Part 2: What Type of Office Qualifies for a Business Manager Visa?

Key Criteria: Independence, Continuity, and Actual Business Use

1. Introduction

A frequent question among applicants is: What kind of property qualifies as an acceptable business office?
It’s important to understand that even if a location is legally usable for company registration, it may still be rejected by immigration during the visa screening process. Legal eligibility and immigration approval do not always align.

This article outlines the three core criteria used by the Immigration Services Agency to determine whether a space qualifies as a “business office.”

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2. Three Major Requirements for a Qualifying Office

(1) Independence

• The office must be clearly separate from any residential or shared living space.
• Even if using a one-room apartment, it must be used exclusively for business, and this should be demonstrated through documentation and photos.
• If using a combined residence-office, the entrance, layout, and signage must clearly distinguish the business portion.

(2) Continuity

• Contracts with very short lease terms or non-renewable agreements may be viewed negatively.
• Sublease agreements, temporary rental spaces, or time-shared offices are often considered lacking the “continuity” required for a viable business.

(3) Actual Business Use

• The office must be intended for genuine business operations, not just for registration.
• The presence of furniture, phone lines, internet, office equipment, and interior photos are used as evidence.
• Virtual offices or non-dedicated co-working spaces without constant availability are generally unacceptable.

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3. Common Property Types and Their Evaluation

Property Type	Typical Evaluation	Remarks
Home Office (1-room apartment)	Conditionally accepted	Accepted if business use is clearly separated and documented.
Private Rental Office	Conditionally accepted	Evaluated based on contract terms, exclusivity, signage, and furnishings.
Shared Co-working Space	Often rejected	Usually denied if space is not exclusively available or lacks permanence.
Virtual Office	Rejected	Always disqualified due to lack of physical presence.

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4. Conclusion

The “office requirement” for the Business Manager Visa is not just about securing a legal address. It’s about demonstrating a functional and sustainable space where the applicant genuinely intends to conduct business.

In the next article, we will look into actual contract requirements, interior setup, and photographic documentation that are critical for meeting immigration standards.