Study and Work Part-Time in Japan with a Student Visa

2025/06/05

Are you planning to study in Japan and wondering if you can work part-time to support yourself? You’re not alone in considering this path! Many people ask whether they can effectively study and work in Japan while maintaining their academic performance and financial stability.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about balancing studies and work in Japan, helping you make informed decisions about your academic and financial journey. 

How many international students work in Japan?

If you’re considering working while studying in Japan, you’re definitely in good company! According to recent JASSO survey data, Japan hosted approximately 280,000 international students in 2023, with an impressive 65.2% of them holding part-time jobs.

This statistic reveals an important reality: for two-thirds of international students, working while studying isn’t just about earning pocket money, it’s an economic necessity to maintain their livelihood. Since most international students in Japan are self-funded without scholarships or significant financial support, the decision to study and work in Japan requires careful planning before making the move.

How much can students realistically earn per hour in Japan?

Earnings vary significantly across Japan’s different regions, but here’s what you can expect:

• 50%+ of international students earn between 1,000-1,200 yen per hour
• 70% of foreign students earn between 1,000-1,400 yen per hour

This aligns closely with Japan’s minimum wage (for example, Tokyo’s minimum wage is 1,163 yen per hour as of 2024). 

These figures provide a realistic baseline for your financial planning, though remember that popular student jobs and your Japanese language skills can influence your earning potential.

Can you work and study in Japan while covering all expenses?

If you’re wondering “can I work and study in Japan while being financially independent,” the answer is complex.

Students’ average monthly expenses amount to 170,000 yen. Relying solely on part-time income may not cover all your monthly costs. This is why international students typically combine multiple financial resources:

• Personal savings from home
• Academic scholarships and grants
• Student loans
• Family support
• Part-time work income

The key is creating a comprehensive financial plan rather than depending entirely on part-time earnings.

How to Get a Job in Japan with a Student Visa

1. Obtain a Japanese Student Visa Work Permit

A standard Student Visa alone doesn’t authorize you to work in Japan. You must apply for a work permit officially called “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.”

This Japanese student visa work permit application can be completed through two methods. The first and recommended approach is completing the part-time work permit application form when you first enter Japan at the airport.  This method is generally much easier and faster, allowing you to start working sooner after arrival. Alternatively, you can apply after settling in Japan at your nearest local immigration bureau, though this requires bringing your passport, completed application form, and residence card, with processing taking approximately one month.

Before applying, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Some scholarships explicitly prohibit part-time work, so always verify your scholarship terms and conditions first. University and technical college students have a special exception where they can engage in paid educational or research activities related to their institution without obtaining a separate work permit. While some schools offer assistance with the application process, you can also handle the application independently if you prefer.

2. Finding the Right Part-Time Job in Japan 

How to find a Part-time Job 

The most common part-time jobs among international students are listed below, indicating that these positions are generally open to foreigners:

Job Category	% of International Students
Food Service	39,2%
Sales/Retail (Convenience Stores, etc.)	28,4%
Factory Assembly Work	6,0%
Teaching/Research Assistant	5,6%
Hotel Reception/Service Staff	4,2%
Cleaning	3,4%
Language Teacher	3,4%
General Administration	3,1%
Delivery	2,7%

Popular job search websites include:

• Wantedly
• Baitoru
• Craigslist
• My Navi
• Gaijinpot
• Hello Work
• Wellfound

When choosing your path, consider your current Japanese level and career goals. Convenience stores represent the most accessible entry point for beginners, requiring minimal Japanese language skills and offering predictable schedules, though they provide limited customer interaction opportunities. If improving your Japanese is a priority, restaurants, cafés, and other service businesses offer excellent language practice through daily customer interactions, helping you develop Japanese communication skills while earning money.

Students seeking higher compensation often gravitate toward physical jobs like factory work and delivery services, which typically offer better hourly rates but can be quite demanding physically. Those who study and work in Japan often find that balancing physical demands with academic requirements requires careful time management.

For those interested in building professional experience, administrative positions in startup environments frequently provide international atmospheres, though they may require more advanced Japanese or specialized skills.

Finding Freelance opportunities when you study, work and live in Japan

Traditional employment isn’t your only option. Many international students successfully pursue freelance work, with graphic design leading at 5.3% of students, followed by translation work at 2.9%, private tutoring at 1.4%, and interpretation services at 0.6%. Freelancing offers greater flexibility and potentially higher earnings, but requires registering as self-employed in Japan and filing annual tax returns. You’ll also need to consider tax obligations in your home country.

