Apply for Japan’s new one year startup visa 2 !!

So, today, I would like to share what kind of documents you are going to need to prepare for the startup visa application and will be discussing its application process (in Tokyo).

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1. Prepare Required Documents

• Application for confirmation of business startup activities
• Plan for business startup activities
• CV
• Copy of passport
• Document that can clarify where you will be residing for 6 months after coming to Japan (e.g. a lease contract)
• Copy of bank certificate

2. Go to Business Development Center TOKYO

Once you complete the preparation of the required documents, you have to go to Business Development Center TOKYO (Business Concierge Tokyo) in order to submit them on your own.

Be careful! Your family is not allowed to submit them on behalf of you. However,  you can also ask an attorney or an administrative scrivener to submit them (In this case, you also have to submit documentation that proves the relationship with the foreign national).

• Business Development Center TOKYO (Business Concierge Tokyo Akasaka Desk)
  Address: JETRO Head Office 7F, Akasaka 1-12-32, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  Working Hour: 9:30am ~ 5:30pm
  TEL: 03-3582-8353
  E-mail: contactus@bdc-tokyo.org
  Web: http://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/bdc_tokyo/english/top/

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3. Confirmation of the Application

Tthe contents of your application documents will be confirmed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In the confirmation, assessments will be made from the perspective of your possibility of attaining the regular “business manager” visa status after the 6-month preparatory period, and the decision will be made upon also considering the views of a third party with expertise in business management (e.g. Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant).

4. Issuance of Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities

After the contents have been confirmed, a Metropolitan Governmental official will be contacting you. Then, you will need to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office to receive Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities.

*If the business startup activities were not able to be confirmed: “Notification on the Results of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities” will be given to you.

5. Application to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residency (Business Manager)

After receiving the Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities, you will also need to apply to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for the Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence (Business Manager).

When your application is authorized by Tokyo, a six-month “Business Manager” visa will be issued in about two weeks. (you have to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to receive it)

*For details on the procedure, inquire at the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.

6. After receiving “Business Manager “status

1. Confirmation of progress in startup activities
2. Support for renewal of period of stay

After you succeed in obtaining  “Business Manager” status, there are two things that you have to pay attention to, confirmation of progress in startup activities and support for renewal of period of stay.

1. Confirmation of progress in startup activities

Those who have utilized this program and received “Business Manager” status from the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, will be subject to confirmation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the progress of startup activities based on the plan for confirmation of business activities.

The confirmation of the progress of startup activities will be conducted three times during the six month period of stay (once every two months). In at least one of the three times, you will be subject to an interview on the progress of startup activities at your office or residence.

For the confirmation, you could be requested to submit documents clarifying your current business situation, such as office lease contracts, staff employment contracts, etc. If the progress is not satisfactory at all, you might be required to leave Japan.

2. Support for renewal of period of stay

Consulting and support for startup activities will be provided by the Business Development Center Tokyo in order to facilitate the renewal of the period of stay after the initial six-month period.

These are the fundamental steps for receiving a startup visa in Japan. If you want to know more about the detail, contact the Tokyo Metropolitan government and the Tokyo Immigration Bureau directly. I hope you will succeed in getting it and will be able to launch your project in Japan. Good luck!