Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program (Startup Visa)

To start a business in Japan, foreign entrepreneurs must first obtain the residence status of "Business Manager". To acquire this status, several requirements must be met, including employing at least one full-time staff member residing in Japan, establishing a business office, and having capital or a total investment amount of at least 30 million yen, among other conditions.
The Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program (commonly known as the "Startup Visa") aims to expand the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs and promote business creation. Under this program, local governments and private entities certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry manage and support the business preparation activities of foreign entrepreneurs. In return, the requirement to obtain the residence status of "Business Manager" can be deferred for up to two years. During this period, foreign entrepreneurs may stay in Japan under the "Designated Activities" residence status while preparing to establish their business.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Website: [Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program]

Further Information
The Mie Prefectural Government(hereinafter “the MPG”)  has received certification from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and launched the "Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program" in June 2019, creating an environment that makes it easier for foreign nationals to start businesses.
Foreign entrepreneurs aiming to start a business in Mie can obtain the "Designated Activities" residence status by completing the procedures below for business preparation, allowing them to stay in Japan for up to two years (initially one year, with two possible extensions of six months each).
 

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who aim to start a business in Mie and are expected to obtain the "Business Manager" residence status within one year.
 

Eligible Business Fields

Eligible fields are those that contribute to the development of Mie Prefecture's industries, and ultimately to strengthening Japan's international competitiveness and forming a base for international economic activities.
（１）IoT and AI-related businesses
【e.g. software development, content creation, new services that integrate hardware, etc.】
（２）Food-related businesses
【e.g. businesses that utilize products from Mie Prefecture or products from the foreign entrepreneur's home country, etc.】
（３）Tourism-related industries
【e.g. businesses that attract international tourists, etc.】
（４）Next-generation energy-related industries
【e.g. clean energy development, provision of products and services related to next-generation energy storage technologies, etc.】
（５）Next-generation healthcare-related businesses
【e.g. pharmaceutical startups, development of medical and welfare devices, health management and disease diagnostic services, etc.】
（６）Lifestyle-related service businesses
【e.g. delivery services utilizing new technologies, etc.】
（７）Trade-related industries
【e.g. businesses that help expand overseas sales channels for products from Mie Prefecture, etc.】
 

New Applications

To utilize this program and obtain the "Designated Activities" residence status, applicants must submit documents such as a Business Startup Plan Form to the MPG (new application) and receive a Certificate of Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan.
After receiving this certificate, the applicant must personally apply for the "Designated Activities" residence status at the Nagoya Immigration Services Bureau or its Yokkaichi Port Branch Office.
 

Process for New Applications

① Submission of application documents (Application for confirmation of the Business Startup Plan)
Please prepare the following documents in Japanese and have the applicant submit them in person to the submission office listed below. Identity verification will be conducted at the time of submission, therefore submissions by post are generally not accepted.
The confirmation of the Business Startup Plan is a process in which the submitted plan and related documents are reviewed to determine whether the applicant is expected to meet the requirements for the "Business Manager" residence status within one year after landing in Japan or after changing their residence status.

【Required Documents】(Each form is available via the links on the right.)

1. Application for the Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan (Form No. 1)
2. Business Startup Plan Form (Form No. 1-2)
3. Business Startup Plan Progress Schedule (Form No. 1-3)
4. Applicant's Resume/CV (Form No. 1-4)
5. Written Pledge (Form No. 1-5)
6. Copy of the applicant's passport
7. Documents showing the applicant's address for one year after landing in Japan or after changing their residence status
   (e.g. a copy of a rental agreement)
8. Documents showing the applicant's living expenses during the one-year period after landing or after changing residence status, as well as travel expenses to return home if it becomes difficult to continue the startup activities
   (e.g. a copy of the applicant's bankbook/bank statement)
9. Documents certifying that the applicant meets either of the conditions (イ) or (ロ)　specified in Public Notice No. 5, Section 6 (1)⑤
   (e.g. certificate of registered matters, degree certificate, etc.)
10. Any other documents deemed necessary by the Governor

【Submission Address】
Please submit the documents to the address listed under "Contact Information for this page" at the bottom of the page.

② Issuance of the Certificate of Confirmation (the MPG)
The MPG will review the submitted documents and, based on the opinions of knowledgeable experts, determine whether the requirements specified in the public notice are met. If approved, the Certificate of Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan will be issued to the applicant.

