This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
What matters is not so much having no sales, or low social insurance contributions, in themselves, as whether you can explain the character of the funds that are making up the shortfall and how they fit with your tax position. Make clear whether the remittance is director's remuneration or a loan, and complete any tax return you need to file before you go into the application for extension. An application made while a return is still outstanding risks being regarded as a failure to perform a public obligation.
An enquiry about whether no sales in the 1st year after incorporation, a large remittance from the home country, and social insurance contributions at the minimum amount will tell against an extension.
What is asked about is not the remittance itself, but what the money came in as, and whether it fits with your tax return.
Being enrolled at all counts in your favour at the extension, and if you can show separately that you can support yourself, it does not lead straight to a denial.
Being enrolled in social insurance (health insurance and employees' pension insurance) at all counts in your favour at the extension. That the contributions are at the minimum amount does, however, mean that your director's remuneration is currently set low. Whether you can live in Japan on a stable footing on that amount of remuneration — whether you can support yourself — is checked. It also raises a doubt as to whether there is income that has not been declared.
If you can prove, with copies of bank passbooks and the like, that you also have money sent from your home country or sufficient savings, contributions at the minimum amount will not lead straight to a denial. It is important, however, to show in your business plan going forward the prospect of raising the amount of remuneration.
Having no sales in the 1st year after incorporation is within what can be accepted, if there is a reasonable explanation.
First of all, make the tax return relating to the 4 million yen (400万円) remittance your top priority and put it in order. If you apply while it is still unfiled, you risk being suspected of holding funds that are not transparent. Please put your immediate tax payments and filings in order before you go into the extension.
For those already residing under 経営・管理, transitional measures lasting 3 years from the date it came into force are provided.
The ministerial ordinance setting the 上陸許可基準 (criteria for landing permission) for 在留資格「経営・管理」 has been amended and came into force on 16 October 2025 (令和7年10月16日). Those already residing under 経営・管理 are treated as follows.
Even if you moved across from the startup visa, the way is open if you explain carefully what you have actually been doing. Do not rush: put your tax payments and filings in order first, and then go into the extension.
It is within what can be accepted, if there is a reasonable explanation. Please explain concretely, in a written explanation, how the preparations took time.
What matters is not the remittance itself, but whether you can explain its character — whether it is director's remuneration or a loan — and how it fits with your tax return.
No. Show that you can support yourself with money sent to you and with savings, and show in your business plan the prospect of raising the amount of remuneration.
Applications for extension made before 16 October 2028 (令和10年10月16日) fall under the transitional measures. Applications after that must meet the amended criteria.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.