Intra-Company Transferee Visa Strategy
Key points for transfers between parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies
The Intra-Company Transferee visa is for employees transferred from overseas companies to Japanese affiliates, subsidiaries, or branches. Unlike the Engineer/Humanities visa, there are no educational requirements, but at least 1 year of employment at the sending company is mandatory. Direct secondments from parent to subsidiary, and complex affiliate arrangements, are also handled.
Who this is for: Foreign employees confirmed for transfer from an overseas parent company or headquarters to a Japanese subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. Also covers transfers between companies within the same Japanese group.
Case-by-Case Review Points & Strategies
Case 1: Direct Transfer from Headquarters to Japanese Subsidiary (1+ Year Tenure)
Low RiskSituation
After 1+ year at the foreign headquarters, transferring to a Japanese subsidiary as a manager or specialist
Strategy
Prepare employment certificate (from sending company), employment contract (Japanese entity), transfer order, capital relationship chart showing group structure, and registration information for both companies.
Key Point: If the capital relationship between group companies is unclear, additional documents proving the relationship may be requested. Demonstrating a shareholding ratio of 50% or more makes the review smoother.
Case 2: Less Than 1 Year Tenure at Sending Company
High RiskSituation
Received transfer order after only 9 months of employment, or the sending company changed due to a merger or acquisition
Strategy
① Check if prior employment tenure can be combined (prior company certificate may supplement in merger/spinoff cases). ② If difficult, consider changing to Engineer/Humanities (no tenure requirement). ③ If the intra-company transfer is required, wait until 1 year has passed and then apply.
Key Point: The '1+ year of employment' requirement for intra-company transfer is strictly applied. Applying without confirming this will certainly result in denial — consult a specialist in advance.
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
If the job duties at the receiving company differ greatly from the sending company (e.g., technical role → management role), Engineer/Humanities or Business Manager may be more appropriate. Choosing the wrong residence status is disadvantageous in review.
Free Consultation with an Immigration Specialist
Residence status applications involve complex procedures including document preparation and communication with immigration authorities. Our specialized immigration consultants offer free consultations.