Understanding the “Full-Time Employee” Requirement for Business Manager Visa Renewal
Since immigration requirement changed in October, we have seen an increasing number of inquiries regarding renewals of the Business Manager (経営・管理) Visa, particularly about the requirement to employ a full-time employee.
This page explains what qualifies as a full-time employee, and who can be counted as an eligible employee for Business Manager Visa renewal applications.
What Is Considered a “Full-Time Employee”?
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan provides specific criteria on its official website regarding what qualifies as a full-time (regular) employee for immigration purposes.
Below is an explanation of these requirements.
1. General Employment Conditions
To be considered a full-time employee, the individual must:
Work every scheduled working day, excluding holidays and non-working days
Work under a fixed and continuous work schedule, engaging in their duties during prescribed working hours on a daily basis
Receive salary and benefits appropriate to their job duties
In short, the employee must be engaged in regular, ongoing employment rather than ad-hoc or flexible work.
2. Conditions Related to Working Status
When determining whether an employee is full-time, immigration authorities will compare their working conditions with those of part-time employees, taking the following points into account:
(1) Working Days and Hours
The employee must meet all of the following:
Work 5 days or more per week
Work at least 217 days per year
Have scheduled working hours of 30 hours or more per week
(2) Eligibility for Paid Annual Leave
The employee must be entitled to at least 10 days of paid annual leave if:
They have been employed continuously for six months from their start date, and
They have attended work on 80% or more of their scheduled working days during that period
(3) Enrollment in Employment Insurance
The employee must:
Be enrolled as an insured person under Employment Insurance (雇用保険), and
Have scheduled working hours of 30 hours or more per week
Proper enrollment in employment insurance is a key factor immigration uses to confirm genuine full-time employment.
3. Employment Types That Are Not Accepted
Regardless of working hours or duties, the following workers cannot be regarded as full-time employees of the business for Business Manager Visa purposes:
Employees on secondment (在籍出向)
Dispatched workers supplied by a staffing agency (派遣)
Workers engaged under contracting or outsourcing arrangements (請負)
Even if these individuals perform work at the business premises, they are not considered full-time employees of that business under immigration standards.
Who Can Be a Full-Time Employee?
According to official Immigration Services Agency guidance, only certain categories of individuals can be counted as full-time employees for Business Manager Visa purposes.
Eligible Individuals
The following individuals may be counted as full-time (regular) employees:
Japanese nationals
Permanent Residents
Foreign nationals residing under
Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident
Long-Term Resident（定住者）
These individuals are permitted to engage in employment without work restrictions, and therefore qualify as eligible full-time employees under immigration standards.
Individuals Who Are Not Eligible
Foreign nationals residing in Japan under residence statuses listed below cannot be counted as full-time employees for Business Manager Visa Renewal purposes.
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Skilled Labor
Intra-Company Transferee
Student
Dependent
Even if such individuals are legally employed and working full-time hours, they are not regarded as eligible “full-time employees” when assessing the Business Manager Visa renewal.
Practical Advice for Business Owners
If you are planning a Business Manager Visa renewal, we recommend:
Reviewing your employment structure early
Ensuring proper social insurance enrollment
Preparing payroll records, employment contracts, and tax filings
Waiting until just before renewal can significantly increase risk.
How Hashi-Immigration Office Can Help
At Hashi-Immigration Office, we support clients by:
Assessing whether your current staffing meets immigration requirements
Advising on employee eligibility and hiring structure
Preparing clear, persuasive explanations for immigration authorities
Handling Business Manager Visa renewals from start to finish
If you are concerned about your upcoming renewal or employee requirements, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.