Intra-company Transferee — Japan

The Intra-company Transferee status allows you to work in Japan when your overseas employer sends you to a related entity in Japan. It applies to specific professional activities and is distinct from other work statuses.

Who this visa is for

You qualify if your company transfers you from an overseas office to a Japanese head office, branch, or affiliated company. This status typically applies if you already work for the sending company and will continue similar duties in Japan.

Your activities must fall within professional fields comparable to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. You generally fit this category if:

• You work for a foreign office of a company with a presence in Japan
• Your employer assigns you to a Japanese branch or subsidiary
• Your duties involve specialized knowledge, technology, or international services
• You remain employed by the same corporate group

Business owners who are setting up or managing a company in Japan need to look at the Business Manager status instead.

It also differs from:

• Highly Skilled Professional, which uses a points-based system
• Specified Skilled Worker (i), which targets specific labor sectors
• Long-term Resident, which is based on personal status rather than employment

The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) reviews your status of residence and any change or extension applications.

Key features

The Intra-company Transferee status ties your permission to:

• Your sponsoring corporate group
• The specific professional activities described in your application
• The Japanese host entity

You can’t freely change employers outside the related corporate structure without applying for a change of status with the ISA.

Below is a comparison of related statuses:

You must submit a Form Visa Application and supporting corporate documents to the ISA. The ISA checks whether your duties match the permitted scope.

Quick processing note

processing times depend on your case and location.

If you apply from abroad, you usually need a Certificate of Eligibility from the Japanese host entity before applying for your visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. If you already live in Japan under another status, you apply for a change of status through the ISA.

For current timelines and application steps, refer to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Many intra-company transferee applications can be handled internally if you follow ISA requirements closely. Mistakes in documents, eligibility classification, or supporting evidence can lead to rejection or delay.

When employer can manage

Your company can usually prepare and file the Form Visa Application if your HR team has handled similar cases before and understands ISA documentation standards.

You should double-check:

• Personal details match the passport exactly.
• Every form answer is consistent across documents.
• The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is obtained before applying for long-term work status.
• The photograph meets ISA specifications:

4.5cm × 4.5cm

• White background
• Taken within 6 months
• No accessories

Many established companies already handle transfers under categories such as:

• Intra-Company Transferee
• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Highly Skilled Professional
• Business Manager

If your case is a standard transfer and the job duties fit the status of residence, internal handling is usually enough. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) checks whether your documents match your declared activity, so accuracy is more important than the number of documents.

When to consult a lawyer

You should consult an immigration lawyer if your case doesn’t clearly fit one status category.

For example, if you’re unsure between:

You also need legal help if:

• ISA previously rejected your application.
• Your answers differ across prior filings.
• You plan to change from another status such as Long-term Resident or Specified Skilled Worker (i).
• Your company isn’t experienced with CoE applications.

A lawyer checks for consistency across forms and supporting materials before submission. That helps avoid refusals based on conflicting information.

Complex document issues

Document problems cause many rejections and delays.

Common risk areas include:

Every document must show identical names, dates, and passport details. Even small discrepancies can cause trouble.

You should get professional help if your corporate documents are incomplete, translated inconsistently, or don’t match ISA expectations. A lawyer can check formatting, photo rules, and make sure your package supports your activities without contradictions.

Your spouse and children need their own status to live with you in Japan. They can’t enter based solely on your Intra-company Transferee status, or other categories like Highly Skilled Professional, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Long-term Resident, or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

Each family member files a separate Form Visa Application and must meet document requirements set by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA).

Dependent visa basics

Your spouse and unmarried children apply for a dependent status tied to your authorized stay in Japan.

Before they apply for a visa at a Japanese consulate, you must get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for each family member. ISA issues the COE in Japan. Without it, the visa application won’t move forward.

Each applicant needs:

• A valid passport
• The required visa application form
• The required photograph
• The issued Certificate of Eligibility

If you later change your status—for example, to Highly Skilled Professional or Business Manager—your family’s status must remain consistent with your own. ISA handles status changes and extensions inside Japan.

Family documents for Chinese nationals

If your spouse or child is a Chinese national, you’ll need to submit extra civil documents.

Required documents include:

• A copy of the Chinese Family Register
• A Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate

These confirm family relationships and legal residence. Provide clear, complete copies to avoid delays.

Each family member must still get an individual Certificate of Eligibility before applying for the visa. ISA reviews the COE application in Japan, and the Japanese consulate reviews the visa application abroad.