③ Application for Residence Status
The applicant must personally apply for the "Designated Activities" residence status at the Nagoya Immigration Services Bureau or its Yokkaichi Port Branch Office, attaching the certificate issued in step ②.

④ Obtaining the "Designated Activities" Residence Status
After obtaining the "Designated Activities" residence status (valid for one year), please submit a Report on Acquisition of Residence Status (Form No. 7) within five days.
(The form is available via the link below.)
　　Form No.7
 

Important Notes

・During the startup preparation period, the applicant must secure sufficient funds in advance for living expenses and for travel costs to return to their home country if it becomes difficult to continue the startup activities. (The MPG will verify this through the application documents.)
・Part-time work or other similar activities are not permitted during the startup preparation period.
 

Renewal Applications

Applicants who have obtained the "Designated Activities" residence status through this program and wish to renew their period of stay must submit documents such as the Business Startup Plan Form (for renewal) to the MPG before the expiration of their six-month period of stay (renewal application) and receive a Certificate of Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan (for renewal).
After receiving this certificate, the applicant must personally apply for a renewal of the "Designated Activities" residence status at the Nagoya Immigration Services Bureau or its Yokkaichi Port Branch Office.
(The period of stay may be renewed up to two times.)
 

Process for Renewal Applications

① Submission of Application Documents (Application for Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan [Renewal])
Please prepare the following documents in Japanese and have the applicant submit them in person to the submission office listed below.
(Submissions by post are generally not accepted.)
The confirmation of the renewed Business Startup Plan involves reviewing whether the submitted plan and related documents indicate that the applicant is likely to meet the requirements for the "Business Manager" residence status within six months after the renewal of the period of stay.

【Required Documents】(Forms A–C are available via the links on the right.)

1. Application for Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan (for renewal) (Form No. 2)
2. Business Startup Plan Form (for renewal) (Form No. 2-2)
3. Business Startup Plan Progress Schedule (for renewal) (Form No. 2-3)
4. Documents showing the applicant's address for the six months after the renewal of the period of stay
   (e.g. a copy of a rental agreement)
5. Documents showing the applicant's living expenses for the six months after the renewal of the period of stay and travel expenses to return to their home country if it becomes difficult to continue the startup activities
   (e.g. a copy of the applicant's bankbook/bank statement)
6. Any other documents deemed necessary by the Governor

【Submission Address】
Please submit the documents to the address listed under "Contact Information for this page" at the bottom of the page.

② Issuance of the Certificate of Confirmation (The MPG)
The MPG will review the submitted documents and, based on the opinions of knowledgeable experts, determine whether the requirements specified in the public notice are met. If approved, the Certificate of Confirmation of the Business Startup Plan (for renewal) will be issued to the applicant.

③ Application for Residence Status
The applicant must personally apply for the renewal of the “Designated Activities” residence status at the Nagoya Immigration Services Bureau or its Yokkaichi Port Branch Office, attaching the certificate issued in step ②.

④ Obtaining the "Designated Activities" Residence Status
After obtaining the "Designated Activities" residence status (valid for six months), please submit a Report on Acquisition of Residence Status (Form No. 7) within five days.
(The form is available via the link below.)
　Form No.7

Support for Startup Preparation Activities

The MPG provides applicants with advance consultations when submitting new or renewal applications for the "Designated Activities" residence status. After the status is obtained, the prefecture also conducts regular meetings (once per month) to monitor progress.
In addition, Mie Prefecture offers startup support, daily life support, and financial planning support in cooperation with the organizations listed below. If you have any difficulties, please contact the inquiry office below.

【Partner Organizations for Startup Support and Financial Planning】
・Mie Industry Support Center (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) (External website)
・Japan Finance Corporation Co., Ltd. (External website)
・Mie Credit Guarantee Corporation (External website)

【Partner Organizations for Daily Life Support】
・Mie Prefecture Housing Support Liaison Council (Mie Prefecture website)
・Mie Foreign Resident Consultation Support Center "MieCo" (External website)
 

■Guidelines, Q&A, and Business Flow

・Implementation Guidelines for the Mie Prefecture Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program
・Q&A on the Mie Prefecture Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program
・Flow of the Mie Prefecture Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Program