"Hokkaido Start-up Visa System ( foreign entrepreneurship promotion project)

Topics

※After April 1, 2024, the department in charge of this program will be changed to "Startup Promotion Office, Industrial Promotion Bureau, Department of Economic Affairs".

About the System

 Foreigners who are prepared to start a business in Japan will be permitted to obtain the status of residence under “Designated Activities” if they meet certain requirements. This status allows foreigners to stay in Japan for a maximum of one year.

Points of the System

The Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project) is a system that can be used by local governments that have received planning authorization from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The purpose of this program is to increase the acceptance rate of foreign entrepreneurs into Japan, and to promote new businesses. Recently, the Hokkaido Government was certificated by METI, and, as such, will enact the Startup Visa system.

Eligible Businesses

  • Businesses which promote growth and industrialization in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which support local communities
  • Businesses which promote the development of food-related industries that utilize regional resources
  • Businesses which promote Hokkaido tourism, and help to elevate tourism in Hokkaido to that of an advanced region in the tourism industry
  • Businesses which promote developing manufacturing industries which generate added high values
  • Businesses which promote the creation of industries that correspond to market size and shifts in market needs
  • Other businesses deemed necessary by the governor

Eligible Persons

Foreigners who intend to start new businesses in Hokkaido

The Flow of the Startup visa System(Startup Visa System Flowchart)

図

Acceptance of Applications

  • Reception starts from Friday, November 29, 2019. *Japanese Only
  • Online Registration Starts from Tuesday, August 30 , 2022. *English is supported

(1)Eligible Persons

Applications should be brought to the reception desk at the address written below or mailed by a person falling under either of the following categories.

(I) An applicant
(Ro) A lawyer or an administrative scrivener recognized by the Sapporo Immigration Bureau as a proxy
※In the case of (Ro), please submit documents which detail the relationship to the applicant and proof explaining the lawyer or administrative scrivener’s position to do so.

(2)Application process

Before submitting a new application, please fill out and submit this online form.
After confirmation, our personnel will contact you by e-mail.

The URL of the online form for application will be given by our personnel after pre-entry.

Documents to Be Submitted

Those who wish to apply for a New Business Implementation Confirmation shall create, prepare and submit all the documents below.
All documents must be completed in either Japanese or English.

(1)New Applications

  • Documents that verify the applicant’s address for the one year after arrival in Japan or change of status of residence (e.g., copy of a rental agreement or copy of a rental application form)
  • Documents that verify the applicant’s expenses for staying in Japan for the one year after arrival in Japan or change of status of residence (e.g., copy of applicant’s bankbook)
  • When applying, if the applicant falls under any category listed under the Notification, rticle 5:6(1)(v) Sections I, RO, HA, or NI, verifying documents are required to bepresented.(e.g., certificate of graduation, certificate of employment)
  • Photocopy of applicant’s passport (the page containing applicant’s photo and passport number)
  • Other documents deemed necessary by the governor

(2)Renewals

  • Documents that verify the applicant’s address for the six months after you renew period of stay (e.g., copy of a rental agreement or copy of a rental application form)
  • Documents that verify the applicant’s expenses for staying in Japan for the six months after you renew period of stay (e.g., copy of applicant’s bankbook)
  • Other documents deemed necessary by the governor

Links

Contucts us

〒060-8588 Kita 3-jo,Nishi 6-chome,Chuo-ku,Sapporo
Small and Medium Enterprise Division, Bureau of Regional Economy, Department of Economic Affairs, Hokkaido Government
TEL:011-204-5331
FAX:011-232-8127

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