Don’t substitute other household registration records unless the consulate specifically tells you to.

Photo & form requirements

Every family member must submit their own visa application form and photograph.

Standard requirements are:

• One visa application form
• One photograph

Nationals of Russia, CIS countries, or Georgia submit:

• Two visa application forms
• Two photographs

Make sure the form is fully completed and matches your passport details exactly.

Inconsistent names, passport numbers, or dates of birth will delay processing.

Submit all documents together with the issued Certificate of Eligibility and your passport at the time of the visa application.

ISA oversees residence status in Japan, while the consulate is responsible for visa issuance abroad.

You must meet the specific criteria set by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) for the Japan intra-company transferee status.

ISA evaluates your employment background, service period, and whether your role fits the correct status category before approving your Form Visa Application.

Carefully match your situation to the correct status and follow the published category instructions.

Employment history

ISA reviews your employment history to confirm that your transfer qualifies under the intra-company transferee framework.

You must document your current position, past roles within the same corporate group, and the nature of your work.

Prepare clear evidence that shows:

• Your employer abroad and the entity in Japan are related within the same corporate group
• Your job duties before and after transfer
• The continuity of your employment

Your responsibilities in Japan must align with the authorized activities under the applicable status.

If your duties resemble those under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, or Business Manager, you must ensure your application reflects the correct classification.

Use accurate job titles and detailed descriptions.

Inconsistent or vague employment records can delay review by ISA.

Minimum service requirement

ISA requires you to satisfy the service conditions set for your specific category.

The required period of prior employment depends on the status instructions that apply to you.

You must confirm:

• The length of time you have worked for the overseas entity
• Whether your employment was continuous
• That your service falls within the qualifying corporate relationship

Do not assume that time worked in a different role or location automatically qualifies.

ISA examines whether your service directly supports the transfer purpose.

If you cannot meet the intra-company transferee requirements, you may need to review other statuses such as Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Long-term Resident, depending on your circumstances.

Check category instructions

Before filing your Visa Application, review the official instructions for your exact status category.

ISA evaluates each application against the criteria published for that classification.

Use this checklist:

• Confirm the correct status name
• Verify required employment history
• Confirm minimum service conditions
• Ensure your job duties match authorized activities

The table below shows how category alignment affects eligibility:

If your role does not clearly fit one category, ISA may reject or require correction of your application.

Always rely on the official category guidance before submission.

Most denials stem from avoidable filing errors, poor document preparation, or choosing the wrong consular post.

You reduce risk by matching your status to your actual duties, preparing compliant photos and documents, and filing only where you have jurisdiction.

Common reasons for rejection

You face rejection when your job duties do not match the Intra-Company Transferee status.

If your role fits Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, or Specified Skilled Worker (i) instead, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) will not treat it as an intra-company transfer.

Review your eligibility before filing a Form Visa Application.

Confirm that:

• You transfer from a foreign office to a related office in Japan.
• Your duties in Japan align with the approved status.
• Your employer’s corporate relationship supports the transfer.

Do not rely on titles alone.

ISA examines your actual activities in Japan, not your business card.

Misclassification often occurs when applicants previously held Long-term Resident status or another category and assume it covers corporate transfers.

Each status has distinct criteria.

You must meet the specific requirements of the Intra-Company Transferee category.

Photo & document errors

ISA expects complete and accurate documents.

Missing pages, inconsistent information, or incorrect photographs delay or derail your Visa Application.

Check your file carefully:

• Ensure all forms are fully completed and signed where required.
• Confirm names, dates of birth, and employment details match across documents.
• Submit photographs that meet the specified format requirements.

Small inconsistencies raise credibility concerns.

For example, mismatched job descriptions between the overseas entity and the Japanese entity may suggest that the transfer is not genuine.

You also risk confusion if you submit documents prepared for another status, such as Highly Skilled Professional or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, without tailoring them to the Intra-Company Transferee criteria.

Align every document with the status you request.

Create a simple internal checklist before submission:

1. Confirm status category.

2. Verify consistency across all documents.

3. Review photo specifications.

4. Reconfirm signatures and dates.

Applying at the correct post

You must apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Filing at the wrong location leads to refusal to accept or process your application.

Jurisdiction depends on where you legally reside, not where your employer is located.

If you live in one country but your company headquarters is in another, you still apply where you reside.

Confirm jurisdiction directly with the relevant Japanese Embassy or Consulate before submitting your Visa Application.

This step prevents immediate procedural rejection and unnecessary delays.