Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion & Support Desk(Support of “Startup Visa”) Accepting applications for the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project (AKA “Startup Visa”)
Let’s Start a Business in Osaka!!! ～What is the “Startup Visa”??～
We provide information on the Startup Visa system in Osaka City, through this YouTube video titled “What is the Startup Visa??”.
From August 1, 2023, the Startup Visa Support Desk was transferred from Business Innovation Center Osaka to Osaka Innovation Hub(7th Floor, Grand Front Osaka Tower-C)
The Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project is an effort by regional and 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 into Japanese society of foreign entrepreneurs and to promote enterprise. 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 at least two full-time employees, having an amount of capital or total investment of at least 5 million yen, and so on.
The present project allows these entrepreneurs to go to the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion & Support Desk, receive assistance in producing a business startup plan, which they then submit to city hall. 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. By submitting this certificateand the other necessary documents to the ISA and undergoing an examination, the entrepreneur can be issued with the “Designated Activities”status for a maximum of one year (renewal required after six months).
(Source: Osaka City website https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/keizaisenryaku/page/0000623602.html)
The Startup Visa Support Desk both accept the business startup plan application and provide support for the creation of a plan document needed for the above Osaka City Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project. We also assist in preparatory activities with the end goal of foreign entrepreneurs who hold the Designated Activities status (the “Startup Visa”) acquiring a full Business Manager status.
* All application documents should be filled out in Japanese.
* If you are including additional documents (etc.) in languages other than Japanese, you are requested to also attach a Japanese translation.
To download the application form for the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project, click here (Osaka City website)
For the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project Q&A, click here (Osaka City website)
Applications (advance reservation required)
Make sure to receive “Assistance in creating the business startup plan document” before applying.
The reception process takes around one hour.
Please make a reservation by e-mail before coming in.
- Reception location:
- Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion & Support Desk
- Address:
- 7th Floor, Grand Front Osaka Tower-C, 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011 Japan
- Reception times:
- Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays), 10 a.m. ~ 6 p.m.
- How to make a reservation:
- Please make a reservation by e-mail (startupvisa@sansokan.jp）
Assistance in creating the business startup plan document
We will assist you in the creation of your business startup plan document.
1) Support by in-person consultation (advance reservation required)
Our consultant will help you brush up your business startup plan document.
If necessary, it is also possible to consult with another specialist such as a small business consultant or tax accountant.
* All application documents should be filled out in Japanese.
* If you are including additional documents (etc.) in languages other than Japanese, you are requested to also attach a Japanese translation.
How to make a reservation
Please indicate three preferences for times between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and send the e-mail to
startupvisa@sansokan.jp
We will reply to you after adjusting the schedule.
* A reply will normally take three business days.
2) Support by e-mail
Please send an e-mail with the subject line “Startup visa application” to startupvisa@sansokan.jp
Our consultant will get back to you with advice.
* A reply will normally take three business days.
Support during the business startup process
Those who have received the “Designated Activities” status using a business startup plan confirmation certificate from Osaka City are required to come in for an interview once a month. 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. We also organize seminars, business matching, information exchange, and other such events that are very useful to businesses.
Reservations for
consultations
and inquiries
Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion & Support Desk
7th Floor, Grand Front Osaka Tower-C,
3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011 Japan
E-MAIL:startupvisa@sansokan.jp
Reception times: Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays), 10 a.m. ~ 6 p.m.
Public transport:
・From JR Osaka Station, 7 minutes on foot
・From Umeda Station, Midosuji Subway Line, 10 minutes on foot
・From Umeda Station, Hankyu Line, 10 minutes on foot
