Intra-Company Transferee Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Intra-Company Transferee Visa (企業内転勤)
Stay Length	1, 3, or 5 years
Visa Cost	15,000 JPY (single entry)
COE Application Fee	Free
Processing Time	1 to 3 months
Eligibility Timing	≥1 year continuous prior overseas employment
Work Rights	Restricted to technical/humanities-related transferee role
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Spouse and children eligible (Dependent visa)
Visa Record	Certificate of Eligibility (COE) required

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Purpose & Overview

The Intra-Company Transferee visa is designed for employees of multinational corporations transferring from an overseas office to a Japanese branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company. It allows companies to deploy managers, executives, and technical specialists to Japan without meeting standard work visa criteria from scratch.

Eligibility Criteria

• Prior Employment: Must have worked continuously for the overseas company for at least 1 year immediately before the transfer. Short-term contractors or new hires are not eligible.
• Corporate Relationship: A qualifying relationship (parent company, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate) must exist between the sending company and the Japan-based entity.
• Job Role: The role in Japan must match the scope of gijinkoku (management, executive, or technical specialist capacity). Entry-level, routine clerical, and manual labor roles do not qualify.
• Remuneration: Salary must be comparable to that of Japanese employees in equivalent positions.
• Passport: Applicant must hold a valid passport.

Validity & Stay

• Single residence periods are granted for 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years (up to 5 years maximum per period).
• The status is renewable indefinitely as long as the employment relationship and qualifying transfer arrangements continue.

Costs & Fees

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application: Free
• Visa Sticker Issuance Fee: 15,000 JPY (single entry, effective July 1, 2026)

Processing Times

• General Review Window: 1 to 3 months
• COE Issuance (from overseas): Average of 46.1 days
• Change of Residence Status: Average of 37.0 days
• Renewal / Extension: Average of 43.1 days

Rights & Work Conditions

• Permitted Work: Restricted strictly to technical or humanities-related duties at the receiving branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Japan.
• Secondary Employment: Part-time or secondary work at other companies is not permitted.
• Employer Changes: The visa is tied directly to the sponsoring employer. Resigning or ending the secondment invalidates the status; you must switch to another visa status or depart Japan.

Family Provisions

• The visa holder’s spouse and minor children can apply for a Dependent (Family Stay) visa to reside in Japan for the duration of the assignment.

Extension & Status Transition

• Renewal: Renewed every 1 to 3 years by proving continued employment within the same corporate group with no major changes to job duties.
• Common Visa Transitions:
  • Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (to work for an unrelated Japanese company)
  • Highly Skilled Professional (Type 1 & 2) (if meeting point criteria)
  • Permanent Resident (if statutory residence and general conditions are met)

Required Documents

• Valid passport
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Employment contract with the Japanese entity
• Letter of transfer or secondment from the overseas parent/sending company
• Proof of at least 1 year of continuous overseas employment (employment certificate, pay stubs)
• Corporate registration documents for both the overseas and Japanese entities
• Evidence of corporate relationship (shareholder registry, organizational chart)
• Job description and detailed explanation of duties in Japan

Application Steps

1. Confirm Eligibility: Verify the qualifying corporate link between the overseas and Japanese entities.
2. Obtain Secondment Letter: Secure a formal transfer or secondment document from the overseas employer.
3. Apply for COE: The Japanese entity submits the COE application on the applicant's behalf to the regional Immigration Bureau.
4. Receive COE: The COE is issued (typically 1–3 months).
5. Apply for Visa: Submit the COE and visa application to the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate abroad.
6. Enter Japan: Receive the visa sticker and travel to Japan.
7. Municipal Registration: Register your residential address at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.

Important Warnings

• The transfer destination must be part of the same corporate group.
• You cannot transfer under this category if you have less than 1 full year of continuous service at the overseas sending office immediately prior to application.
• Official policy reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan