Who meets the criteria for executives and senior management under Japan immigration law?
Can a Foreign Executive Be Transferred to a Subsidiary or Branch in Japan Under the Intra-Company Transferee Status of Residence?
Foreign executives of a parent company overseas are not eligible for transfer to Japan under the “Intra-Company Transferee” status of residence. Instead, they must apply for a “Business Manager” visa or a “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b)” status.
Can a Foreign Executive Enter Japan on an Intra-Company Transferee Visa?
It is not uncommon for executives and directors of foreign parent companies, branches, subsidiaries, or affiliate entities to be assigned to a Japanese entity.
However, if the foreign executive intends to engage in activities as a corporate officer or senior management at a Japanese entity, they are not permitted to do so under the Intra-Company Transferee status. This status is intended strictly for employees transferred within the same corporate group to engage in technical, humanities, or international services work—not to exercise managerial or executive-level authority.
Therefore, foreign executives are generally required to obtain a “Business Manager” status of residence or a “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b)” visa, depending on their position and responsibilities.
That said, determining the appropriate visa status may be difficult in practice, particularly in cases where the individual does not hold a title formally recognized under Japan’s Companies Act (such as Representative Director or Executive Officer). For example, even if someone is titled “Managing Director (MD),” their actual role may vary significantly—some MDs are given full authority over budgeting and personnel, while others have no decision-making authority.
Visa Eligibility Depends on Multiple Corporate and Personal Factors
In order for a foreign executive to obtain a Business Manager visa in Japan, various regulatory factors must be met. These include the business scale of the Japanese entity, composition of the board of directors, the executive’s managerial experience, and the existence of a physical business location (head office) in Japan.
In particular, if the Japanese subsidiary or branch is small in scale or newly established, additional scrutiny may apply. Because the boundaries between different statuses of residence can be difficult to distinguish, it is advisable to consult an immigration specialist when determining the appropriate visa classification.
See also: Requirements for the “Business Manager” Status of Residence
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About the Author
Masakazu Murai
Mr. Murai previously worked in investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, a joint venture between Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Morgan Stanley. He provided advisory services on capital raising and M&A transactions for corporate clients.
While serving on the frontlines, he also took an active role as a central executive officer in the employee union, where he promoted diversity and inclusion for women and foreign employees and worked on labor policy improvements. His professional expertise includes Japanese immigration procedures for foreign nationals and financial consulting.
- Certified Administrative Scrivener (authorized to file with Immigration Services Agency)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Member, Securities Analysts Association of Japan