Japan Business Manager Visa vs South Korea D-8 Investor Visa

About Japan Business Manager Visa

The Japan Business Manager Visa allows a foreign national to establish and run a company in Japan, requiring either at least ¥5,000,000 (~$33,000) in registered company capital or two or more full-time staff, plus a genuine leased office — virtual offices are explicitly rejected — and a business plan showing real viability. The initial grant is effectively probationary, often issued for as little as one year, with renewal refused if the company isn't visibly operating. Spouses and children can obtain a Dependent Visa. Unlike Japan's Highly Skilled Professional category, which can fast-track PR to 1–3 years, Business Manager status normally needs the standard 10 years of residence for permanent residency. Citizenship is possible after 5 years, requiring roughly B1 Japanese and renunciation of prior nationality, since Japan disallows dual citizenship. Tax residency triggers around 183 days; a 'non-permanent resident' status exempts foreign income not remitted to Japan for the first five cumulative years, while corporate tax runs roughly 23–35% combining national and local rates. Capital must stay in the company account rather than being drawn down early.

About South Korea D-8 Investor Visa

South Korea's D-8 Investor Visa is for foreign nationals investing in or establishing a Korean business, requiring a minimum KRW 100,000,000 (~$75,000 USD) registered as genuine operating-company capital, not a passive deposit — the company must actually function, with real accounting and ideally at least one Korean employee, since a single founder with no local staff risks difficulty at renewal. Spouses and minor children can obtain F-3 dependent visas. D-8 holders can move to F-2 (Long-Term Resident) status after 5 years, then typically to F-5 permanent residency, sometimes faster for large investors. Citizenship becomes available after roughly 5 years, requiring TOPIK Korean proficiency around B1 and, in most cases, renouncing prior nationality, since Korea largely disallows dual citizenship for naturalised adults. Korean corporate tax runs 9–24%+ on profits, and individuals drawing a salary can elect a flat 19% income-tax rate — instead of progressive rates up to 45% — for up to 20 years, but only if elected before filing the first Korean tax return, after which the option is lost permanently.