Business Manager Visa vs Highly Skilled Professional
| Business Manager Visa | Highly Skilled Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | No education requirement | Points-based (degree is a major scorer) |
| Experience / exam | Management experience or degree (2025 rules) + ¥30M capital | Points-based (career scores) |
| Japanese | Japanese-ability requirement added in 2025 (see visa page) | None; N1/N2 adds points |
| Family | Spouse & children (Dependent visa) | Family + working spouse; parents conditional |
| Work rights | Running your own business | Own field + composite activities |
| Period of stay | 5y / 3y / 1y / 6m / 4m / 3m | Flat 5 years |
| Renewal | Yes, no limit | Yes, no limit |
| Changing employer | Not applicable | New certification required |
| Road to PR | Standard route (10 years incl. 5 working) | As fast as 1–3 years (points fast track) |
This table is a simplified overview verified against official sources on the linked visa pages — each page cites the specific Immigration Services Agency documents per requirement. Always confirm with those sources before acting.