Regarding Projects Promoting Start-ups Established by Foreigners(Commonly called: Startup Visa System)
Based on the announcement regarding “Managing and Supporting Business Startup
Activities by Foreign Entrepreneurs” made by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry onDecember 28th 2018, Ibaraki Prefecture was recognized by the Minister of Economy, Trade andIndustry on January 8th 2020 as a local authority where projects promoting startup establishedby foreigners can be implemented. This recognition is in line with our prefecture’s objective tostrengthen our international industrial competitiveness and to create a base for international
economic activities, as well as our intent to support investments from foreign-owned companies
to our prefecture and foreign entrepreneurs establishing businesses.
１

Summary

Through the aforementioned system, foreigners looking to establish a startup in Ibaraki
Prefecture will be given a “Designated Activities” visa status granting them residence in Japanfor up to 1 year in order to make the preparations their startup business.
【 Conditions

requiredforforeigners

partakinginmanagement

toreceiveamanagement/administration visa (period of residence of 1 year)】
Current Conditions (generally)
After the introduction of the startup visa
①Securing an office in Japan②Total Capital of over 5 million yen, or more ・With the condition of the management andthan 2 full-time employees, or the same
support of the local authority, andscale as what is written above.
entrepreneur who does not necessarily③The applicant has had more than 3 years offulfill conditions ①∼③ on the left but has
project management experience (including
received the “Designated Activities (Startup
post-graduate education). Previously had aPreparations)” residential status of up to 1
salary higher than the average Japaneseyear.
full-time salary.
・If conditions ①～③ on the left are fulfilled
within 1 year, the entrepreneurs can attain
In addition to items ①～③, project planning
the “management/administratiation visa”
forms must be submitted
２

Applicable Projects① Research projects centered on life sciences (medical treatment, biology, pharmaceutical,etc.)② Projects aiming for high growth using revolutionary technology and skills such as the IT
sector (telecommunication enterprises) or robotics③ Other projects specially acknowledged by the governor※ In addition to items ①～③, since the applicant must have participated in startup support
related projects implemented by Ibaraki Prefecture, JETRO, or municipalities planned forexpansion, please contact Ibaraki Prefecture first.

３Applicable Region

All regions of Ibaraki Prefecture
４ Qualified ApplicantsForeign nationals who will start new projects in Ibaraki Prefecture
５Procedures① Foreign startup entrepreneurs will submit a “Startup Preparation Activities Plan” toIbaraki Prefecture② Ibaraki Prefecture will give out a confirmation certificate to the foreign startup
entrepreneurs after gathering thoughts from outside professionals during the screening
process.
③ The foreign startup entrepreneurs will use the confirmation certificate mentioned in step
to apply for their residential status in a regional immigration services bureau.
④ The regional immigration services bureau will give the foreign startup entrepreneurs theirresidential status of “Designated Activities (Startup Preparation Activities).
⑤ During the period of startup preparation activities (up to 1 year), the foreign startup
entrepreneurs will receive comprehensive support from Ibaraki Prefecture and otherinstitutions and in turn will be progress checked by the prefecture and send monthly
reports for related institutions.
Tsukuba City will provide support and conduct progress checks for enterprises looking tooperate in Tsukuba City.

６Document Submission

Foreign startup entrepreneurs who wish to apply should create, prepare and submit all thedocuments detailed below. Ibaraki Prefecture will provide every format necessary forsubmission, so please consult with the prefecture first.
In principal, we ask that you please fill out the documents in Japanese. Please consult withthe prefecture if filling them out in Japanese is an issue.
（１）New Applicants
・Format 1
Confirmation certificate of startup preparation activities
・#2 of Format 1 Startup preparation activities plan・#3 of Format 1
Work schedule of startup activities
・#4 of Format1 Resume/C.V. of applicant
・#5 of Format 1
Contract Papers
・Documents that will clarify where the applicant will reside for the year after landing inJapan or after their residential status change.
・Documents that will clarify the applicant’s residential expenses for theyear afterlanding in Japan or after their residential status change.
・When applying for the visa as either イ，ロ，ハ or ニ of （１）⑤ in #6 of the 5thannouncement, please submit documents proving that the applicant does in factcorrespond to what was chosen.
・Copy of applicant’s passport.
・Documents other than the ones listed in the numbers above may be requested by thegovernor.
（２）Renewal Applicants
・Format 2
Confirmation certificate of startup preparation activities (used forrenewal)
・#2 of Format 2 Startup preparation activities plan (used for renewal)
・#3 of Format 2 Work schedule of startup activities (used for renewal)
・Documents clarifying the applicant’s place of residence during the 6 months after
renewing their residential status.
・Documents clarifying the applicant’s residential expenses during the 6 months after
renewing their residential status.
・Documents other than the ones listed in the numbers above will be requested by thegovernor.
７

Application Method
In principle, individuals that correspond to the list below must bring in the application form
for submission. If you are applying by post, please contact Ibaraki Prefecture beforehand.
（１）Those eligible to submit the application①The applicant himself

②Representative of the applicant (Individual given the right to represent through the letterof attorney of#7 of Format1)（２）Place of Submission/Contact Information

Investment Group, Global Business Support Team,
Department of Business Strategy, Ibaraki Prefecture
978-6 Kasahara-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki-ken Japan 310-8555
Phone: +81 - (0)29 - 301 – 2858
Reception Hours: 8:30am to 17:15pm (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays,
National Holidays and New Year’s holiday)

８References【Homepage of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry】《Creating a new system that allows foreigners to easily establish startups》■https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2018/12/20181228001/20181228001.html《Announcement related to managing and supporting business startup activities by foreignentrepreneurs》■https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/newbusiness/startupvisa/index.html【Inquiries】
Investment Group,
Global Business Support Team,
Department of Business Strategy,
Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: +81 - (0)29 - 301 – 2858
Email: global_1@pref.ibaraki.lg.jp