Expatriate Visas for Foreign Companies Expanding into Japan

🏢 Choice of form of establishment of a Japanese corporation and the flow of entry into the Japanese market

- A guide for foreign companies considering expansion into Japan.

Hello.

Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office in Shinjuku, TokyoIt is.

Today, we will discuss the options available to foreign companies entering the Japanese market.legal form of incorporationAnd,

We will introduce the establishment procedures and the differences between them in an easy-to-understand manner.

📌 Three forms to choose from when expanding into Japan

When a foreign company starts business in Japan, it can choose from the following three forms

(i) Establishment of representative office

• Market research, liaison work, and information gathering.preliminary stage of preparationForms suitable for
• However,Operating activities (revenue-generating activities) are not allowed.

Establishment of Japan Branch

• Acting as a branch of an overseas headquarters in Japan
• In the name of the head officeSales activities are possible
• Registration required
• Management and administrative visas are also available.

(iii) Establishment of a Japanese corporation (joint stock company or limited liability company)

Most common choice for all aspects of recruitment, visas, tax processing, etc.

In JapanIndependent legal entityEstablishment of a company with

More freedom of business development andSecuring credit in Japanadvantageous to

Comparison Table

(data) item	representative office (e.g. of a company)	Japan Branch	Japan Corporation (Joint stock company, limited liability company)
business activities	not allowed	possible	possible
registration	unnecessary	necessary	necessary
Establishment of office	possible	necessary	necessary
capital stock	unnecessary	Capital of head office in home country (Korea)	necessary
Obtaining a Visa	Partially possible (with some restrictions)	possible	possible
accounting	Business activities not permitted	Combined processing with headquarters in home country	Processed solely by the Japanese corporation
(lawyer's) liability	Business activities not permitted	extend to the home corporation	Japanese corporation only
Time required for establishment	unnecessary	Approx. 1 month	Approx. 1 month)

🧭 Basic Flow of Entering the Japanese Market

1. Determination of corporate form 　→ Select one of the three above
2. Secure office space 　→ Necessary for visa application and corporate registration
3. Secure office space 　→ Necessary for visa application and corporate registration
4. Registration and tax procedures 　→ After registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau, procedures with tax office, pension office, labor insurance, etc.
5. Visa applications (business management/administration/intra-company transfers, etc.) 　→ Obtaining residency status for representatives and assignees
6. Open a bank account and start business 　→ After registration is completed, a bank account can be opened in Japan

💡 Which form should I choose?

• For short-term assignments or market research purposes 　→directional marker or indicator Representative office or Japan branchis recommended
• If you are considering full-scale business development, investment, or hiring of human resources 　→directional marker or indicator Incorporation of a joint stock company or limited liability companyis common

✅ Supplemental: If a foreigner wishes to obtain a business administration visa, he/she must establish a Japanese corporation and secure a certain amount of capital and office space.

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📍Support by Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office

The Firm has been working with foreign companiesEstablishment of a Japanese corporation and application for status of residence (visa)We provide professional support for

✔ Korean language support, many Korean companies have experience

✔ Proposal of optimal corporate form

✔ Various documentation and certification procedures for establishment

✔ Agency for obtaining management/administrative visa and intra-company transfer visa

📌 What is an expatriate visa (intra-company transfer visa)?

The expatriate visa (status of residence: intra-company transfer) is,

A foreigner working for an overseas company for a certain period of time,Transfer to the head office in Japan or to a branch office or group companyShih,

This is a status of residence to engage in work that falls under the category of "Technical/Humanities/International Services.

✔ Also commonly referred to as "expatriate visa".

This visa program is designed to facilitate global personnel transfers for companies.

Requirements for applying for an expatriate visa

The following requirements must be met

Main conditions

• Must be engaged in the subject business 　IT engineers, technicians, accountants, interpreters/translators, designers, and other jobs that fall under "technical, humanities, and international services" > ❌ Simple labor is not covered

• The business condition of the Japanese company must be stable.
  → Financial documents must be submitted.

• To be transferred for a fixed period of time.
  → Not a status of residence based on long-term stay

• Must have been engaged in the subject business at an overseas office for at least one year immediately prior to the application.
  → If you do not meet the requirements, you can still apply for a "Technical/Humanities/International Services Visa".

• Must be able to prove the capital relationship between the foreign company and the Japanese company.

• To be paid at the same level of salary as Japanese nationals

3. pattern of eligible transfers

The intra-company transfer visa applies to various forms of personnel transfers.

Typical pattern

• Transfers between group companies 　Transfers within the same group are also possible * Due to the wide scope of application, you must consult with your company or professional organization for details

• Intradepartmental transfers 　Transfers within the same company. (This also applies to departmental transfers due to team changes or promotions.

• Inter-branch transfers 　Transfer between offices within the same corporation, e.g., Tokyo Branch → Osaka Branch

• Head Office → Transfer to Subsidiary 　Not only subsidiaries, but also transfers to affiliated companies are covered.

4. period of stay

The duration of stay for an intra-company transfer visa is granted for one of the following

⏱ 5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months

• The period of stay is determined based on the transfer plan
• Due to a change in transfer plans,Renewal of period of stay is possible.

💡 Relationship to the Advanced Professional System

80 points or morePermanent residence can be applied for in as little as one year.

Advanced human resources point70 points or morePermanent residence can be applied for in as little as 3 years.

5. family members

If you have an intra-company transfer visa,Spouse and Childrenonly

."Family Resident VisaGet the "+" andCan be accompanied byIt is.

❌ Parents, parents-in-law, siblings, etc. are not allowed to accompany the child.

6. documents required for visa application (example)

The actual required documents vary depending on the details of the application and will be explained in detail at an individual consultation.

• If accompanied by a family member: Marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.

• Certificate of registered matters, business plan, and financial statements of the Japanese company

• Resume, certificate of employment, and job description for transferees

• Explanatory material on capital relationship between foreign and Japanese companies

• Documentation of salary conditions

7. summary and consultation

Thus, the "intra-company transfer visa (expatriate visa)" is

Various conditions and documents are required.Specialized Resident StatusIt is.

Visa'sAcquisition and renewalof course,

Support for future permanent residence applicationsis very important.

At our office, we do not merely apply for visas on your behalf,

Support for long-term stable life in JapanThe goal is to achieve the following

📍 Contact Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office for your Japan visa needs.

• ✔ Korean language support available
• ✔ Face-to-face and online consultation in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• ✔ Wide range of services from work visa, expatriate visa, business administration visa, and permanent residence application

👉 For consultations and reservations, please feel free to contact us through our blog or website.

We will do our best to support your new start in Japan!