Business Track Record Reviewed at Business Manager Visa Renewal [Licensed Immigration Specialist]

The assumption that "once you have the visa, renewal is easy" is dangerous. Business Manager Visa renewals scrutinize the continuity and stability of the business, the reality of management activities, and the fulfillment of public obligations even more rigorously than the initial application. Since the October 2025 amendment, submission of an activity explanation document has become mandatory in principle, further raising the quality of scrutiny.

Key Points Reviewed at Renewal

Business Manager Visa renewal applications are assessed comprehensively across the following areas:

① Continuity and Stability of the Business

Whether the business has actually continued to operate throughout the most recent period of stay is the most heavily weighted factor. Specifically, the following are verified:

• Trends in revenue, gross profit, and operating profit
• Evidence of genuine business transactions (contracts, invoices, payment records)
• Reasonableness of the future business plan and prospects for improvement

② Fulfillment of Public Payment Obligations

Proper fulfillment of tax payments and social insurance obligations is one of the core requirements of the renewal review.

• Payment status of corporate tax, consumption tax, and withholding income tax
• Application and payment status of health insurance, employees' pension insurance, employment insurance, and workers' accident compensation insurance

③ Reality of Full-Time Employee Employment

Under the new standards introduced by the October 2025 amendment, employing at least one full-time employee is mandatory. The reality of the employment is verified during the renewal review through:

• Employment contract
• Payroll records and wage payment history
• Social insurance enrollment records and residence certificate (jumin-hyo)

Nominal employment — where wages are not actually being paid or the employee has not been enrolled in social insurance — will be discovered. Employment management with genuine substance is required.

④ Operational Substance of Management Activities

Examiners verify whether the business operator personally conducts management activities. If the majority of operations are outsourced to third parties and the applicant does not personally make day-to-day management decisions, this will be judged as having no substantive management or business activities.

In addition, spending more than half of the period of stay outside Japan is evaluated negatively on the grounds that there are no substantive activities being conducted in Japan.

⑤ Continued Securing of a Business Office

At the time of renewal, the applicant must still have a genuine business office secured on an ongoing basis. Switching to a home address or a virtual office is not permitted.

Post-October 2025 Amendment Renewals: The Activity Explanation Document

Since July 2025, submission of an "Activity Explanation Document" (katsudo naiyou setsumei bunsho) has become mandatory in principle for Business Manager Visa renewal applications.

This document provides a specific and quantitative account of "what management and operational activities were conducted during the most recent period of stay."

What to Include

• Revenue and expenditure results and trends during the most recent period
• Major clients / business partners, nature of transactions, and transaction track record
• Current staffing status of full-time employee and their role
• Status of Japanese language operational structure
• Status of obtaining and maintaining required permits and licenses
• Business plan and improvement outlook for the coming year

Treatment During the Transitional Period (Through October 16, 2028)

For those already residing in Japan on a Business Manager Visa as of October 16, 2025, a transitional provision applies to renewals through October 16, 2028.

During this period, even if the new standards (capital of 30 million yen, at least one full-time employee, etc.) have not yet been fully met, whether to approve the renewal will be determined by comprehensively considering the following conditions:

• Whether the business is in good condition
• Whether corporate tax and other payment obligations are being properly fulfilled
• Whether there is a prospect of meeting the new standards by the time of the next renewal application

Renewals With a Loss-Making Financial Result: The Deciding Factors

Whether a renewal is approved when the business has reported a loss depends entirely on the explanation of the reason for the loss and the business's future prospects.

Loss Patterns More Likely to Lead to Approval

• A loss in the first year or startup period due to initial investment, with revenue showing steady growth
• A temporary loss due to capital investment or business expansion, with the business's substance and future clearly explained
• The business reports a loss, but there are genuine transactions and a specific improvement plan going forward

Patterns More Likely to Lead to Rejection

• Revenue is near zero with no substantive business operations to confirm
• Revenue and transactions have continuously declined over multiple accounting periods
• The business is in a state of insolvency with no improvement prospects demonstrable
• Executive compensation is conspicuously low (benchmark: below approximately 180,000 yen per month), leaving the operator's own livelihood unstable

Common Causes of Rejection at Renewal

Here is a summary of common renewal rejection causes seen in practice:

• Business revenue is nearly zero and no substantive management activities can be confirmed
• Outstanding or delinquent tax payments or social insurance premiums
• More than half of the period of stay was spent outside Japan
• Full-time employee employment is nominal, with no actual work record
• The business office has been relocated or closed and is not secured as of the application date
• The activity explanation document is abstract with no figures or supporting evidence
• Executive compensation is set significantly below the minimum wage

Timing of the Renewal Application

Renewal applications can be filed from 3 months before the period of stay expiration date. The review typically takes 1 to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

The core of the Business Manager Visa renewal review is confirming the reality of whether the business is actually operating. Financial statements and tax filings alone are not enough — evidence of actual transactions, genuine employment substance, and a complete activity explanation document are all required to pass the renewal review.

Since the October 2025 amendment, the quality of scrutiny has increased, and simply assembling formal documents is no longer sufficient. Building a record of business results from an early stage — well in advance of the renewal application — is the single most effective risk mitigation strategy.

If you have any concerns, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration specialist approximately 3 months before your period of stay expires.

This article is based on the Immigration Services Agency's "Amendment to the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Standards Relating to the Status of Residence 'Business Manager' (effective October 16, 2025 / Reiwa 7)" and practical experience. Review standards vary depending on individual circumstances. Always verify the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency's official website.