Written by Keisuke Unno — a graduate of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Persian Language).
Married to a non-Japanese partner, and host of the YouTube channel “Tabunka Gurashi 多文化ぐらし,” where he has interviewed dozens of international residents across Japan about their real lives here.
If you’re on a Student visa (留学) and want to work part-time in Japan, there’s a specific legal framework you need to follow — and getting it wrong is treated as a serious immigration compliance issue, not a minor technicality. Short answer: you must first obtain a Permit to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (資格外活動許可), and once you have it, you’re generally limited to 28 hours per week during the academic term, with different rules during long school breaks.
Step One: Get the Permit Before You Work
A Student visa does not automatically authorize part-time work. You are required by law to obtain the 資格外活動許可 (permit to engage in activity outside your granted status) before starting any paid work — working without it, even briefly, is treated as unauthorized employment, which falls squarely under immigration compliance issues and can affect future visa renewals or status changes.
| How to Apply | Notes |
|---|---|
| At the airport upon arrival | Many students apply for this permit at the same time as their initial immigration procedures when landing in Japan, if their intent to work part-time is already clear |
| At a regional immigration office | Can be applied for after arrival, at your local immigration bureau |
The 28-Hour Weekly Limit
| Period | Weekly Limit |
|---|---|
| During academic term | Generally 28 hours per week |
| Long school breaks (e.g., summer/winter vacation), as designated by your school | Generally up to 8 hours per day, without the 28-hour weekly cap, though this varies based on your specific school’s academic calendar |
⚠️ What Catches Foreign Residents Off Guard: The 28-hour limit applies across all your part-time jobs combined, not per job. If you work 20 hours at one job and 15 at another, you’ve exceeded the limit even though neither job alone crosses 28 hours. Keeping track of your total hours across all jobs is your responsibility.
What Kinds of Work Are Restricted Regardless of Hours
Certain types of work are generally off-limits for permit holders regardless of how many hours are involved — this commonly includes work in the adult entertainment industry (風俗営業) and similar categories, which are excluded from the permit’s scope entirely rather than being subject to an hours limit.
Why This Matters Beyond Just Following the Rules
Exceeding the 28-hour limit or working without the permit is generally recorded as a compliance issue that immigration authorities can factor into future decisions — including your next visa renewal, and potentially a future change of status if you plan to switch to a work visa after graduation (see our dedicated guide on that process). This isn’t a minor administrative detail; it’s treated as a meaningful part of your overall compliance record.
A Real Part-Time Work Experience
A friend of mine from Iran applied for his permit the very first time he received his residence card, right at the airport when he arrived in Japan — meaning he was cleared to start part-time work essentially from day one. He’s kept the 28-hours-during-term, 40-hours-during-break structure in mind ever since without much difficulty, since his school’s break periods are clearly published each year.
FAQ
Q: Can I work more than 28 hours during summer vacation?
A: Generally yes, up to 8 hours per day during officially designated long school breaks, though the exact dates depend on your specific school’s academic calendar — confirm your school’s official break dates rather than assuming.
Q: What happens if I accidentally work more than 28 hours in one week?
A: This is generally treated as a compliance issue regardless of intent. If it happens, being proactive (rather than hoping it goes unnoticed) and correcting your schedule going forward is generally better than continuing the pattern.
Q: Do I need a new permit for each part-time job I take?
A: No — the permit itself authorizes part-time work generally, within the hours limit; you don’t need a separate permit per employer, though you’re still responsible for keeping total hours across all jobs within the limit.
Your Student Work Hours Checklist
- Obtained the 資格外活動許可 permit before starting any paid work
- Confirmed your school’s official long-break dates for the higher hourly allowance period
- Tracked total hours across all jobs combined, not per job individually
- Avoided restricted work categories regardless of hours worked
- Kept this compliance record in mind if planning a future visa category change
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