Japan tightens company-transfer visa checks

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency began stricter screening for the Intra-Company Transferee residence status on April 1, requiring more objective proof that applicants were working for an overseas office before moving. The change applies to new certificates of eligibility, status changes and extensions.

Applicants in the lower-tier categories now need more than a basic employment letter. The agency is asking for documents such as social insurance enrollment records in the home country, corporate registration papers, tax compliance records and proof that the overseas office actually existed.

Who feels the change

Multinational staff transferred as managers or specialists are the main group affected. For categories 3 and 4, missing paperwork can slow relocation or lead to denials, especially if the overseas company can't show clean tax or labor records.

Digital nomads and independent expats aren't covered by this visa and tourists are unaffected. Still, the tighter review adds another layer of scrutiny to Japan’s work visa process and applicants who rely on incomplete HR files may run into delays.

What employers and applicants need ready

For lower-tier applicants, the filing set now includes transfer orders, a resume, about 1 year of work history records, overseas office registration and tax documents, plus Japan-side materials such as office photos, a lease and financial statements. Foreign documents need translation and processing may take longer while officials verify them.

Extensions can still run from 3 months to 5 years, but renewals beyond 5 years face closer review. Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture and check our visa updates feed for more changes.