最終更新日 2023-02-16
Do you want to work on a part-time basis for an extra income? In Japan, there are some restrictions on part-time jobs that foreign nationals living in Japan can do, depending on their residence status.
This will give you a rough idea of restrictions on the scope of possible employment activities so that you do not violate the laws and regulations in connection with your status of residence.
Your residence history will be damaged if you violate such laws and rules. For example, your next visa renewal application may not be permitted, or you may be liable for deportation in the worst-case scenario.
This article covers the following topics:
- Three groupings of the statuses of residence
- Part-time job for Group 1
- Part-time job for Group 2
- Part-time job for Group 3
- Activities not considered as employment activities
Three groupings of the statuses of residence
There are 29 types of statuses of residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (“immigration law”) in Japan. As mentioned in my blog post “What You Should Know About Your Status of Residence,” these statuses of residence can be grouped into “activity-based group” and “personal status-based group.”
Other than these groupings, the 29 statuses of residence can be classified into three groups according to whether employment activities are permitted or not.
The term “employment activities” means activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which a foreign national receives a reward.
The 29 statuses of residence can be grouped into three groups as follows:
<Group 1>
Statuses of residence under which foreign nationals are permitted to engage in employment activities, namely,
- Diplomat, Official, Professor, Artist, Religious Activities, and Journalist that are listed in the Appended Table I (1);
- Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, Nursing Care, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, and Technical Intern Training that are listed in Appended Table I (2); and
- a part of Designated Activities in the Appended Table I (5).
<Group 2>
Statuses of residence under which foreign nationals are free to engage in any lawful employment activities, namely,
- Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, and Long-Term Resident listed in the Appended Table II (all of them also belong to the Personal Status-based Group).
<Group 3>
Statuses of residence under which foreign nationals are not, in principle, permitted to engage in any employment activities, namely,
- Cultural Activities and Temporary Visitor listed in Appended Table I (3);
- Student, Trainee, and Dependent listed in Appended Table I (4); and
- a part of Designated Activities listed in Appended Table I (5).
Part-time job for Group 1
The foreign nationals granted one of the statuses of residence in Group 1 can, in principle, engage only in the business that is expressly permitted by the terms of the status of residence.
If they wish to engage in employment activities (such as part-time jobs) outside the scope of their original status of residence, they need to obtain special permission to engage in extra-status activities.
The Immigration Services Agency examines applications for permission to engage in extra-status activities. Permission will be granted only if the commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds that the paid work would not impede the original activities under their status of residence and that there are reasonable grounds to do so.
Part-time job for Group 2
Those granted one of the residence statuses in Group 2 can engage in any business as no restrictions are imposed on the scope of their work activities.
Nevertheless, suppose they engage in activities that may raise doubts about their original residence status eligibility. In that case, such facts may be considered unfavorably in their future renewal applications (applications for permission to extend the period of stay) or applications for change of residence status.
Part-time job for Group 3
Foreign nationals granted one of the residence statuses in Group 3 cannot, in principle, engage in employment activities.
This restriction protects them from being obstructed from engaging in the original activities under their residence status.
If they wish to engage in employment activities (such as part-time jobs), they must obtain special permission to engage in extra-status activities.
In practice, permission to engage in extra-status activities may be granted to foreign nationals with the Student or Dependent statuses of residence subject to conditions of time limit of 28 hours per week.
Activities not considered as employment activities
For your information, the following activities with rewards and payments are some examples of activities that are not considered to be employment activities:
- lectures, advice, production of novels and other copyright works, and appearance in broadcasting programs, all of which are not done on a regular/business basis; and
- daily housework to help a friend, relative, or acquaintance.
If you are considering of engaging in employment activities outside of your original status of residence, you should well in advance consult with an expert as to:
- whether an application for permission to engage in extra-status activities is necessary;
- whether there is a reasonable prospect of success in obtaining permission to engage in extra-status activities;
- what conditions would be imposed for permission; and
- how that would affect your current and future status of residence, and so on.