Work Visa Applications for Startups
Work Visa Application
for Startups
Can New Startups Hire Foreign Staff with Work Visas? Yes, even newly established companies can hire foreign staff and assist them in obtaining work visas, provided they can demonstrate the rationality of the hire and the stability of the business through a well-drafted business plan and supporting evidence.
Immigration Bureau’s Ranking System for Employers The Japanese Immigration Bureau categorizes employers into four categories based on their credibility. This ranking influences the scrutiny level of the visa application process. Category 1, which includes government institutions and listed companies, is deemed most credible, whereas Category 4, typically including newly established companies, is considered least credible. Consequently, companies in Category 4 face stricter scrutiny and are required to provide more comprehensive documentation.
Category 4: Newly Established Companies’ Challenges New startups are often placed in Category 4. They must prove that they can sustainably employ foreign staff and are not merely “paper companies” created for obtaining visas. This includes showing the company’s capacity to continuously employ foreign nationals and the legitimacy of the business operations.
Developing a Comprehensive Business Plan A crucial step for startups in Category 4 is to prepare a detailed business plan, which should outline the stability and continuity of the business, the rationality of employing the foreign individual, and how this hire meets the criteria for the intended residency status. It’s essential to articulate the business’s market, the backgrounds of its management team, its business model, supply and sales partners, expected revenues, capital requirements, and the specific reasons for hiring the foreign national. Note that the plan should be well-documented as face-to-face meetings with immigration officials are not part of the process.
Additional Documentation for Foreign Employee Recruitment Apart from the business plan, startups must also provide evidence supporting the foreign national’s educational background and professional experience, the job description, sufficient workload, and salary comparable to or greater than what a local employee would receive. For foreign nationals transferred from overseas group companies, the Intra-Company Transferee visa may also be considered.
Creating a Credible Online Presence It is advisable for new companies to establish a professional website, as the existence and operational status of the company are often verified through online sources by the Immigration Bureau.
Continental’s Expertise and Services
Continental offers specialized services to assist with the meticulous process of applying for work visas for foreign staff in new companies. This includes evaluating the application, advising on the response strategy to the Immigration Bureau’s inquiries, selecting additional voluntary documents, and drafting explanatory statements. Our services are tailored to each company’s unique situation, ensuring compliance with immigration requirements and enhancing the likelihood of successful visa applications.
Professional
Masakazu Murai
Immigration consultant, Financial advisor
He has 18 years experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley. He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
He currently supports many foreign entrepreneurs in Japan, taking advantage of the experience of an investment banker. He is the best expert of Business VISA in Japan.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
MBA in Entrepreneurship
