Japan has a population of about 124 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$4.1 trillion, making it one of the largest economies in the world and a G7 member. Its currency is the yen. It appears via its Business Manager Visa.
Japan has a population of about 124 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$4.1 trillion, making it one of the largest economies in the world and a G7 member. Its currency is the yen. It appears via its Business Manager Visa.
The Global Residency Programs Report 2026 combines five weighted dimensions, each built from its own set of normalised metrics: Quality of Life (30%), Procedure (30%), Mobility (20%), Investment (10%) and Compliance & Credibility (10%). The index is a starting point for individuals, advisors and policymakers to compare 48 residency programs on a like-for-like basis, surface the routes whose strengths match a specific priority, and screen out those that fall short on credibility.
Japan’s Business Manager Visa was significantly tightened with effect from 16 October 2025. The minimum capital requirement rose sixfold, and applicants must now also meet employment, management-experience, and Japanese-language conditions, marking the sharpest reform of the category in over a decade.
Programme: Business Manager Visa Legal basis: Business Manager status under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951) Indicative minimum: JPY 30,000,000 (approximately USD 200,000) in capital, plus a full-time employee, management experience, and a Japanese-language requirement Estimated processing: 1 to 3 months
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index 2026 makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.