Foreigners who can and cannot work in Japan

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This article will briefly explain the basic information that all foreigners who are trying to work in Japan or are working in Japan should know.

What kind of foreigners can and cannot work in Japan?

When a foreigner enters and stays in Japan to work or find employment, basic matters concerning this are stipulated in the "Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act".

Foreign nationals with the following status of residence may work in Japan.

1. Resident status to work in any type of occupation or industry

"Permanent Resident", "Spouse or Child of Japanese National", "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident", and "Long-term Resident" status holders have no restrictions on their activities in Japan, so they can work in any occupation and are free to change jobs.

2. A status of residence that allows employment within a certain range of occupations, types of business, and work content.

"Professor", "Arts", "Religion", "Journalism", "Highly Specialized Profession 1", "Highly Specialized Profession 2", "Business Administration", "Legal and Accounting Services", "Medical Care", "Research", "Education", "Technical, Humanities and International Services", "Intra-company Transfer", "Entertainment", "Skills", "Designated Activities", "Designated Skills"

(Only activities designated by the Minister of Justice, such as working holidays and technical internship, are permitted to work.)

Those with these statuses of residence can receive job counseling and job placement services. Even with these statuses, permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence or permission to change status of residence is required when engaging in activities to operate a business that involves income or activities to receive remuneration that belong to other statuses of residence.

Foreign nationals with the following status of residence may not work in Japan without permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence.

"Cultural Activities", "Study Abroad", "Family Residency"

However, if a person with "College Student" or "Family Visa" status wishes to engage in income-generating activities in Japan, he/she may apply for a comprehensive "Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" without specifying the place of employment. For example, a foreign student may apply for permission to engage in part-time work.

For example, a foreign student may work part-time within 28 hours per week, as long as the part-time work does not interfere with the student's original activity, i.e., study.

Please do not work in the following cases, as they constitute illegal employment.

1. Even if you have a status of residence that allows you to work, if you engage in activities to operate a business or receive remuneration that involves income outside the scope permitted by your status of residence without obtaining permission to engage in activities outside your status of residence.

2. If you engage in activities to operate a business with income or receive remuneration, even though you have a status of residence that does not allow you to work and you have not obtained permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence.

3. If you stay and work beyond the specified period of stay.

Such employment constitutes illegal employment under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and is subject to deportation or criminal penalties.

For more information, please contact Immigration Service Agency.