Part-time/side jobs: you need to obtain “Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted”

According to the Immigration Services Agency “If a foreign national intends to engage in an activity to operate profit-making businesses or an activity for receiving consideration other than the activity permitted under his/her status of residence, he/she must obtain permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted, in advance.”

To apply this permission, a foreign national needs to submit a document material that proves the intended activity as indicated on the application.

However, some foreigners (e.g. those who stays in Japan with the status of residence of “Student” or “Dependent”) can be granted “Comprehensive permission”. In this case, the foreign national is allowed to work up to 28 hours a week but not allowed to work at any adult-entertainment business. Hence no need to submit a document material that proves the intended activity as indicated on the application.

In case of a foreign national with the status of residence of “Student” engages in an activity to assist education or research at the university or college of technology he/she is enrolled in, it is unnecessary to obtain permission.

In case of a foreign national with status of residence of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and working as Interpreter during weekday wishes to start a side job on weekend, he/she doesn’t need to obtain a permission if he/she works as Interpreter, but he/she needs to obtain a permission for teaching a language.

Application for Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted

When to submit

When the foreign national intends to run business or engage in an activity that will yields remuneration that does not permitted with the applicant’s current status of residence

How to submit

Applicant must fill in necessary application forms, make ready attached documents and submit a service counter at regional immigration office.

Who may submit

1. Applicant

2. The following persons may complete the application procedure (submit the passport, residence card and application form, etc.) in lieu of the applicant.

(1) The legal representative of the applicant

(2) A member of staff of the accepting institution, etc. or of a public interest corporation whom the director of the regional immigration bureau deems to be appropriate (in cases pursuant to a request from the applicant or the legal representative of the applicant).

(3) An attorney or administrative scrivener who has given notification, via the bar association or administrative scriveners’ association to which he or she belongs, to the director of the regional immigration bureau which has jurisdiction over the area where such bar association or administrative scriveners’ association is located (in cases pursuant to a request from the applicant or the legal representative of the applicant).

Fee

Free of charge

Necessary documents

1. Application form 1copy

2. A document material that proves the intended activity as indicated on the application form 1copy

3. Passport and residence card
(or alien registration certificate deemed equivalent to a residence card)

4. A document that proves the status
(if an agent submits the application form on behalf of the applicant)

Format

Application for Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted　[PDF]　[EXCEL]

(Note 1) The immigration bureau accepts this format if you print it out on Japanese Industrial Standards A4 format.

(Note 2) You sometimes print it out on a smaller format than A4. To avoid it, please turn off “Shrink Oversized Pages to Paper Size (K)” in the print dialogue box.

Where to submit

The regional immigration office in charge of applicant’s address (Refer to your regional immigration office or immigration information center.)

Screening criteria

The intended activity does not interfere with the activity permitted with the current status of residence and is regarded as appropriate.

Standard procedures duration

Two weeks to two months

(source: Immigration Services Agency)

For inquiry to Visa and Beyond by Takatsuka Office, please send a message through a contact page.