An **Intra-company Transferee** visa is a status of residence for moving high-level workers, who would typically qualify for Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, between offices within the same corporate group (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, etc.).
There is a specific reason to use the Intra-company Transferee visa instead of the standard “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities” category: it allows these professionals to be transferred to Japan under **more relaxed conditions**. Normally, qualifying for “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities” requires specific academic degrees or extensive career experience. However, with an Intra-company Transferee visa, talented individuals within a corporate group can be moved without meeting those specific hurdles. This system leverages the reliability of companies operating globally to facilitate the movement of high-level personnel within their group.
The profile of the candidate is identical to those in the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities” category; only the eligibility requirements for the transfer are simplified and more lenient.
Three-Step Process for Obtaining an “Intra-company Transferee” VisaCandidate Eligibility
First, the individual must meet the criteria for the specific status of residence as defined by relevant laws and ordinances. Company Category & Evidentiary Documents
Next, since the required documents vary based on the size of the company the foreigner is transferring to, you must determine the company category and prepare the appropriate evidence. Application & Supporting Evidence
Finally, you must prepare the application form corresponding to the company category along with documents that substantiate the details of the application.
Candidate Eligibility (Status Applicability & Ministerial Ordinance Criteria)
The conditions for the “Intra-company Transferee” visa (combining status applicability and ministerial ordinance criteria) are as follows:
- Transferring from a foreign public or private organization that has a branch, head office, or other place of business in Japan.
- The applicant is an employee of that office located outside of Japan.
- The applicant has been engaged in duties falling under “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” at that office for **at least one consecutive year** immediately prior to the transfer.
- The transfer is for a limited period.
- The applicant will work at the office in Japan.
- The applicant receives remuneration equal to or greater than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work.
- The applicant will engage in activities falling under “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.”
Company Category Determination and Evidence
The framework for company category determination and evidentiary documents for “Intra-company Transferee” is the same as that for “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.” Please determine the category on that page first, then return here to proceed below.
――――――― Company Categories and Evidence for Category Eligibility ――――――――
Application Forms and Supporting Documents
Evidentiary documents for this status of residence differ depending on whether you are obtaining a new visa (COE, Change of Status, etc.) or renewing an existing one. They also vary within each scenario based on the company category.
Please submit the following category-specific documents along with the evidence for the company category mentioned above to prove the company scale during the application.
Obtaining a New “Intra-company Transferee” Status
For Transfers to Category 1 Companies+
- Application form
- 1 Photograph
- (Return envelope for COE applications)
- (Passport and Residence Card for Change of Status applications)
For Transfers to Category 2 Companies+
- Application form
- 1 Photograph
- (Return envelope for COE applications)
- (Passport and Residence Card for Change of Status applications)
For Transfers to Category 3 Companies+
- Application form
- 1 Photograph
- (Return envelope for COE applications)
- (Passport and Residence Card for Change of Status applications)
- Documents regarding the applicant’s past and future
- Future: One of the following documents clarifying the details of activities
- Copy of transfer order or appointment letter
- Document clarifying labor conditions
- Document regarding executive remuneration, or a document from the organization stating position, period, and remuneration
- Past: Documents proving the applicant’s background
- CV specifying organizations, duties, and periods of relevant work
- Document from the foreign organization worked at immediately prior to the transfer, specifying duties, position, and remuneration for the past year
- Future: One of the following documents clarifying the details of activities
- Documents regarding the company’s past and future
- Future: Documents proving the company’s financial status
- Copy of the most recent financial statements (or a business plan for new businesses)
- Past: One of the following documents clarifying business activities
- Brochure detailing history, executives, organization, and business activities
- Equivalent document prepared by the employer
- Certificate of Registered Matters (Toki Jiko Shomeisho)
- Future: Documents proving the company’s financial status
- Documents proving the connection between the pre-transfer and post-transfer companies
- Materials such as the registration of a foreign corporation’s branch proving it has a place of business in Japan
- Materials clarifying the capital relationship between the Japanese corporation and the overseas transferor
For Transfers to Category 4 Companies+
- (All documents required for Category 3 above)
- Reason for inability to submit the “Statutory Report of Totals” for the previous year
- Materials regarding exemption from withholding tax
- Copy of the report on the opening of a salary-paying office, etc.
Renewing an “Intra-company Transferee” Status
For Category 1 & 2 Companies+
- Application form
- 1 Photograph
- Passport and Residence Card
For Category 3 & 4 Companies+
- Application form, Photo, Passport, and Residence Card
- Resident Tax Taxation/Exemption Certificate and Tax Payment Certificate
- Copy of the Statutory Report of Totals for the previous year (with receipt stamp) *Essential to prove the category hasn’t changed.
- Copy of Transfer Order or Appointment Letter *Essential to prove the transfer period has been extended.
- (For Category 4 only, if available) Copy of the most recent financial statements *Strong evidence that the business is ongoing.