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Can You Do a Side Job or Part-Time Work? — Permission for Activities Outside Status and the 28-Hour Rule
Working without knowing the rules can make it "illegal work." What you need to know to protect your visa
📖 8 min read📅 2026-09-21
"I wanted to earn even a little more, so I quietly took on extra part-time work" — he never imagined those words could put his residence status at risk.
Tuan (22), from Can Tho in Vietnam, was an international student at a Japanese language school. To cover his tuition and living costs, he worked part-time at a convenience store. But that wasn't enough, and he also wanted to send money home to his family. So he started a second part-time job at another shop.
"I have permission to engage in activities outside my status, so it should be fine" — that's what Tuan thought. But when he added up the hours from his two part-time jobs, it came to about 35 hours a week. International students can work "up to 28 hours per week." Without realizing it, he had gone over that limit.
When it came time to renew his period of stay, immigration pointed out that his working hours were "too high." Tuan turned pale. In the worst case, he was told, his residence status renewal might not be approved.
Tuan hadn't known that the 28 hours are calculated as "the total of all part-time jobs." And that going over it counts as "illegal work" with serious consequences for your residence status.
Side jobs and part-time work come with rules unique to foreigners. So you don't lose your visa by working without knowing them, make sure you understand them accurately.
For foreigners, the "scope of work you're allowed to do" is set by your residence status. To work beyond that scope (including side jobs and part-time work), you need "permission to engage in activities outside your status." We explain the common questions in a Q&A format.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Wait — can't foreigners do part-time work freely in the first place?
A.No — the "scope of work you're allowed to do" is set by your residence status. For example, "Student" is intended for study, so to work you need "permission to engage in activities outside your status." The same goes for "Dependent." On the other hand, work-based residence statuses (Engineer/Specialist, Specified Skilled Worker, etc.) allow the work permitted by that status, but a side job outside that scope requires separate permission. Working outside your scope without permission counts as "illegal work."
Q.What is the "28-hour-per-week rule" for Student and Dependent statuses?
A.When a person with Student or Dependent status obtains "permission to engage in activities outside status (comprehensive permission)," they can do part-time work within 28 hours per week. However, under the Immigration Services Agency's practice, these 28 hours mean that "no matter which day of the week you start counting from, you must not exceed 28 hours in any consecutive seven-day period," and if you hold multiple part-time jobs, all your working hours are added together for the calculation. Note that during a school's long vacation periods (such as summer break), international students may work up to 8 hours per day. You cannot work at businesses such as adult-entertainment establishments.
Q.Like Tuan, what happens if holding multiple jobs pushes you over 28 hours?
A.Exceeding 28 hours counts as a "violation of activities outside status (illegal work)." This is a very serious matter that can lead to revocation of your residence status, non-approval of your period-of-stay renewal, and deportation (forced return home). "I didn't know" or "I only went over a little" may not be enough to excuse it. If you work at multiple shops, record all your own working hours and be sure to manage them so the total does not exceed 28 hours per week.
Q.Can I do a side job even on a work visa (such as Engineer/Specialist)?
A.If it falls within the scope of work permitted by the same residence status as your main job, working a side job or for multiple companies may be possible (for example, a person with Engineer/Specialist status performing Engineer/Specialist duties at another company too). However, a side job outside that scope — for example, a person with Engineer/Specialist status doing simple-labor part-time work at a convenience store or restaurant — requires permission to engage in activities outside status, and such simple labor is generally not eligible for that permission. When you want to work outside your scope, always check with immigration in advance.
Q.How do I get permission to engage in activities outside status? What does it cost?
A.You apply to the Immigration Services Agency. You can apply at the same time as a change or renewal of your residence status, or apply on its own. Once granted, it is noted on the back of your residence card, or on a sticker placed in your passport (the permission certificate for activities outside status). When applying, check the latest guidance from immigration. Working outside your scope without obtaining permission counts as illegal work, so always follow the order of "get permission before you start working."
Q.Is the money I earn from part-time work also taxed?
A.Yes, it is. But this is a matter of "tax rules (National Tax Agency)," which is separate from "whether you're allowed to work (immigration rules)." People who live in Japan for a year or more are subject to income tax and resident tax, including on part-time income. Year-end adjustment or a tax return may also be required. It is not the case that "if you have permission to engage in activities outside status, you don't need to worry about taxes." Whether you may work (immigration) and taxes (the tax office) are separate systems, and you need to follow both.
🤝 Where to get help (free, multilingual, anonymous OK)
Foreign Residents General Information Center (Immigration Services Agency)
You can consult in multiple languages about permission for activities outside status, the scope of work you're allowed to do, and the 28-hour rule.
🌐 English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages ⏰ Weekdays 8:30–17:15
📝 Contact via web →📞 0570-013904
