Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Your Status (28 Hours Per Week) — How to Obtain and Calculate the Hours

To work part-time with a student or family stay visa, you need a permission to engage in activities outside your visa status. Working without permission may result in your next visa renewal being denied.

1. Where to get it

1. You can get it at the airport upon entry — If you receive your student residence card at the airport, you can apply there. This is the easiest method.
2. If you miss getting it, you can apply at the Immigration Bureau in the area where you live. For example, in Fukuoka, it would be the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.
3. You may also be able to apply through your school. First, please ask the school's administrative office. 2. How many hours can I work?
   1. Up to 28 hours per week.
   2. A "week" cannot exceed 28 hours, regardless of which day of the week you start counting from. This means that whether you calculate from Monday to Sunday or from Wednesday to Tuesday, you cannot exceed the limit. You cannot "work less this week, so work more next week."
   3. For multiple jobs, the total is the limit. If you work at two places, the total of both jobs must not exceed 28 hours.
   4. During school long breaks (such as summer vacation), there are periods when you can work up to 8 hours a day. This depends on whether it is a school-designated holiday period.
   3. Jobs You Cannot Do

   You cannot work in places that fall under the category of adult entertainment businesses, such as pachinko parlors, game centers, snack bars, and bars. Even dishwashing or cleaning is not allowed inside such establishments. "I didn't know" is not an acceptable excuse.

   4. Keep Count Your Hours

   1. Keep all your pay stubs. Your hours may be checked when it's time to renew your contract.
   2. When you schedule your shifts, make a note of your weekly totals. The store may not keep track of this for you.
   3. If you notice you've exceeded the limit, reduce it immediately. The longer you continue, the more records you'll keep.

   5. How to check

   You can find out if you have permission by looking at the back of your residence card or the sticker attached to your passport. If it says "Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Your Status of Residence," then you're fine. You may need to show this during a job interview, so remember where it's written.

   Please check the official guide from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for application documents, fees, and reception hours.