Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Status
Part-time work rules for students and non-work visa holders
Residence statuses such as Student, Dependent, and Cultural Activities generally prohibit employment. To work, you must obtain 'permission to engage in activity outside your status' in advance. Exceeding the 28-hour/week limit (for students) risks status cancellation and can affect job offers, so careful management is required.
Who this is for: Foreign nationals on a student, dependent, or cultural activities visa who want to or currently do part-time work.
Case-by-Case Review Points & Strategies
Case 1: Regular Part-Time Work for Students (Within 28 Hours/Week)
Low RiskSituation
Enrolled in university on Student status. Wants to work part-time at a convenience store or restaurant during non-class hours
Strategy
Check the back of the residence card for the permission to engage in outside activities column. If applied through the school at enrollment, comprehensive permission of 'within 28 hours/week, excluding adult entertainment businesses' is often already granted. If not obtained, apply at the immigration office.
Key Point: During summer and winter vacations, the limit is relaxed to 40 hours/week. However, this is limited to 'long school vacation periods' — exceeding the limit during term time is subject to status cancellation.
Case 2: Part-Time Work for Dependent Visa Holders
Low RiskSituation
Living in Japan on a dependent's visa under a spouse's Engineer/Humanities status. Wants to work and earn income
Strategy
Apply individually at the immigration office for permission to engage in outside activities. After permission, can work up to 28 hours/week. If full-time work is desired in the future, changing to Engineer/Humanities or similar is an option.
Key Point: The permission is noted on the residence card. Showing this to an employer proves legal eligibility to work. Working without permission constitutes illegal employment, which can lead to arrest, status cancellation, and deportation.
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
Any period of work without permission can be problematic in future residence status applications (especially for permanent residency). Employers have an obligation to verify work eligibility on the residence card before hiring — 'I didn't know' is not an excuse.
Free Consultation with an Immigration Specialist
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