Financial threshold
—
no minimum listed
Stay
24
months
Application fee
$40
Tax
Worldwide
Japan progressive income tax (5-45%)
Overview
- Country
- Japan
- Program
- Japan Startup Visa
- Type
- Startup
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 24 months
- Max duration
- 24 months
2-year preparatory visa for foreign entrepreneurs to set up a business in Japan before meeting full Business Manager Visa requirements.
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18+
- Criminal record check required
- Health check not required
- Health insurance not required
- Endorsement Committee
Work rights
- Employment not allowed
- Self-employment allowed
- Own a business allowed
- Work permit included
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Parents allowed
- No
Benefits and mobility
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare access granted
- Must be primary residence required
Tax
- Tax regime
- Worldwide
- Regime name
- Japan progressive income tax (5-45%)
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Capital gains taxed
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- in country
- Processing time
- 30–90 days
- Apply from abroad
- No
Notes
Expanded nationwide January 2025 with 2-year validity (doubled from 1 year). No physical office, capital, or employee requirements during preparatory period. ~50% transition rate to Business Manager Visa. Must apply through participating municipality.
Also in Japan
Japan also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers