現在位置:福岡市ホームの中の創業・産業・ビジネスの中の創業(スタートアップ)の中の創業支援からFirst in Japan! Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project) that Permits a Period of Residence of up to One Year
更新日: 2023年11月29日

First in Japan! Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project) that Permits a Period of Residence of up to One Year


Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project) is a scheme that can be used by local governments that have received planning authorization from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The purpose of this scheme is to increase the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs and to promote new businesses. Recently, Fukuoka City was the first in Japan to be authorized under this scheme.


Foreign entrepreneurs need to receive a status of residence of “Business Manager” (hereinafter “Business Manager Visa”) from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to engage in the operation and management of businesses in Japan. However, in addition to opening an office, it is necessary to fulfill requirements such as hiring at least two full-time staffs or having an amount of capital or a total amount of investments of at least 5 million yen.


A foreign entrepreneur submits a new business implementation plan to Fukuoka City (hereinafter “the City”) in the Startup Visa scheme, and the City makes a judgment on the prospect of the entrepreneur fulfilling the requirements of the Business Manager Visa within one year and issues a confirmation certification. The foreign entrepreneur then submits the required documents, with the confirmation certificate attached, to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The agency then permits the entrepreneur to have a status of residence of “Designated Activities” (hereinafter “Designated Activities Visa”) of up to one year (needs to be renewed after six months) after performing a review. The foreign entrepreneur can then promptly proceed with business inside the City after arriving in Japan or after changing his/her status of residence as long as he/she meets the necessary requirements for the Business Manager Visa within his/her period of residence.


The City provides independent support focused on a startup café, allowing foreign entrepreneurs to satisfy the requirements, and can smoothly change their status of residence from Designated Activities Visa to Business Manager Visa within one year.


We have started accepting applications for the subsidy program for foreigners establishing businesses in Fukuoka City.
   Startup Rent Subsidy (FY2019)(Foreign Entrepreneurship Environment Formation Business Subsidy)



New Applications for Startup Visa

In order to use this scheme to receive the Designated Activities Visa, you will need to receive the new business implementation confirmation. This is achieved by creating and submitting (new application) a new business implementation plan for the business you will conduct in the City.


The new business implementation plan confirmation is when the content of a new business implementation plan application is judged by the City to see whether it has the prospect of meeting the requirements pertaining Business Manager Visa within one year after you arrive in Japan or change your status of residence.


The New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate will be given to foreign entrepreneurs who have received new business implementation confirmation. They will need to apply for the Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan after receiving the certificate.


Renewal Applications for Startup Visa

Foreign entrepreneurs who have received Designated Activities Visa using this scheme need to receive new business implementation renewal confirmation. This is achieved by creating and submitting (renewal application) a new business implementation plan (for renewal) to the City before the expiration of your 6 months period of residence.


The new business implementation plan renewal confirmation is when the content of a new business implementation plan application (for renewal) is judged by the City to see whether it has the prospect of meeting the requirements pertaining to the Business Manager Visa within six months after renewal of the period of residence.


The New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate (for renewal) will be given to foreign entrepreneurs who have received the new business implementation renewal confirmation. You will need to apply to renew your Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan after receiving the certificate.



Eligible Persons

Foreigners who want to start new businesses within Fukuoka City


Eligible Businesses

Businesses applicable to the industries below that are expected to strengthen the international competitiveness of the industries or increase employment in Fukuoka City.

  • Knowledge creation industries (e.g., fintech, semiconductor related, software development, content production, robot related)
  • Health, medical and welfare related industries (e.g., drug development ventures, medical technology development, regenerative medicine, welfare equipment development)
  • Environmental and energy related industries (e.g., greentech, clean energy development, next-generation storage technologies, global information systems)
  • Logistics related industries (e.g., global SCM services, 3PL services, international home delivery, drone logistics development)
  • Trade related industries (e.g., businesses that contribute to the development of overseas sales routes for goods produced in Fukuoka, businesses that utilize the functions of Hakata Port and Fukuoka Airport)

*It is necessary for businesses in trade related industries to be those with novelty or those that greatly contribute to the growth of operators in Fukuoka.


Documents to Be Submitted (For New Application)

Foreigners applying for new business implementation confirmation shall create/prepare and submit all the documents below. Please complete the documents in Japanese.


Documents to Be Submitted (For Renewal Application)

Foreigners applying for new business implementation renewal confirmation shall create/prepare and submit all the documents below. Create these documents with reference to the entry examples (under preparation) and the Q&As. Please complete the documents in Japanese.


Application

  Location: Global Startup Centre
  Address: 1F Fukuoka Growth Next, 2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
  Email address:global@startupcafe.jp
 *For more infomation about the application procedure, please email
 *You must apply your application in person.


Issuance of the New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate

The City will issue a confirmation certificate to foreign entrepreneurs who have received new business implementation confirmation or new business implementation renewal confirmation. A representative will contact you using the contact details you have given on your application form as confirmation is made. Please then come to pick up the certificate from Fukuoka City Hall (14F Company Establishment and University Cooperation Section of the Economics, Tourism and Culture Bureau). Please pay 300 yen using Fukuoka City revenue stamp as the certificate issuance fee when receiving the certificate.


Application for Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Foreign entrepreneurs who have received the new business implementation confirmation certificate or new business implementation confirmation certificate (renewal) shall apply for Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Please inquire directly to the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan for details of the procedures.

Working & Permanent Residence Inspection Department of the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
TEL: 092-717-7596



After receiving Designated Activities Visa

State of Progress Confirmation
Foreign entrepreneurs who received Designated Activities Visa using this scheme will be interviewed (state of progress confirmation) at least once a month by the City and/or parties hired by the City (hereinafter “Fukuoka Employee”) during the period in which they implement their new businesses, so please make sure to attend these. In addition, we may ask for the submission of necessary documents at that time (e.g., contracts relating to office rent or employment of employees, certificate of all recorded matters, articles of incorporation), so please cooperate with this.
Management Diagnosis
Those with insights on starting up and managing businesses (Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants) will perform a business management diagnosis about once every two months for foreign entrepreneurs whose period of residence has been renewed for six months after applying for renewal of Designated Activities Visa. Accordingly, please use this to manage the progress of your business.


Cancellation of New Business Implementation Confirmation

We will cancel your new business implementation confirmation if it is found that the said confirmation has been received due to a false application or other fraudulent acts. Fukuoka Employees will give guidance on returning back to your own country at that time. You will have to follow that.


Support for New Business Implementation

The City provides comprehensive support focused on a global startup center (Startup Café) to enable foreign entrepreneurs to smoothly implement new businesses in the City. For example, we offer advance consultations prior to new applications for Designated Activity Visa and provide supports for renewal applications of visas prior to the expiration of the period of stay or applications to change to Business Manager Visa at the Immigration Bureau. Specifically, we provide information on business plans, offer consultation supports and hold events for foreign entrepreneurs. In addition, lawyers and tax counselors will offer consultations on business startup procedures on an integrated basis every Thursday.