Part-time work permission in Japan for students and dependents

Quick conclusion

Student and dependent visa holders cannot work part time without separate permission - even a small part-time job requires a Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可), and once granted, hours are typically capped at 28 hours per week during school terms, often with an exception allowing longer hours during long school vacations. Track your own hours across all jobs, since exceeding the limit is a visa violation regardless of who miscounted.

Getting permission before you start

• New students commonly receive this permission alongside landing permission at the airport if requested, or can apply afterward at a regional immigration office
• Dependent visa holders apply separately at an immigration office
• Do not start any part-time job before the permission is granted - working without it, even briefly, is a violation

Bring your residence card, passport, and any required application forms to the immigration office if applying after arrival - confirm current required documents with the office beforehand since forms can be updated.

The hour limit, and what commonly changes it

The standard limit for students is generally 28 hours per week during regular school terms, with an exception often allowing extended hours (in many cases up to full-time) during officially designated long school vacations. Two important points:

• The 28-hour cap is typically weekly, not monthly - working extra hours one week to compensate for fewer hours another week does not necessarily average out safely; confirm the specific counting method with your school or immigration authorities
• If you have multiple part-time jobs, the combined hours across all jobs count toward the limit, not each job separately

Because employers do not always track this accurately, especially if you work multiple jobs, keep your own running total.

Jobs that are banned regardless of hours

Certain categories - establishments related to adult entertainment, some gambling-adjacent businesses, and similar categories affecting public morals - are prohibited for permission holders no matter how few hours are involved. If a job's nature is unclear, ask your school's international student office or confirm directly with immigration authorities before accepting it.

What happens if the rules are broken

Working without permission, or exceeding permitted hours, is treated as a visa violation. Consequences can include problems at visa renewal or future applications, and in serious or repeated cases, more severe outcomes including risk to continued residence in Japan. This is not a minor administrative technicality - treat the hour limit as a hard boundary, not a target to approach.

Related situations

If you are considering starting a small side business rather than working for an employer, the rules and risks differ - see side business with a work visa for that separate situation (note this specifically concerns work-visa holders, not students - confirm your own category's rules directly). Preparing your resume and payslip understanding, covered in Japanese resume basics and reading your payslip, applies once you are working legally within your permitted hours.

This is general information, not immigration legal advice. Rules and hour limits can be updated - confirm current requirements with your school's international student office or the Immigration Services Agency before starting any part-time work.