Best Business Visa Lawyers in Akishima

About Business Visa Law in Akishima, Japan

Business visa law in Akishima follows national Japanese immigration rules, first and foremost the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and related guidelines. Akishima is a city in Tokyo Metropolis, so national procedures for visas, Certificates of Eligibility and residence-status changes are handled by central authorities and regional immigration bureaus. The most relevant residence categories for people conducting business are Business Manager - for those starting or managing a business in Japan - and short-term Business Visitor status - for brief business activities such as meetings, negotiating contracts and attending conferences. Other categories that sometimes apply to business people include Intra-company Transferee, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Highly Skilled Professional. Local steps such as company registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau, municipal resident registration at the Akishima City Office and tax and social insurance enrollment must also be completed in parallel.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer experienced in immigration and business law can help in many common situations. These include preparing a strong application for a Business Manager visa or Certificate of Eligibility, responding to requests for additional evidence, appealing refusals, handling urgent cases such as detention or deportation procedures, and advising on corporate structure, shareholder agreements and employment contracts to ensure compliance with Japanese company, tax and labor laws. Lawyers can represent you in administrative appeals and court if needed. Even when a bengoshi (licensed attorney) is not strictly required, legal advice can reduce delays, lower the risk of refusal and ensure your business setup and operations meet regulatory requirements across competing authorities.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal points you should know when seeking a business visa in Akishima include the following.

Immigration rules - Visa categories, permitted activities and procedural steps are governed by national immigration law. A Certificate of Eligibility is often necessary if you apply from abroad, and status changes or extensions are processed by regional immigration bureaus. Temporary business visitors are not allowed to engage in paid work unless a specific permission is granted.

Company registration - Starting a company requires registration under the Companies Act with the Legal Affairs Bureau. In Tokyo you will deal with the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau for registration. Corporate documents, company seal registration and evidence of an operational office are commonly required for immigration purposes.

Office and capital considerations - Immigration authorities typically expect proof of a real office in Japan and business viability. A frequently cited practical benchmark is around 5 million yen in capital or hiring at least two full-time employees, but this is guideline-level, not a strict statutory threshold. Authorities look at the totality of evidence in each case.

Municipal and tax obligations - After arrival or company formation you must notify Akishima City Office of residence within the required period, register for national health insurance and pension, and register the company with the appropriate tax office. Labor and social insurance enrollment is mandatory once you employ staff.

Employment and labor law - If your business employs people in Japan, you must comply with labor standards, minimum wage requirements, working-hour rules and social insurance obligations. Employment contracts are commonly required in Japanese and should meet statutory standards.

Penalties and compliance - Unauthorized work, overstaying, providing false documents or failing to comply with statutory business requirements can lead to visa refusal, revocation, fines or deportation. Timely legal advice reduces these risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Business Manager visa and who is it for?

The Business Manager visa is a residence status for people who will start, invest in or manage a business in Japan. Typical applicants include company founders, branch managers and investors who will run business operations from within Japan. The visa allows long-term residence for the purpose of managing a business in Japan.

How does a Business Visitor or Temporary Visitor differ from a Business Manager visa?

A Business Visitor or short-term Temporary Visitor status is for short-term activities such as meetings, attending conferences, consulting or contract negotiations. It does not allow paid employment in Japan. The Business Manager status allows you to live in Japan and run or manage a company here. Which status you need depends on the duration and nature of your activities.

What are the main requirements to obtain a Business Manager visa?

Major evidence usually includes a clear business plan, proof of office space in Japan, company registration documents, bank statements or proof of capital, and evidence of employment or management duties. Immigration will also examine the viability of the business, whether it creates employment in Japan and whether the applicant will be resident in Japan to carry out management duties.

Is there a fixed minimum capital requirement to start a company for visa purposes?

There is no single statutory minimum capital in the immigration law, but immigration authorities often look for capital and business scale that realistically support operations. A common practical benchmark cited by officials and practitioners is around 5 million yen to demonstrate viability, though smaller capital can succeed if counterbalanced by clear contracts, clients, projections and evidence of business activity.

Do I need a physical office in Akishima to get the visa?

Immigration authorities usually require proof of an office or business address in Japan. A home office may be accepted in some cases, but the address must be verifiable and appropriate for the business. For Akishima specifically, the locality does not change the national requirement for a legitimate business address, and rental contracts or sublease agreements are often examined.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility and do I need one?

A Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, is an official document issued by Japanese immigration indicating that the applicant meets the entry requirements for a given residence status. If you apply for a long-term visa from outside Japan, obtaining a COE first usually speeds up the passport visa issuance at a Japanese embassy or consulate. You can also apply for a status change or COE from within Japan in some situations, but procedures differ.

How long does the visa and COE process usually take?

Processing times vary by case complexity and the workload of the immigration office. A COE can take several weeks to a few months. Visa issuance at an embassy after a COE is generally quicker, often a few business days to a few weeks. Change-of-status or extensions inside Japan can also take several weeks. Start early and expect variation depending on documentation quality.

What happens if my visa or COE application is refused?

If refused, the immigration authority will provide a refusal notice. You can consult a lawyer about reapplying with stronger evidence, submitting additional explanations or filing an administrative appeal in cases where refusal is contestable. Timely legal advice can identify weaknesses in the original application and suggest proper remedies.

Can my family join me in Japan on this visa?

In many cases, family members can join the primary visa holder through dependent visas or separate residence statuses. Spouses and children often qualify for "Dependent" status, but eligibility and documentation requirements vary. A lawyer can help prepare the necessary evidence and explain living and schooling arrangements in Akishima and Tokyo.

Can I change my visa status after arriving in Japan?

Yes, you can apply for a change of status at the regional immigration bureau if your planned activities change. For example, some foreign nationals enter on a different status and later apply for Business Manager if they establish a company. Changing status requires submitting supporting documents and can take several weeks. Do not work outside the scope of your current status while awaiting approval.

Additional Resources

Useful organizations and authorities to contact for information and assistance include the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Justice, the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau for company registration, Akishima City Office for municipal resident registration and local procedures, the National Tax Agency and the local tax office for corporate and personal tax matters, the Social Insurance Office for pension and health insurance enrollment, Hello Work for employment-related questions, JETRO and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry for business support, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and the Tokyo Bar Association to find a licensed lawyer, and licensed administrative scriveners or gyoseishoshi for administrative filings.

Next Steps

1. Gather core documents - passport, résumé, business plan, proof of funds, rental or office agreements and corporate documents if you already have a company.

2. Decide where to apply - whether you will apply from abroad with a Certificate of Eligibility or apply for a status change from inside Japan.

3. Get a consultation - schedule an initial meeting with an immigration lawyer or a qualified administrative scrivener to review documents, strategy and timeline. Make sure the adviser is familiar with business visas and Tokyo-area procedures.

4. Prepare company and local registrations - register the company at the Legal Affairs Bureau if required, set up bank accounts, enroll in tax and social insurance programs and notify Akishima City Office if you will live in the city.

5. Submit the application - file the COE or visa application, or apply for a change of status at the regional immigration office, and be ready to provide timely additional evidence if requested.

6. Follow up and stay compliant - once granted, maintain compliance with immigration conditions, file timely extensions, comply with tax and labor obligations and consult a lawyer promptly if your circumstances change or if you receive a request or refusal from authorities.