Japan Intra-company Transferee Visa | COE Application
JAPAN INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE VISA
Japan Intra-company Transferee Visa | COE and Japan Assignment Support
For overseas employers, international HR teams and employees assigned to Japan. Understand the one-year overseas employment requirement, corporate relationships, remuneration, Japan-side documents and COE process.
Phone hours: 9:00–18:00 Japan time. Nationwide and overseas enquiries.
When the Intra-company Transferee status may apply
This status generally concerns an employee working at an overseas establishment of an organization that also has an office in Japan, who is transferred for a defined period to perform specialist duties in Japan. The proposed duties must correspond to those covered by Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.
Japan branch of the same company
An overseas employee transfers to a Japan branch or office of the same legal organization.
Japan subsidiary or group entity
A qualifying corporate relationship between the overseas and Japanese entities must be documented.
Specialist duties in Japan
Software engineering, technical planning, business analysis or other eligible specialist activities.
Key immigration requirements
Documents from the overseas company and Japanese office
| Overseas employer | Japanese receiving office |
|---|---|
| Registration and evidence of business activity | Corporate registration and evidence of operations in Japan |
| Employment record, position, specialist duties and salary | Department, workplace, job description and assignment period |
| Transfer decision and pay arrangements | Assignment terms, remuneration and receiving organization category |
| Group ownership and company relationship records | Supporting corporate relationship records, where relevant |
Salary paid outside Japan
Salary paid by the overseas head office does not by itself determine the immigration outcome. We examine which organization employs and directs the transferee, the total remuneration, any expatriate allowances and the documentary support for the pay arrangement.
COE and arrival procedure
The COE is not an entry visa and does not guarantee visa issuance or landing permission. Processing times and requests for additional evidence vary.
Alternative: local employment in Japan
If the overseas assignment ends and the employee is locally hired in Japan, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services may be more suitable. Eligibility must then be assessed under that status’s independent education, experience, employment and documentation requirements.
Professional fees
| Application | Professional fee (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | From ¥110,000 |
| Change of status of residence | From ¥110,000 |
| Ordinary extension of stay | From ¥44,000 |
Fees are for administrative scrivener services. Translations, certificates, postage and other disbursements are separate; government permission fees may apply. The COE application itself has no government filing fee. A quotation is issued before engagement.
Frequently asked questions
Can an employee be transferred from a foreign subsidiary to Japan?
Potentially, where the corporate relationship, qualifying employment history, specialist duties and other requirements are met.
Must the salary be paid in Japan?
Not necessarily. The contractual structure, actual compensation and supporting evidence matter.
Does every applicant need a university degree?
Not as a universal standalone requirement for the Intra-company Transferee category, but the qualifying overseas service and duties criteria must still be met.
Can our company transfer several employees at once?
Yes, multi-employee arrangements can be coordinated, but each employee’s eligibility and application are assessed individually.
Can spouses and children accompany the employee?
Qualifying dependent spouses and children may be considered for the Dependent status under separate applications and supporting evidence.
Official resources and related services
Plan your employee’s transfer to Japan
Tell us about the overseas employer, Japanese receiving office, corporate relationship, job duties, assignment dates and remuneration. We will explain what evidence and filing arrangement to examine.
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office · Sagae, Yamagata · 9:00–18:00 JST