Accepting applications for the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project (AKA“Startup Visa”)

　Osaka city has set the Startup Visa Support Desk at Osaka Business Develpoment Agency,and accept applications for business startup plan related to the "Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project".

　The Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project is implemented by local governments (“Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organizations”), with management support plans certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The project is intended to expand acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs in Japanese society and to promote entrepreneurship. Osaka City was certified on March 27,2019, and became a Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization.

　Normally, if foreign people want to open their own business in Japan, in order to acquire certification for the “Business Manager” residence status, they need to meet various criteria when applying to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA). These criteria include things like opening up an office, employing one or more full-time employees, AND ensuring that the amount of capital or total investment is at least 30 million yen, and so on.

　This Osaka city startup visa  project allows these entrepreneurs to go to  the Startup Visa Support Desk at Osaka Business Develpoment Agency, receive assistance※1) in producing a business startup plan, which they then submit to the city. If the city determines that within one year the entrepreneur will be able to meet the criteria for the Business Manager visa, a confirmation certificate is issued.  Then if the entrepreneur submits this certificate and the other necessary documents to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) and their application is approved, they will be granted the “Designated Activities” status of residence for one year (up to a maximum of two years if renewal is granted). ※2)

※1) Please make sure to fill out all the items yourself before receiving support.

※2) Due to the amendment to the system, the maximum period of stay has been changed from up to one year to up to two years starting in 2025.

Foreign nationals who are planning to start a business in Osaka CITY within a year

（Foreign nationals who are already residing in Japan under another resident status can also apply to this project.）

(1) Growth Manufacturing

(2) Industries related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (e.g., IoT, innovative technology businesses)

(3) Green Energy

(4) Healthcare and Life Sciences

(5) Tourism, Sports, Culture, and Urban Development

≪Required documents≫

The following documents must be submitted with the application.

Applicants must write the following applications in Japanese.

1　Application for Confirmation of Business Activities

2　Business plan sheets

3　Supplementary materials for the Application for Business Activities

4　Applicant's resume

5　Pledge

6　Copy of applicant's passport

7　A document that shows the applicant's place of residence for one year after arriving in Japan/changing visa status (copy of a rental contract, application for rental contract,etc.)

8　A document that shows the cost of the applicant's accommodation for one year after arriving in Japan/changing visa status (copy of the applicant's bank book.etc.)

9　When applying, if the applicant falls under any category listed under the Notification, Article 5:6(1)(v) Sections I and RO, verifying documents are required to be presented.(e.g., certificate of graduation, certificate of employment)

10　(If an applicant has already been approved for the Foreign Entrepreneurs Promotion Project in another city) A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility or a copy of the Certificate of Confirmation of Startup Activities issued by the local government

  If a foreign entrepreneur who has been granted the “Designated activities” status of residence through this system wishes to extend their residence period, they are required to have their Business Activity Plan (for renewal) confirmed before the expiration of their one-year period of stay.

Confirmation of the renewal of the Business Activity Plan refers to the screening of determining whether the contents of the submitted plan (for renewal) and related documents are likely to meet the requirements for the “Business Manager” status of residence. Please fill out the documents below and submit them.

≪Required documents≫

1 Application for Confirmation of Business Activities

2 Business plan sheets

3 Supplementary materials for the Application for Confirmation of Business Activities

4 Copy of applicant’s passport

5 A document that shows the applicant’s place of residence for six months after renewing the visa (copy of a rental contract, application for rental contract,etc.)

6 A document that clarifies the cost of the applicant's accommodation for the six months after renewing the visa (copy of the applicant's bank book,etc.)

　The "Startup Visa Support Desk" both accept the application of the business plan sheets and provide support for the creation of a plan document needed for the above Osaka City Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project. 

※All application documents should be filled out in Japanese.

※If you include additional documents in languages other than Japanese, you are requested to also attach a Japanese translation.

Please contact the support desk using the contact form.

 OIH（https://forms.gle/2QipwCmKAtKTZ13A7）

 1 The applicant

 2 A lawyer or an administrative scrivener who has notified the Director-General of the Immigration Services Agency having jurisdiction over his/her location via the bar association or administrative scrivener association to which he/she belongs.

※If the applicant is outside of Japan, a person who has been entrusted by the applicant

※If the applicant is a corporation, a staff member of said corporation.

※Please submit documents that show your relationship with the foreign national and documents that prove that you are in that position.

　After confirming that there are no deficiencies in the required documents and hearing opinions from those who have knowledge about starting and managing a business, we screen them whether you can meet the requirements to get “business manager” status of residence.

 In the confirmation screening, as a general rule, face-to-face interviews will be conducted with the applicant himself/herself.

※We will respond in Japanese, so if you do not speak Japanese, please prepare an interpreter.

　A confirmation certificate will be issued to the applicant who has received confirmation of business plan sheets. At the time of issuance, we will contact the information provided on the application form, so please come to the city office to receive it.

  If the applicant passes the screening, they can get certification from the City of Osaka. Certification is valid for three months. Within three months, go to the Immigration Services Agency and apply for the “Designated Activities” status of residence. If you have any questions about application procedures, please contact the Immigration Services Agency. 

　≪The Immigration Services Agency≫

　After you get the visa from the Immigration Services Agency, contact the "Startup Visa Support Desk at Osaka Business Development Agency" as soon as possible.

≪Required documents≫

1 Notification of Acquisition (Renewal) of Status of Residence "Designated Activities"

2 Copy of residence card

※If you're waiting for issuance of a residence card, please submit a copy of your passport（Check the landing permit stamp）.

　Once you obtain a startup visa, you must have a monthly interview with us. If we observe that you are not conducting any activities related to your business, or you do not come to the interview, we may revoke the confirmation of your Business Activities.

　Through these interviews we will provide support for your business startup activities in order to allow you to meet the criteria for the standard “Business Manager” status when you renew your residence status after one year. The interviews will allow us to check on the progress of your startup activities, answer any questions you might have, and soon. As the need arises, you can also talk with another specialist such as a small business consultant or tax accountant.

　In addition, we cannot provide support for other aspects of daily life, so please contact a consultation desk for foreigners at the Osaka International House Foundation.

〇HP：Information Counter for Foreign Residents

〇Reception hours

・Monday-Friday: 9:00-19:00

・Saturdays-Sundays and public holidays:9:00-17:30

※closed during the year-end and New Year holidays

　(December 29th ~ January 3rd).

〇Telephone number:06-6773-6533（English is also available.）

　If there are any changes to the contents of the Business Activity Plan, contact the "Startup Visa Support Desk at Osaka Business Development Agency" or tell us when we meet at the monthly interview.(ex: changing your address, telephone number, mail address)

≪Required documents≫

1 Application of Changes

2 Documents to confirm modifications

　If we find proof of any false declarations or wrongdoing, we will revoke the certificate of confirmation. In such cases, you will be required to return the certificate of confirmation to the City of Osaka immediately.