Foreign nationals who are permitted to work in Japan and those who are not.

“The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law” prescribes fundamental regulations concerning entry of foreign nationals for the purpose of working in Japan. (List of residential status)

Foreign nationals with the following residential status are permitted to work in Japan.

Residential statuses permited to work in any type of industry or job:
“Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” and “Long term Resident”.

Foreigners having one of the above residential status are completely free to engage in any type of activities in Japan. They are free to do any type of job and also to change it if they wish.

Residential status with which people are permitted to work within the limit of certain types of job, industries or job contents:
“Professor”, “Artist”, “Religious Activities”, “Journalist”, “Investor/Business Manager”, “Legal/Accounting Services” “Medical Services”, “Researcher”, “Instructor”, “Engineer”, “Specialist in humanities and International services”, “Intra-company transferee”, “Entertainer”, “Skilled Labor” and “Designated Activities”(under this status, it is permitted to work only in the activities designated by the Ministry of Justice, such as those on the working holiday scheme or in technical intern training program).

Foreigners having one of the above residential status can receive job counseling and placement service.
However, please note that even with this residential status, if he/she wishes to execute an income-generating business or receive remuneration in a different kind of residential status, then this person must obtain a permit for extra-status activities or change his/her residential status.

Foreign nationals with the following residential status can not work in Japan unless they obtain a permit for extra-status activities:
“College Student”, “Pre-college Student” and “Dependent”.

Foreigners with the above residential status are not allowed to engage in income-generating business nor receive remuneration.

In case the foreigners with the status of “College Student”, “Pre-college Student” and “Dependent” wish to work must obtain a permit for extra-status activities from the Immigration Bureau before they start working. However, the permission is given only when it is clear that such activity does not affect his/her primal activity.

Part-time job by college students and pre-college students is permitted to be within the scope that will not be a hinder to their study which is their primal activity.

For example, college students are permitted to work up to 28 hours a week (occasional students and research students, up to 14 hours a week). Besides, part-time job by pre-college students has to be within four hours a day.

Please refrain from working in the following cases as they constitute illegal work.

1. In case a foreign national with a residential status permitted to work has engaged in an income-generating business or received remuneration through an activity outside the scope of his/her residential status, without obtaining a permit for extra-status activities

2. In case a foreign national with a residential status which does not allow to work has engaged to an income-generating business or received remuneration without obtaining permission for extra-status activities.

3. In case he/she has stayed and worked beyond the designated period of stay. Such working constitutes illegal working in terms of the Immigration Control Law, and is subject to deportation or criminal punishment.

(For further information on residential statuses, please contact the nearest Local Immigration Control Bureau.)

Source: Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners