Required Documents and Application Flow for the Intra-company Transferee Visa｜Adapting to the April 2026 Document Changes
Introduction
When applying for the Intra-company Transferee visa, the required documents vary according to the size (category) of the receiving company. In addition, the Immigration Services Agency has announced changes to the submitted documents that take effect on April 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8), so checking the latest information is essential.
This article organizes the required documents by company category and explains the application flow and key points to note.
This article is based on publicly available information from the Immigration Services Agency on the “Intra-company Transferee” status of residence. Because the required documents are subject to change, be sure to check the latest document list on the official website before applying.
Three Application Patterns
There are three types of procedures for an Intra-company Transferee application, depending on the situation.
| Pattern | Procedure | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Bringing in from overseas | Application for a Certificate of Eligibility | Newly bringing an employee currently abroad into Japan |
| Changing from another status | Application for change of status of residence | A foreign national in Japan changing to Intra-company Transferee |
| Extending the period | Application for extension of period of stay | Renewal for someone already residing as an Intra-company Transferee |
The most common is the “Application for a Certificate of Eligibility” to bring over an employee from an overseas group company.
Required Documents by Category
The documents to be submitted differ significantly depending on the company category (1 to 4).
Documents Required in Common
- Application for a Certificate of Eligibility
- Photograph (specified size)
- Return envelope (if delivery by mail is desired)
Categories 1 and 2 (listed companies, large-scale companies, etc.)
- Materials proving the category (a copy of the Shikiho, certification of withholding income tax of 10 million yen or more, etc.)
- In many cases the application form alone is sufficient, and supporting materials are simplified
Categories 3 and 4 (small and medium-sized companies, newly established companies, etc.)
The lower the category, the more detailed supporting materials such as the following are required.
- Materials clarifying the content of the applicant’s activities (transfer order, employment contract, etc.)
- Documents proving that, for at least one year immediately prior to the transfer, the applicant was engaged at an overseas office in work equivalent to the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services category (certificate of employment stating job content, position, and remuneration)
- Materials showing the relationship between the offices in Japan and abroad (certificate of registered matters, organizational chart, materials showing the capital relationship, etc.)
- Materials clarifying the scale and business content of the office in Japan (certificate of registered matters, copies of financial statements, company brochure, etc.)
Key Point: The important documents specific to the Intra-company Transferee status are “proof of at least one year of continuous employment immediately prior” and “proof of the capital relationship between the two offices.” If these two points are insufficient, the risk of denial increases.
Document Changes Taking Effect on April 1, 2026
The Immigration Services Agency has announced “Concerning the Change of Submitted Documents for the ‘Intra-company Transferee’ Status of Residence (taking effect on April 1, Reiwa 8).” Because the documents required may change depending on the timing of the application, please note the following points.
- Before applying, be sure to check the latest list of submitted documents on the official website of the Immigration Services Agency
- Preparing with an old form or an old document list may result in a request for additional submissions, delaying the review
- For any unclear points, consult the Regional Immigration Services Bureau or a specialist
The specific changes are described in the official attached materials. The information in this article is an overview, and for actual applications, the latest official guidance takes precedence.
Application Flow
- Confirm the category of the receiving company
- Prepare the required documents according to the category (obtaining and translating overseas documents may take time)
- Submit the Application for a Certificate of Eligibility to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
- Review (the standard processing period is roughly 1 to 3 months, varying by case)
- Receive the Certificate of Eligibility and send it to the employee abroad
- The employee applies for a visa at an overseas mission and comes to Japan
Pre-application Checklist
- Have you correctly determined the category of the receiving company?
- Have you prepared documents proving at least one year of continuous employment immediately prior?
- Have you prepared materials showing the capital relationship between the offices in Japan and abroad?
- Can you demonstrate that the remuneration is at least equal to that of a Japanese national?
- Have you checked the latest list of submitted documents (from April 2026 onward)?
Our Support
Collecting overseas documents and proving the capital relationship is a heavy burden for a company’s HR staff. Kaneko Hidetaka Gyoseishoshi Office provides comprehensive support, from selecting and preparing documents to handling communications with the Immigration Bureau.
- A track record of a 98% approval rate
- Languages supported: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and English
- First consultation free