Startup Visa — Japan

The Japan startup visa allows you to prepare for business establishment in specific government-designated zones.

It operates under a defined immigration status and follows a formal application process with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Purpose and scope

The startup visa supports preparation activities for establishing a business in Japan.

You use it to set up operations before transitioning to a standard work-based status such as Business Manager.

This visa does not grant open-ended work rights.

It covers activities directly tied to prepare your company, such as planning, arranging facilities, and organizing your business structure within the approved framework.

You apply under a status classified as Designated Activities.

The Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) reviews your Form Visa Application and decides whether to grant this status.

Approval is not automatic.

Filing the startup visa form does not guarantee that ISA will issue your residence status.

The startup visa differs from other statuses:

You must align your activities strictly with business establishment.

Any work outside that scope may violate your status.

Where it's available

You can apply only in designated National Strategic Special Zones.

These zones operate under special government authorization to accept startup visa applicants.

If your planned business location falls outside these zones, you cannot use this visa route.

You would need to consider another status, such as Business Manager, if eligible.

Before filing, confirm that:

• Your business will operate in a designated zone
• The local authority in that zone supports startup visa applications
• Your activities match the approved preparation purpose

ISA processes the immigration side of the application.

However, availability depends on the specific zone’s designation.

Because availability is location-specific, always verify the current list of eligible zones with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Form authority

The startup visa uses an official form titled “Startup Visa.”

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) administers and reviews this form.

You submit the form as part of your Visa Application for a residence status under Designated Activities.

ISA evaluates whether your planned activities meet the preparation purpose.

Key points about form authority:

• Form name: Startup Visa
• Administering authority: Immigration Services Agency (ISA)
• Status category: Designated Activities
• Outcome: Approval or denial at ISA’s discretion

Submitting the form does not create legal status by itself.

ISA must formally grant your residence status before you can begin activities in Japan under this category.

You pay a government fee when the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) issues your startup visa.

Standard processing typically takes 1 to 3 months, but timing depends on your category and where you apply.

Visa fees

ISA charges a fee when it issues your visa.

As of February 2026, the issuance fee for a multiple-entry visa is ¥6,000.

You do not pay this amount at the planning stage; you pay it when ISA approves and issues the visa.

Fee rules apply to statuses granted under Designated Activities for startup purposes and may also apply when you later change status to Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, Long-term Resident, or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

If you apply to change your status of residence after entering Japan, confirm the current fee schedule directly with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Fees can change, and ISA publishes the official amounts.

Standard processing window

Under standard handling, startup visa processing takes 1 to 3 months as of March 2026.

This timeframe applies to applications reviewed under regular procedures.

It does not guarantee approval within that period, and it does not include time you spend preparing documents.

You should plan your business timeline around this 1–3 month window.

If you intend to transition from Designated Activities to Business Manager status, factor in additional review time for the new application.

ISA controls adjudication and issues the final decision.

Variations and verification

processing times vary based on:

• Your visa category
• Your location of application
• The specific status requested (for example, Designated Activities vs. Business Manager)

Applications filed inside Japan may move on a different schedule than those filed abroad.

Transitions to statuses such as Highly Skilled Professional or Long-term Resident can follow separate review tracks.

ISA may also adjust timelines based on workload.

You must verify current processing times directly with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) before you submit your Form Visa Application.

Do not rely on informal estimates.

Always confirm the most recent fee amounts and processing windows with ISA before finalizing your business launch schedule.

You must meet entry inspection rules and maintain proper travel documents to activate your Japan startup visa status.

Immigration officers from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) make the final decision at the airport or seaport, not the visa sticker alone.

Port-of-entry and entry conditions

A visa does not guarantee admission to Japan.

An ISA officer examines you at the port of entry and decides whether to grant landing permission.

You should carry documents that support the purpose of your stay under your intended status, such as Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, Designated Activities, Long-term Resident, or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

Be prepared to present:

• Your return or onward ticket
• Your accommodation details in Japan
• Proof that you can financially support yourself
• Documents linked to your approved Form Visa Application

If the officer finds inconsistencies between your declared activities and your granted status, you may face refusal of entry.

Your answers must align with the status issued by ISA.

ISA handles landing examinations and status determinations in Japan.

You should review official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) before travel.

Passport validity and visa pages

Your passport must remain valid for the entire period of your intended stay in Japan.

If it expires during your planned stay, you risk denial of boarding or entry.

You also need sufficient blank pages for visa placement and entry stamps.

Lack of space can delay or prevent processing at the airport.

Before travel, confirm:

• Passport validity covers your full stay
• At least one blank visa page is available
• Your passport is undamaged and machine-readable

Airlines may deny boarding if your passport does not meet these standards.

ISA officers can also refuse landing permission if documentation is incomplete or invalid.

Check your passport well before departure to avoid last-minute disruption to your startup plans.

Act early and make sure you’re dealing with the correct Japanese authority. Many issues come from timing errors or filing your Form Visa Application at the wrong location.

Timing and embassy guidance

Plan your Visa Application well before you travel. Submit it to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence at least 2–3 weeks before departure.

Processing usually takes about 5 business days. It can take longer during busy periods.

If you plan to change from a startup-related status to Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, Designated Activities, Specified Skilled Worker (i), or Long-term Resident, confirm procedures with ISA. ISA handles status changes and extensions inside Japan.

Get help right away if your timeline is tight, your business launch date is set, or investors need proof of status by a certain date.

If you're unsure where to apply

Apply only at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Filing at the wrong location leads to rejection.

Don’t pick a consulate based on convenience or your travel route. Jurisdiction is based on where you legally live.

Check these points:

• Confirm your registered residential address
• Verify which embassy or consulate covers that address
• Make sure your application matches that jurisdiction before you submit

If you’re unsure whether your case involves a Visa Application abroad or a status change with ISA, get guidance before filing. Incorrect filing can delay your startup plans and affect your ability to move into Business Manager or other long-term statuses.

Most denials come from errors you can control: inconsistent details in your forms and missing long-term authorization documents. ISA reviews your file for accuracy and proper status documentation before it looks at your business plan.

Incomplete or inconsistent information

ISA checks every entry in your Form Visa Application against your passport and supporting records. If your name spelling, date of birth, passport number, or address history doesn’t match exactly, the officer can reject the filing.

Even small discrepancies can raise doubts about credibility. Use the precise details shown in your passport and official documents, including spacing and name order.

Problem areas include:

• Different spellings of your name across forms
• Mismatched passport numbers or expiration dates
• Inconsistent employment or residence history
• Blank fields left unanswered

Review every page before you submit. If you plan to change to a status such as Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, or Specified Skilled Worker (i) later, inconsistencies in your initial startup filing can complicate things.

Missing long-term documentation

Many startup visa applicants intend to stay beyond a short-term period. For long-term statuses, ISA generally requires a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) issued in advance.

If you apply without the required CoE for a long-term category, ISA can deny the application outright. This applies when you plan to transition to statuses such as:

• Business Manager
• Highly Skilled Professional
• Long-term Resident
• Designated Activities (long-term categories)
• Dependent statuses linked to your stay

You need to secure the CoE through the proper channel before submitting your long-term Visa Application. ISA won’t overlook this requirement, even if everything else is in order.