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Japan will tighten residency screening for foreign workers entering the country under intra-company transfer status, with stricter checks on employment history, tax compliance and supporting documents, Nikkei Asia reported. The reform aims to address concerns over misuse of the category and strengthen oversight of foreign workers.
The decision comes under the administration of Sanae Takaichi, with the Immigration Services Agency leading the changes. As per Nikkei Asia report, authorities will now verify applicants’ previous employment in countries where they worked before moving to Japan.
Stricter scrutiny of transfer visa category
The intra-company transferee status, which allows employees to move within the same company to Japan, has faced criticism for being easier to obtain than other residency routes. It does not require strict academic qualifications, raising concerns over the quality of applicants.
At the end of 2025, around 20,000 foreign nationals were in Japan under this category. The revised process aims to filter out individuals without genuine work experience. Authorities have informed affected applicants about the updated requirements.
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Under the new rules, applicants must submit detailed documents, including social insurance records, corporate registrations and tax payment history from overseas. They must also provide proof of business operations in Japan, such as registration records and photographs of workplaces. Earlier, the process required basic documents like passports and residence certificates.
Focus on tax compliance and longer-term review
The government is also increasing checks on tax filings after cases where foreign employees claimed salaries were paid outside Japan and did not file required returns. If authorities find fraudulent declarations, they can deny renewal of residency and work status.
Officials will also review the duration of stay more strictly, according to Nikkei Asia report. While residency is typically granted for three months to five years, longer periods will require clear justification.
The reform is part of a wider review of residency standards in Japan. The government has already introduced a Japanese-language requirement for permanent residency applicants and increased capital requirements for foreign business managers.
The decision comes under the administration of Sanae Takaichi, with the Immigration Services Agency leading the changes. As per Nikkei Asia report, authorities will now verify applicants’ previous employment in countries where they worked before moving to Japan.
Stricter scrutiny of transfer visa category
The intra-company transferee status, which allows employees to move within the same company to Japan, has faced criticism for being easier to obtain than other residency routes. It does not require strict academic qualifications, raising concerns over the quality of applicants.At the end of 2025, around 20,000 foreign nationals were in Japan under this category. The revised process aims to filter out individuals without genuine work experience. Authorities have informed affected applicants about the updated requirements.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
Under the new rules, applicants must submit detailed documents, including social insurance records, corporate registrations and tax payment history from overseas. They must also provide proof of business operations in Japan, such as registration records and photographs of workplaces. Earlier, the process required basic documents like passports and residence certificates.
Focus on tax compliance and longer-term review
The government is also increasing checks on tax filings after cases where foreign employees claimed salaries were paid outside Japan and did not file required returns. If authorities find fraudulent declarations, they can deny renewal of residency and work status.Officials will also review the duration of stay more strictly, according to Nikkei Asia report. While residency is typically granted for three months to five years, longer periods will require clear justification.
The reform is part of a wider review of residency standards in Japan. The government has already introduced a Japanese-language requirement for permanent residency applicants and increased capital requirements for foreign business managers.