3. Pre-Employment Checklist

Before accepting any position, watch for warning signs that could indicate poor working conditions or potential scams:

• Vague job descriptions promising high pay with no experience required
• Commission-based positions offering below minimum wage
• Unclear payment details regarding method, schedule, or amount
• Jobs that differ significantly from the original posting once you start
• Positions found on questionable or informal platforms
• Employers who don’t respect hour limitations for student visa holders or expect unpaid overtime
• Any work that negatively impacts your studies in any way

Your education should always remain your top priority. If a job starts interfering with your academic performance or schedule, it’s time to reconsider the position. Always clarify any discrepancies between the job posting and actual working conditions before continuing with the role.

Study and work regulations for students in Japan

Maximum Hours a Student Visa Holder Can Work in Japan

Japanese student visa part-time work regulations allow international students to work a maximum of 28 hours per week during regular academic periods. During extended academic breaks such as summer and spring holidays, this limit increases to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. It’s important to understand that overtime hours must be included in your 28-hour calculation, and if you have multiple part-time jobs, the combined working hours from all positions cannot exceed the weekly limit.

Source : https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/shikakugai_00001.html

Exceptions to the 28-Hour Limit

In certain exceptional cases, it is possible to exceed the 28-hour weekly work limit:

• Academic internships: Final-year students (university, master’s, or doctoral) completing internships required for graduation credits, or graduates with job-seeking status participating in professional experience programs
• Teaching and research activities: University teaching/research assistance under contract with their institution or work as language teachers, interpreters, and private tutors
• Entrepreneurial preparation: Students preparing to start a business in Japan

All exceptions require individual permission from immigration authorities and activities must not interfere with academic studies.

Source : https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00003.html 

Japan Student Visa Restrictions : Prohibited Jobs

You’re allowed to work in a wide range of jobs, but according to Japanese regulations, the following job categories are strictly prohibited:

“Activities conducted in establishments where adult entertainment business, sexual entertainment business, or telephone dating business operate.”

If you want to work and study with a Student Visa, avoid jobs such as hostess/host clubs, cabarets, snack bars, gambling establishments (pachinko, arcades), massage parlors, saunas, love hotels, adult shops, internet-based adult services/chatting. Keep in mind that working in these establishments is prohibited even in indirect roles such as server, cleaning staff, or other positions that don’t directly provide these services.

Beyond work hour limitations, you must maintain minimum school attendance rates and academic performance standards required by your institution. Your studies must remain your primary focus, and you cannot prioritize part-time work over your educational responsibilities. Failure to meet your school’s minimum requirements can result in visa extension denial and inability to continue your stay

Understanding Tax Obligations

For those who study, live and work in Japan, you must pay and declare certain taxes:.

• Income Tax: Applied if your annual income exceeds 1,030,000 yen. If your monthly salary is above 88,000 yen, your employer must withhold tax at source. In December, taxes are recalculated and you may receive a refund for any overpayment.
• Residence Tax: If you have an address in Japan on January 1st and annual income exceeding 1,000,000 yen, you must pay residence tax. This can be deducted directly from your salary by your employer – please verify this arrangement.
• Social and Health Insurance: These contributions are generally deducted directly from your salary.

Keep all your pay slips and check whether your home country has a specific tax exemption agreement with Japan. It’s important to settle all your taxes properly, as failure to do so can impact your visa status or your ability to remain in Japan after your studies.

Risks of not respecting the rules of working under a student visa

What if I work more than 28 hours as a student in Japan?

Exceeding the 28-hour weekly limit subjects students to significant penalties, including up to one year of imprisonment and fines reaching 2 million yen. More seriously, visa renewal applications may be denied, leading to deportation for illegal employment with a five-year ban on returning to Japan. These consequences extend beyond the student, as employers also face penalties including up to three years imprisonment and fines up to 3 million yen, along with corporate liability issues.

What if I work in a job prohibited by regulations for students in Japan?

The adult entertainment and gambling industries operate under heavy government monitoring, making violations relatively easy to detect through income tax declarations, employer reports, and social security contributions. Since these sensitive industries are particularly scrutinized, Japanese authorities can quickly identify violations, resulting in penalties identical to illegal employment violations including fines, deportation, and prohibition from re-entering Japanese territory.

What if my student visa expires?

Your work authorization ends automatically when your student visa expires, creating an immediate need to address your status. However, if you have a pending renewal or visa change application, remain enrolled in an educational institution, and hold a valid work permit, you may continue working for up to two months after expiration.

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