最終更新日 2023-02-15
Are you considering working in Japan at your company’s branch office? With this post, I will be sure to show you the most appropriate status of residence you might need to consider and its requirements and restrictions.
This article covers the following topics:
- The first choice for intra-company relocation of staff members for a limited time
- Other possible statuses of residence for an employee of an overseas company to be relocated
- Restrictions in working with the status of residence “Intra-company Transferee”
１．The first choice for intra-company relocation of staff members for a limited time
An “intra-company transferee” visa is the first choice for an employee of an overseas company to be relocated to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company in Japan for a fixed period. But you would need to meet the following conditions.
(i) At an overseas company, the employee to be relocated (applicant) has been engaged in work under the category of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” for at least one year immediately before the relocation date. This type of work includes mechanical engineers, system engineers, computer programmers, translators, interpreters, language instructors, public relations, overseas transactions, product developers, those in charge of accounting, marketing, corporate legal work, or general affairs;
(ii) The above one-year period may include the period in which the applicant has already worked in the receiving Japanese office with the status of residence “Intra-company Transferee” within one year immediately before the relocation, if applicable;
(iii) The applicant’s remuneration or salary is equivalent to or more than the amount to be paid to a Japanese national for comparable work; and
(iv) At the receiving Japanese office, the applicant must be engaged in work under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services category.”
２．Other possible statuses of residence for an employee of an overseas company to be relocated
(i) If the applicant does not meet the one-year requirement (above 1(i) and (ii)) but satisfies all the requirements for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” they may consider obtaining the status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” This is because it requires less documentation than in the case of “Intra-company Transferee.”
(ii) If the applicant is going to be engaged in managerial duties at the receiving Japanese office, such work might fall under the category of “Business Manager,” and the applicant may need to apply for the status of residence “Business Manager” instead of “Intra-company Transferee.”
３．Restrictions in working with the status of residence “Intra-company Transferee”
(i) Although the period of stay is renewable as long as all the requirements are met, you are not supposed to work endlessly in Japan with this status of residence. As this residence status is for employees to be relocated for a fixed period, a certain period must be specified in a transfer letter or a written appointment to be submitted to the Immigration Office.
(ii) You are not supposed to change Japan’s workplace under this residence status. This is because the “Intra-company Transferee” residence status is granted in connection with the activities to be engaged in a specific workplace in Japan. If you quit your job and wish to start working for another company in Japan, you must apply for Permission to Change of Status of Residence to new residence status upon meeting all its requirements.
iii) You are not allowed to work for remuneration or profit other than for the Japanese office specified in the residence status, even if your contract allows you to do so. In that case, you must obtain a permit from the Justice Minister for extra-status activity.
The above is a general overview of the “Intra-company transferee” residence status. In actual cases, more thought should be given to the wording of the corresponding provision, namely, the structure of and relationship between the overseas entity and the receiving entity in Japan. Also, remember that the receiving entity in Japan must have an adequate workspace and conduct business properly, stable, and continuously.