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When a foreign national intends to engage in an activity to operate profit-making businesses or an activity for receiving consideration other than the activity permitted under his/her status of residence, he/she must obtain permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted, in advance. In addition, hours and types of business that a foreign national are allow to work are limited. In case of engaging in an activity to operate profit-making businesses or an activity for receiving consideration without obtaining work permit, or those who work at midnight or in inappropreate businesses are considered as working illegally and maybe subject to penalties.
1. Application Procedure for the Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted
Residence management system has been renewed on July 9, 2012 and the new application procedure is as follows.
| Eligibility | Application Procedure |
| Foreign nationals for whom the status of residence of "Student" has been decided and who has obtained a landing permit (Not at the Re-entry) |
It is possible to obtain permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted at the port of entry or departure where the person has obrained a landing permit. Download Application: |
| Foreign nationals who have already obtained Residence Card or Alien Registration Card, and have not obtained Work Permit yet |
Apply at the Immigration Office under the jurisdiction over the address of residence. ※It is able to apply for the Work Permit at the same time of renewing the residency. Required Documents： 1. Application Form (Download from the Link Below) 2. Passport 3. Residence Card or Alien Registration Card 4. Student ID of University |
2. Inappropreate Businesses Considered Illegal
Even obtaining work permit, foreign nationals are not allowed to engage in an activity to operate profit-making businesses or an activity for receiving consideration according to Japan Adult Enterntainment Law （Law Controlling Business Affecting Public Morals). Adult enterntainment bussinesses are as follows:
- Cabarets, cafe, nightclubs, dancing halls，bars that offer special services for customers to entertain, eat and drink, mah-jong game parlors, pachinko parlors, game centers, bathhouse businesses with private rooms, and massage service businesses with private businesses and others.
- Snack bars, pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, where host and/or hostesses offer special services to customers, and/or in poor lights, and/or places small and difficult to be seen clearly from outside.
3. Limited Hours for Part-time Jobs
Hours permitted to work for foreign nationals whom the status of residence of "Student" is limited as follows:
- Regular Students (Undergraduate & Graduate Students): 8 hours per day and 28 hours per week
- Non-regular Students (Research Students, Special Auditing Students, and Special Research Students)：8 hours per day and 28 hours per week
- During Long Vacation (Summer Vacation, Winter Vacation, and Spring Vacation): 8 hours per day
4. Penalties for Illegal Works
In case of engaging in an activity to operate profit-making businesses or an activity for receiving consideration without obtaining work permit, or those who work at midnight or in inappropreate businesses are considered as working illegally shall be punished with imprisonment with or without work for not more than 3 years or a fine not exceeding 2 million yen.