Study and Work Part-Time in Japan as an International Student

2026/03/29

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 as international students while maintaining their academic performance and financial stability.

Can international students work in Japan while studying?

Study and work in Japan for international students is legally permitted under the student visa framework.

You must separately obtain a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted”. Once you hold this permit, you are legally authorized to take on part-time work during your studies, within the hour limits set by immigration authorities. 

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, choosing to study and work in Japan isn’t just a lifestyle choice, it’s a financial necessity. Since most students 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 per hour
• 70% of foreign students earn between ¥1,000-1,400 per hour

These figures align closely with the minimum wage in Japan per hour. Tokyo’s stands at ¥1,163 as of 2024, and from October 2025, every single prefecture will cross the ¥1,000 threshold for the first time. 

These numbers provide a realistic baseline for your financial planning, though popular student jobs and your Japanese language level can meaningfully influence your earning potential.

Average part-time job salary for students in Japan per month 

On average, international students in Japan earn around ¥81,000 per month from part-time work.

Here are some examples of popular part-time jobs:

• Convenience store staff (Seven-Eleven): typically ¥988-¥1,050 per hour, depending on the prefecture
• Barista (Starbucks): around ¥988- ¥1,050 per hour, with increases based on experience and skill level

Students who work the maximum authorized 28 hours per week at Tokyo’s minimum wage can earn approximately ¥125,000 to ¥134,000 per month.

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
• JASSO scholarship to offset your living costs
• Student loans
• Family support
• Part-time work income

Planning your total cost of studying abroad in Japan well in advance is essential,  including tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and daily living costs.

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 in Japan for 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.

Discover which JLPT level you need to study and work in Japan as an international student.

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

Some students explore freelance work (graphic design, translation, private tutoring) alongside their studies. However, freelancing is not explicitly authorized under a student visa, and immigration specialists are divided on its legality. In 2025, with the My Number system cross-referencing income records, undeclared freelance activity carries real risks for your visa renewal. If you’re considering this path, consult a Japanese immigration lawyer first.

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 the minimum wage in Japan per hour
• 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.

In 2025, enforcement of these limits has noticeably tightened. Immigration authorities are increasing monitoring of student attendance rates and work hour compliance. Schools themselves are under growing scrutiny,  meaning that both you and your institution are watched more closely than in previous years.

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 explicit prior approval from immigration authorities. With enforcement tightening in 2025, every exception must be properly documented and approved before you begin.

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.”

This includes hostess/host clubs, cabarets, snack bars, gambling establishments (pachinko, arcades), massage parlors, saunas, love hotels, adult shops, and internet-based adult services, even in indirect roles such as cleaning staff, server, or other support positions.

Since April 2024, a new government law has placed all registered Japanese language schools under a formal accreditation process requiring schools to meet strict standards on curriculum, student monitoring, and overseas recruiting with a compliance deadline of March 2029. As part of this broader tightening, schools are now legally required to report students who violate attendance or work regulations, including those found working in prohibited sectors. Schools that once looked the other way are increasingly unable to do so.

Beyond the prohibited job categories, you must also maintain your school’s minimum attendance rate and academic performance standards. Failure to meet these requirements can result in visa extension denial and schools are now required to flag non-compliant students to immigration authorities.

Understanding Tax Obligations

For those who study and work in Japan, tax compliance is non-negotiable and it has become significantly harder to overlook since 2025.

• 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.

The Residence Card is now being progressively merged with Japan’s My Number ID system. This integration allows immigration authorities, tax offices, and local governments to cross-reference your residency status, declared income, tax payments, and social insurance contributions. Students with undeclared income or unpaid tax obligations face a significantly higher detection risk than in previous years—and unresolved tax issues can directly impact your Japan student visa extension processing time, potentially delaying or even preventing renewal.

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.

Improve your chances of getting approved to study in Japan

In 2026, Japan is raising the bar for international students : 

• Tighter COE requirements
• Stricter school accreditation rules
• Increased immigration scrutiny 

Documented Japanese proficiency, through a recognized program like our 150-Hour Kick-Off Program, strengthens your dossier, improves your visa odds, and signals genuine academic intent to immigration reviewers.

Once you arrive, your Japanese level directly determines which jobs you can access and what student salary in Japan you can realistically earn. 

The students who prepare to study and work in Japan, adapt faster, maintain the attendance rates their visa depends on, and build a real foundation for their life in Japan.

👉 Discover our 150-hour Japanese course with a certificate