The Intra-Company Transferee visa (企業内転勤) is designed for employees of multinational corporations who are being transferred from an overseas office to a Japanese branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company. It provides a streamlined pathway for companies to deploy their experienced managers and technical specialists to Japan without requiring them to satisfy the normal work visa requirements from scratch.
The key eligibility criterion is a genuine corporate relationship between the overseas employer and the Japanese entity, combined with at least one year of continuous employment with the overseas company. The role in Japan must be managerial or specialist in nature — the visa is not available for entry-level or general labor positions.
This visa is typically valid for 1 to 5 years and can be renewed as long as the transfer arrangement and employment relationship remain in place. It is one of the most straightforward work visas to obtain for international employees of established multinational companies, as the employer's track record and corporate legitimacy significantly smooth the application process.
Who Is This For
- ✓Employees of multinational corporations transferring to a Japanese branch or subsidiary
- ✓Managers and executives seconded to Japan by their parent company
- ✓Technical specialists assigned to Japanese affiliate offices
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Up to 5 years
Requirements
- •Currently employed by a foreign company that has a branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company in Japan
- •The foreign company and the Japanese entity must have a qualifying corporate relationship (parent-subsidiary, branch, affiliate)
- •Must have worked for the overseas company for at least 1 year continuously prior to transfer
- •The role in Japan must be in management, executive, or specialist capacity
- •Salary must be comparable to equivalent Japanese employees
- •Valid passport
Costs & Fees
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
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 company
- Proof of employment with the overseas company for at least 1 year (employment certificate, pay stubs)
- Corporate registration documents of both the overseas company and the Japanese entity
- Documents demonstrating the corporate relationship (shareholder registry, organizational chart)
- Job description and explanation of duties in Japan
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Confirm the corporate relationship between your overseas employer and the Japanese entity
- 2Obtain a formal transfer or secondment letter from your employer
- 3Have the Japanese entity apply for a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf
- 4Receive the COE (typically 1–3 months)
- 5Submit the COE to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country along with your visa application
- 6Receive the visa and enter Japan
- 7Register your address at the local municipality within 14 days of arrival
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.
Residence Status (COE) Review Time
Average processing days as of Jun 2026, based on official Ministry of Justice statistics.
Figures include waiting time for supplementary documents. Denied and withdrawn applications are excluded.
Renewal and change-of-status 'notice' figures include the wait between review completion and pickup at Immigration Bureau.
Work Restrictions
Family & Dependents
Renewal & Extension
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Important Notices
- ⚠Must have worked at an overseas affiliated company for at least 1 year before applying
- ⚠The transfer destination must be within the same corporate group (parent-subsidiary or affiliated company relationship)
- ⚠Salary must be comparable to Japanese employees in equivalent positions
Practical Tips
- →Suitable for internal transfers within multinational companies; review is relatively straightforward
- →Can serve as a stepping stone to gaining work experience in Japan
- →Can switch to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa to continue working in Japan after the transfer ends