Students (留学) and dependents (家族滞在) cannot do any paid work until they receive Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可). It is free.
The limits
- Up to 28 hours a week in total, across all jobs, counted from any day. Check yours with the 28-hour checker.
- Students: up to 8 hours a day during the school's official long holidays.
- Never at adult-entertainment businesses (hostess bars/clubs, pachinko, mahjong…), even for cleaning or dishwashing.
- No work while on leave of absence from school.
How to apply
- Fill the application form (VisaRenew fills it in Japanese). You can apply before you find a job — the workplace is written as 未定.
- Take it to your regional immigration office with your passport and residence card. Many offices also ask to see a student ID.
- The permission is written on the back of your residence card — often the same day, at most about 2 months.
New students arriving at major airports can usually apply on arrival. Online application is possible only together with a renewal or change of status.
Sources: ISA — permission for activities other than permitted, ISA — students.