I am looking at an offer for a role in Japan and it includes a large relocation budget but it needs to be expensed for each individual cost through a relocation vendor.
Previously when transferring to Singapore this allowance was just given as cash, so was interested in how the Japan relocation allowance works in practice.
Of course this might be different depending on the provider but any experiences would be appreciated as when I asked the recruiter he had no experience with it.
For example, could you use it to furnish your house, did that include buying a bicycle etc.
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Sounds like you are trying to the game the system asking for free bicycles. What else are you going to ask for? A fridge full of beer? Adult orientated magazines for under your futon?
Of all the downvote junkies on this subreddit, the ones who hate on people with good pay and benefits are the most mysterious
Relocation vendor? My company just added it to my first month’s paycheck, taxed and all.
If you’ve yet to accept the offer, it might be something you could negotiate
I don’t think there’s any universal way “how it works in Japan”. Each company/vendor works in different way. Some offer cash, some will pay for predetermined items or expense invoices. In my case most was spent on moving companies, flight and temporary housing. Don’t remember if I had any cash allowance or not.
We just got our budget in cash, transferred to our bank account. With that, all upcoming expenses (flights, vaccinations, visa stuff etc.) was considered done by the Japanese side. If we used less, great, we can keep the surplus. If we need to spend more, our problem.
I guess it depends on the company. My previous company when I arrived here just paid me the money. No questions asked about how I spent it.
Should definitely check with the company about what qualifies. Some even let you use the relocation money to pay for your rent, in addition to a few months of free corporate housing.
My 2022 relocation from US to JP at a large tech company in a sr. non-manager position had 2 options to choose from:
1. 1 lump sum of between $15-16k USD for you to do everything yourself, OR
2. Relocation package including:
* Moving/shipping services
* By air for small things; limit was 2 LDN containers, which are each just under 5’x5’x5′, which can be filled with boxes, and by sea for furniture)
* 2 nights’ hotel stay (could be used before or after flight or split)
* About $5k in cash to cover incidental costs / pet services / misc needs and issues
* Like a day or 2 of help with apt hunting if needed / info about different areas
* Up to 45 days temporary housing OR 1st month’s rent if you don’t need temporary housing
* Transportation costs covered for first 30 days
* Food can be expensed while in airport
It’s possible I’m forgetting a detail or two, because the relo package was extensive.
My company (US based) itemized household goods movement, airfare, and provided something like 10k USD to cover miscellaneous expenses like rental security deposits.