# Intra-company transferee visa in Japan: requirements and switching

URL: https://japanhow.com/visa/visas/intra-company-transferee-visa-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 27, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Japan's Intra-company Transferee status (企業内転勤) lets an employee of a company with offices abroad and in Japan transfer to the Japanese office for a set period. The Immigration Services Agency's criteria have two tests: one continuous year of specialist work at the office abroad just before the transfer, and pay equal to or above a Japanese employee's. Stays are 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. A new job outside the transfer needs a change of status.

## Key facts

- Work abroad first: 1+ years, continuous
- Salary: Equal to a Japanese employee
- Period of stay: 5 yrs, 3 yrs, 1 yr or 3 months
- Change of status, 1 yr (counter): ¥33,000

The intra-company transferee visa in Japan (在留資格「企業内転勤」) is for employees moved from a company's office abroad to its office in Japan for a set period. The Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) sets two tests: **one continuous year of specialist work at the office abroad just before the transfer**, and **pay equal to a Japanese employee's**. Stays are 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. This is the position as of October 2026.

**Informational only:** This guide summarizes ISA's published rules. It does not assess your case. For questions, call the ISA information center (0570-013904) or ask a licensed immigration and administrative specialist (行政書士).

## Who can use the intra-company transferee visa?

The status of residence (在留資格) covers an employee of an organization that has a head office, branch or other office in Japan, **transferred for a set period** from its office abroad to the office in Japan. ISA's example is a transferee from a foreign office.

The work you do in Japan must be work of the kind listed under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status (技術・人文知識・国際業務). It is the same kind of work as that visa, reached through an internal transfer. See the [Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa guide](/visa/visas/engineer-humanities-visa-japan/) for what counts.

## What are the requirements?

ISA's landing criteria (上陸許可基準) have two tests. You must meet both.

| Test | What the criteria say |
|---|---|
| Time abroad | Just before the transfer, you worked at the company's head office, branch or other office abroad, in work of the kind above, for **one year or more without a break** |
| Pay | You receive **equal to or more than a Japanese person would get** for the same work |

Two details from the criteria text:

- **Earlier time in Japan counts.** If you already worked at a Japanese office of the same organization on this status, that time is added to your time abroad.
- **No degree or language test is listed.** The criteria mention neither. ISA can still ask for documents about your duties, position and pay.

## Which documents does the employer file?

Your employer, or you, applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) if you are abroad, or for a change of status if you are already in Japan. See the [Certificate of Eligibility guide](/visa/visas/certificate-of-eligibility-japan/). Which papers are needed depends on the employer's category.

| Category | Employer | Papers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Listed companies, governments, public bodies and similar | Generally no other documents |
| 2 | Withholding tax of ¥10 million or more last year, or approved for the online system | Generally no other documents |
| 3 | Filed last year's withholding summary | A copy of that summary; ISA's page says other papers are generally not needed (its April 2026 checklist is titled for categories 3 and 4, so confirm) |
| 4 | Everyone else, such as a new company | The full set, plus papers explaining why there is no summary |

For category 4, and per ISA's checklist for categories 3 and 4 (in operation from April 2026), the papers include:

- a transfer order or notice, or, if the transfer is between different legal entities, a written working-conditions notice;
- proof of the link between the old and new office, such as a branch registration or a capital relationship;
- your CV and a document from the foreign office showing your duties, position and pay over the past year;
- the Japanese company's registration, profile and latest financial statements.

Documents issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months. Foreign-language documents need a Japanese translation. You may be asked for papers that aren't on the list.

## How long does the visa last?

ISA grants **5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months**. ISA picks the period. The agency's pages don't say how.

## Can my family come with me?

Yes, they can apply. A spouse or child can use **Dependent (家族滞在)** status. ISA lists Intra-company Transferee among the statuses that can support dependents. The period is set by ISA, up to 5 years. Expect to show proof of your family relationship, a copy of your residence card or passport, and proof of your job and income. See the [dependent visa guide](/visa/visas/dependent-visa-japan/).

## Can you switch to another visa?

The transferee status covers work at the Japanese office you were moved to. If you want to do something else, such as join a different employer, you apply for a **change of status of residence** (在留資格変更許可申請) before your period of stay ends. ISA says to apply promptly when you are about to do the activities of a new status, and warns that your status can be canceled if you aren't doing the activities of your current one.

| Item | Detail (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Standard processing | 1 to 2 months |
| Counter fee, 1 year granted | ¥33,000 |
| Counter fee, 3 to under 5 years | ¥64,000 |
| Counter fee, 5 years | ¥75,000 |
| Payment | Revenue stamps (収入印紙) at the counter |

Fees apply to applications received from October 1, 2026. Applications received by September 30, 2026 paid the old ¥6,000. Some applicants qualify for a reduced ¥10,000 fee. You can file yourself or through an authorized agent such as a 行政書士. For the full process, see [change of status of residence](/visa/visas/change-of-status-of-residence-japan/).

**Notifying ISA of a new employer:** ISA's contracting-organization notification (所属機関に関する届出) is due within 14 days of a job change. The statuses on ISA's page include Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services but not Intra-company Transferee, and the page doesn't say whether transferees must file. Ask the immigration bureau.

## What to bring and say

- Your passport and residence card.
- The transfer order, with your position and pay.
- Proof of your year abroad: CV and a document from the foreign office.
- A Japanese translation of any foreign-language paper.

At the counter, say which status you hold and what you want to change to. Ask the staff or a 行政書士 whether a given job fits the status you are applying for.

More guides: [visa renewal in Japan](/visa/visas/visa-renewal-japan/), [Highly Skilled Professional visa](/visa/visas/highly-skilled-professional-visa-japan/), [quitting a job on a work visa](/work/jobs/quitting-job-japan-visa/).

## Questions people ask

### What are the requirements for the intra-company transferee visa in Japan?

Two tests in the Immigration Services Agency's criteria: you worked continuously for one year or more, just before the transfer, at the company's office abroad in specialist work, and you will be paid at least what a Japanese employee would get for the work.

### How long does the intra-company transferee visa last?

5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. The agency decides which one you get.

### Do I need a degree or JLPT for an intra-company transfer to Japan?

The agency's published criteria for this status list no degree and no Japanese-language test. They list the one-year rule and the equal-pay rule. The agency may still ask for documents about your duties.

### Can I switch from the intra-company transferee visa to another work visa?

Yes, by applying for a change of status of residence before your period of stay ends. The agency's standard processing period is 1 to 2 months. A new employer or a different kind of job is a reason to ask the agency or a 行政書士 which status fits.

### Can my family come with me on an intra-company transfer?

Your spouse and children can apply for Dependent (家族滞在) status. The agency lists Intra-company Transferee among the statuses that can support dependents, for a period of up to 5 years.

## Sources

- [在留資格「企業内転勤」](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/intracompanytransfee.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [在留資格「企業内転勤」該当する活動・上陸許可基準 (Activity and landing criteria)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001368446.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [「企業内転勤」に係る提出書類一覧【カテゴリー３・４】 (Document list, categories 3 and 4, from April 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001457117.pdf), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [在留資格変更許可申請 (Change of status of residence)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [在留資格「家族滞在」 (Dependent)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [所属（契約）機関に関する届出 (Notification of contracting organization)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00015.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 27, 2026)