Japan eyes startup visa program

That graduate degree requirement sucks. I'd actually consider it (as an employee) even though pay is much lower in France than in the U.S., but I don't have any higher education at all!

Re: Japan eyes startup visa program

#8

Post by alexasmyths » Fri, Dec 08, 2017, 1:19 AM UTC

I can see why these things make sense to legislators and policymakers - but in all pragmatic reality, I'm weary of it actually working.

1) Most startups fail. What happens then? What is the path? Many folks will come from 2cnd-tier economic nations, and don't want to go back. It gets complicated.

2) Investment requirements are easily provided for by people who want to 'buy citizenship' and it's easy enough to hire a few friends/family members, park their money in an account, and pull it out when they are done. The 'businessperson' visa was widely used as a backdoor to a passport in Canada.

It might make sense to make the visa commensurate on $X in a round A or something, but then it all gets very complicated.

It might be just better to have a smart immigration policy to retain top talent across the board in the first place.

It's really not 'founders' that make the business - it's 'the founders and everyone else'.

Re: Japan eyes startup visa program

#9

Post by arvinder » Fri, Dec 08, 2017, 1:20 AM UTC

>Based on the New Business Implementation Plan, Fukuoka City officials will conduct a review on the progress of startup businesses founded by entrepreneurs who utilized this system and received approval for his/her Business Manager residential status. There will be three review sessions during the six-month period, of which at least one session will be held either at the entrepreneur’s place of business or residence. During the review sessions, the business’s bank account, lease for the place of business, and employment contracts may be reviewed. If progress is not satisfactory, Fukuoka City may direct the entrepreneur to return to his/her home country.

Sounds like a lot of biannual headache.

Re: Japan eyes startup visa program

#10

Post by cdancette » Fri, Dec 08, 2017, 1:20 AM UTC

jrs95 wrote: post #7

cdancette wrote: post #2

France has the same thing, valid for 4 years. http://visa.lafrenchtech.com/

That graduate degree requirement sucks. I'd actually consider it (as an employee) even though pay is much lower in France than in the U.S., but I don't have any higher education at all!

I think it's still easy to get a work visa for France even without this program.

Salaries are lower, but you have social security, retirement, and very cheap education. You can't really compare gross salary.