Part-Time Jobs in Japan for Student Visa Holders
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Student residence status (留学) automatically lets you study full-time in Japan; it does not let you work. To take any paid job you must first obtain “Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” (資格外活動許可). Once the sticker is in your passport, you may work up to 28 hours per week during term and up to 8 hours per day during official university vacations.
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Who can apply and basic requirements
Requirement | You must… |
|---|---|
Residence status | Hold a valid “Student” (留学) visa or be on the 4-month grace period after arrival |
Enrollment | Be enrolled full-time at a Japanese university, junior college, vocational college (専門学校), or Japanese-language institute |
Attendance | Maintain ≥80 % class attendance during the previous semester (schools report this to Immigration) |
Academic progress | Not on academic probation or subject to withdrawal |
Graduate research students and Japanese-language students qualify the same way as undergraduates. If you change schools, update Immigration within 14 days; the work permission remains valid on the same card.
Document checklist for the 28-hour work permission
At the airport immigration counter (fastest)
- Passport
- Residence card (在留カード) handed to you by the officer
- Completed “Application for Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence” form (available on the plane or at the counter)
- ¥4,000 revenue stamp (purchased at the airport kiosk)
At a regional immigration office (if you forgot at the airport)
- All items above
- Certificate of enrollment issued within the last 3 months (在籍証明書)
- Class timetable showing you are a full-time student
- Return envelope with ¥404 postage if you choose postal reply
Osaka and Nagoya offices complete the stamping in about 5 working days if you arrive in person. Postal applications take 2–3 weeks.
Step-by-step application process
- Before arrival: nothing. Do not try to apply while still overseas.
- At the airport: after the officer staples your residence card into the passport, look the next counter labeled 資格外活動許可. Hand over the form and ¥4,000 stamp; the officer adds the shiny 28-hour sticker immediately.
- If you forgot: book an appointment at the nearest immigration office. Morning slots open 1 month ahead; walk-ins are rarely accepted in Tokyo or Osaka.
- Receive residence card back with the new line printed: 資格外活動許可 週28時間以内.
- Keep copies: scan the card and store the PDF in cloud storage; employers will ask for it.
The permission is tied to your residence period. When you renew or extend your student visa, the permission is renewed automatically at no extra cost as long as you tick the box on form “Application for Extension of Period of Stay”.
Hour limits, wages, and new 2026 rules
Item | Term-time | Vacation-time |
|---|---|---|
Weekly cap | 28 hours | 8 hours per calendar day, no weekly ceiling |
Daily cap | none | 8 hours |
Night differential | +25 % for 22:00–05:00 | same |
Tokyo convenience stores (23 wards) | minimum ¥1,300 from 1 June 2026 | same |
National weighted average minimum wage | ¥1,050 | same |
Lowest prefectural wage (Kagoshima) | ¥953 | same |
Pension and insurance thresholds
- Employers must enroll you in Employees’ Pension Insurance (厚生年金) and Employment Insurance (雇用保険) if you work ≥20 hours per week.
- Combined monthly premium: about ¥14,500 on a ¥100,000 monthly wage (split 50/50 with the employer).
- If you stay under 20 hours, only the employer’s workers’ accident insurance applies.
Tax-free ceiling
Annual employment income up to ¥1,030,000 remains exempt from income tax and residence tax. Exceeding the threshold triggers withholding and year-end adjustment.
Popular job sectors and realistic pay ranges
Sector | Typical hourly wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Convenience store | ¥1,100–¥1,350 (Tokyo) | Shift flexibility, free meals sometimes |
Restaurant / café | ¥1,050–¥1,200 | Tips are rare; late shifts pay extra |
Hotel front desk (tourist areas) | ¥1,200–¥1,400 | Requires basic Japanese; Kyoto subsidy applies July–Sept 2026 |
Eikaiwa café chat partner | ¥1,500–¥2,000 | Native English advantage; usually <20 hrs so no pension |
Warehouse / logistics | ¥1,100–¥1,300 | Night shifts common; forklift license extra pay |
University library / cafeteria | ¥1,050–¥1,200 | On-campus jobs count toward 28-hour limit |
IT internship (Fukuoka pilot) | ¥1,500 | 200 slots available; 160-hour cap |
Tip: Use the free Yokohama Student Job Bank or university bulletin boards first; listings are pre-screened for legal compliance.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
1. Working without the stamp
Even one hour of paid work before the sticker is in your passport is illegal. Immigration can revoke your visa and ban re-entry for 1–5 years.
2. Exceeding the 28-hour cap
Immigration cross-checks MyNumber payroll data. First offense: warning letter. Second: visa renewal denied.
3. Working in prohibited industries
- Adult entertainment (including hostess bars, pachinko, massage parlors) is banned regardless of hours.
- Shibuya Ward extends the ban to 23:00–05:00 for all bars and clubs; penalty for employer is up to ¥500,000.
4. Forgetting the employer notification
Within 10 days of hiring you, the company must file a “Student Part-Time Worker Notification” (学生アルバイト届) with Hello Work. Failure triggers a ¥300,000 fine on the employer and may lead them to terminate you.
5. Ignoring tax filing
If you earn above ¥1,030,000 in a calendar year, file a tax return between 16 February and 15 March. Your school can help; many ward offices run free clinics in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hold two jobs?
Yes. Add the hours from both employers; the combined total must not exceed 28 per week. Tell Immigration if you start a second job by submitting a “Notification of Contracting Organization” form; no fee.
Does on-campus research assistant work count toward the 28 hours?
Yes. Any paid activity counts unless it is officially registered as an internship under the METI pilot program.
What if my employer refuses to enroll me in pension/insurance?
Show them the MHLW pamphlet. If they persist, contact the Labour Standards Office (労働基準監督署) in your prefecture; anonymous reports are accepted.
Can I drive for Uber Eats?
Yes, but delivery counts as work time and the 28-hour rule applies. You also need a Japanese driver’s license or International Driving Permit valid in Japan.
Is the ¥4,000 stamp fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. Make sure all documents are complete before submitting.
How early can I renew the work permission?
Up to 3 months before your residence card expires, at the same time as the visa extension. There is no renewal fee when done together.
Does the 28-hour limit include volunteer work?
No. Unpaid volunteering for registered non-profits is unrestricted. Any reimbursement for transport or meals is not considered wages.
If you plan to stay in Japan after graduation, start building your employment record now. Good performance in part-time roles is often cited in Job Seeker Designated Activities visa applications.
Learning enough Japanese to handle workplace conversations will make every one of these steps easier. Migaku turns native TV and YouTube into interactive study material so you can pick up the exact phrases you’ll need on the job.