An Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan allows foreign nationals who work for a company outside Japan to be transferred to a branch, parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate of that company within Japan.
First Published: 2021-03-16
Updated: 2024-08-19
Table of Contents
- What is the Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan?
- Requirements for the Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan
- Working Conditions for Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders in Japan
- Can Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders change jobs in Japan?
- Find a Job in Japan with WeXpats
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What is the Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan?
The “Intra-Company Transferee (企業内転勤, Kigyounai Tenkin)” is a type of status of residence (visa) that allows foreign nationals who work for a company outside Japan to be transferred to a branch, parent, subsidiary or affiliate company in Japan.
This status of residence (visa) is typically granted to employees in managerial, executive or specialist positions who need to work in Japan for a certain period of time. The available periods of stay for this status of residence is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.
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Requirements for the Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan
In order to be eligible for the Intra-Company Transferee Visa, the applicant must fulfill several requirements.
Employment Status
The applicant must have been employed by the overseas company for at least 1 year prior to the transfer into Japan.
Job Position
The applicant must hold a managerial, executive, or specialist role that requires specific knowledge or expertise.
Company Relationship
The overseas company and company Japanese must have a branch, parent, subsidiary or affiliate relationship with each other.
Work Description
The work to be performed in Japan must fit the category of work allowed under the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)” status of residence.
Example of Engineering Occupations
- Software & Systems Engineer
- IT Project Manager
- Automobile Engineer
- Bio-Engineer
Example of Specialist in Humanities Occupations
- Accounting and Economic Analyst
- Financial Advisor
- Human Resources Manager
- Legal Affairs Manager
Example of International Services Occupations
- Translator & Interpreter
- Interior Designer
- Foreign Affairs Manager
- Foreign Language Teacher
Fixed Period of Time
The transfer from the overseas company to the Japanese company will be for a set period of time. This may be for 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years with a definitive last date. However, it is possible to apply for an extension.
Working Conditions for Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders in Japan
The working conditions for the Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holder is as follows.
Work Limitations
The visa-holder is only allowed to work for the Japanese company they were transferred to. They are not allowed to work a side job or change jobs while under the “Intra-Company Transferee” status of residence.
Salary Payment
Salary can be paid by either the overseas company or the Japanese company. Which company is paying you will affect tax matters. For example, if you are paid by the Japanese company, they can do year-end tax adjustment (年末調整, Nenmatsu Chousei) on your behalf, but if you are paid by the overseas company, you will need to do annual tax return (確定申告, Kakutei Shinkoku) yourself.
Dependant Stay
Dependants of Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders are eligible to receive “Family Stay (家族滞在)” status of residence and stay in Japan. However, dependants are limited to spouses and children only. Parents and siblings are not eligible.
Can Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders change jobs in Japan?
No, Intra-Company Transferee Visa-holders cannot change jobs in Japan. If you want to change jobs, you must change your status of residence.
Since the scope of work under the “Intra-Company Transferee” status of residence is the same as for “Engineer/Humanities”, most people would change to the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status of residence.
However, in order to change your status of residence, you must fulfill the requirements for an “Engineer/Humanities” visa, such as educational background.
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