Labor
Having the proper status of residence
In order to work in Japan, foreigners are required to have a residential status that allows them to work and to have a job description that matches what the said status allows. There are three main categories:
Residential status that does not limit job description nor kinds of industry
Those who hold "permanent resident", "spouse or child of Japanese national", "spouse or child of permanent resident", "fixed domicile resident" statuses can choose any kinds of jobs and are free to change jobs. There is no limitation.
Residential status that allows designated job descriptions, kinds of industry and employment description
Statuses such as "professor", "artist", "religious activities", "journalist", investor / business manager", "legal / accounting services", "medical services", "researcher", "instructor", "engineer", "specialist in humanities / international services", "intracompany transferee", "entertainment", "skilled labor" and " "designated activities" that allows activities approved by the Ministry of Justice including working holiday agreement and training program for foreign workers fall into this category. Please note that those with the above statuses must obtain the permission of immigration authorities before engaging in a different type of income-generating activity.
Those who fall under one of the categories below are not allowed to work in Japan unless a permission to "engage in activity outside scope" is granted.
Those with statuses such as "study abroad", "schooling", "dependent" and the like are not permitted to work in Japan. To acquire this right, one must get permission to "engage in activity outside scope" from immigration authorities before actually starting to work.
Part-time jobs
To engage in part-time work, holders of such statuses such as "study abroad", "schooling" or "dependent" must abide to certain rules, specific to each type of status. The following are for informative purposes only; please contact the nearest immigration authorities for more information.
- "Study abroad" status: Any activity other than the status of residence must be approved of by immigration authorities. Such residents can work up to 28 hours per week as a rule. Work in the adult-entertainment is prohibited.
- "Schooling" status: Any activity other than the status of residence must be approved of by immigration authorities. Such residents can work up to 4 hours per day as a rule. Work in the adult-entertainment is prohibited.
- "Dependent" status: Any activity other than the status of residence must be approved of by immigration authorities. Such residents can work up to 28 hours per week as a rule.
For more information, please contact:
Hiroshima Regional Immigration Bureau - Hiroshima Godo Chosha 2 gokan, 6-30 Kami Hatchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi - TEL: 082-221-4412
広島県広島市中区上八丁堀６－３０ 広島合同庁舎2号館 - TEL: 082－221－4412, or
Fukuyama Branch Office - Fukuyama Kouwan Godo Chosha, 2-18-3, Higashi Teshiro-cho, Fukuyama-shi - TEL: 084-941-1969
福山市東手城町２－１８－３ 福山港湾合同庁舎 - TEL: 084－941－1969
