Politics · Japan · 16 hrs ago
Departures by Japan business visa holders without reentry permits nearly quadruple
953 business manager visa holders left Japan without reentry permits in the first half of 2026, nearly four times the 246 who did so in the same period a year earlier.
The visa allows foreign nationals to start, operate or manage a business in Japan.
Leaving without a reentry permit means losing existing residence status under Japan’s immigration system.
The rise came ahead of the first anniversary of stricter visa rules, introduced to address scrutiny of companies set up without real business activity.
The rules raised the minimum capital to 30 million yen from 5 million yen and also require applicants to employ at least one full-time staff member.
Departures without permits reached 226 in June, and the government is also tightening other rules for foreign residents, including raising application fees.
The number of business manager visa holders who left Japan without reentry permits nearly quadrupled in the first half of 2026 from a year earlier.
Immigration Services Agency data showed 953 such departures, up from 246 in the same period in 2025.
Those who leave Japan without reentry permits lose their existing residence status.
The increase came ahead of the first anniversary of stricter business manager visa requirements, including a higher minimum capital requirement.
The monthly number of departures rose to 226 in June 2026.
- Who
- Foreigners holding business manager visas.
- What
- 953 left Japan without reentry permits in the first half of 2026, nearly quadruple the figure a year earlier.
- When
- The first half of 2026; the data was reported on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
246 business manager visa holders left Japan without reentry permits.
Monthly departures without reentry permits rose to triple digits.
Monthly departures reached 226.
953 business manager visa holders left Japan without reentry permits.
- Departures in first half of 2026
- 953
- Departures in first half of 2025
- 246
- Monthly departures in June 2026
- 226
- Minimum capital requirement
- 30 million yen, raised from 5 million yen
- Visa holders at end of 2025
- 46,781