Introduction
Foreign nationals working in Japan under the “Skilled Labor” status of residence often ask whether they are allowed to have side jobs or multiple part-time jobs. If you start a side job in the same way as a Japanese worker without checking the Immigration rules, you may unintentionally fall into “activities outside the scope of your status” or “unauthorized employment,” which could lead to non-renewal of your status of residence or even deportation.
This article explains, in plain language, the key rules, risks of refusal, and practical points that foreign nationals with “Skilled Labor” status should understand before starting a side job or multiple part-time jobs.
Basic Rules for “Skilled Labor” and Side Jobs
The “Skilled Labor” status of residence is designed for activities that require specialized and experienced skills, such as cooks, sports instructors, aircraft pilots, and processing of precious stones or fur. The permitted activities are clearly defined in the Immigration Control Act, and work must basically be within that scope.
Under the Act, if you wish to engage in “income-generating business activities or paid activities that do not fall under your current status of residence,” you must obtain “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” (shikakugai katsudo kyoka). In other words, if you wish to take on a side job or part-time work that does not fall within “Skilled Labor,” you will in principle need to obtain this permission in advance.
On the other hand, if all of your work clearly falls within the scope of “Skilled Labor,” it is not immediately prohibited by law to work for multiple employers. However, the Immigration authorities will look at all your activities as a whole and examine whether you are continuing your primary “Skilled Labor” activity and whether your side work is not interfering with your main job.
When Multiple Jobs or Side Work Are Allowed and When They Are Not
When considering a side job or multiple part-time jobs, it is useful to distinguish between the following two patterns:
- Multiple jobs within the scope of “Skilled Labor”
- Part-time work outside the scope of “Skilled Labor” (activities outside your status)
1. Multiple jobs within the scope of “Skilled Labor”
A typical example is a foreign national with “Skilled Labor (cook)” working full time as a chef at a Japanese restaurant and also working a few hours per week as a cook at another restaurant. If both jobs fall within the permitted “Skilled Labor” scope and do not interfere with the main job, the activities may be evaluated as being within the same status of residence.
However, Immigration may closely examine your employment contracts, working hours, and actual working conditions to determine where your primary activity lies and whether your overall working hours are excessive. If you have continuous work at places other than the employer listed on your residence card, you may be asked to explain the situation at the time of renewal, so casually adding more side jobs can be risky.
2. Part-time work outside the scope of “Skilled Labor”
Work that falls outside “Skilled Labor,” such as convenience store cashier, hall staff at an izakaya, cleaning, or warehouse work—often called “simple labor”—is treated as “activities outside the scope of your status” if you are paid for it. To do such work legally, you must obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted in advance.
The Immigration Services Agency clearly states that this permission is required when “a foreign national wishes to engage in income-generating or paid activities that do not fall under the current status of residence.” If you start such work without permission, your activities may be regarded as unauthorized employment from the moment you begin.
When Permission for Extra Activities Is Required and Key Points
Legal Position of the Permission
According to the Immigration Services Agency, permission to engage in activity other than that permitted is an exceptional system that allows additional activities only on the condition that you are actually engaged in the activities corresponding to your current status of residence.
Therefore, if you are on long-term leave or effectively not working in your main job, the permission will be difficult to obtain.
For work-related statuses of residence, the so-called “comprehensive permission” (such as 28 hours per week for Students or Dependent) generally does not apply. Most cases require “individual permission,” which is examined based on specific information such as employer, job description, and working hours.
Main Points in the Screening
Public information and expert commentaries indicate that Immigration pays particular attention to the following aspects when examining applications for this permission:
- Whether you are actually continuing the activities corresponding to your primary status of residence
- Whether the extra activities do not interfere with your primary activities
- Whether the side job is not in violation of laws and regulations or related to the adult entertainment business
- Whether your overall stay and conduct raise any concerns
Since “Skilled Labor” is not designed to allow simple labor, side jobs such as convenience store work, factory line work, or cleaning are scrutinized particularly carefully in light of the purpose of the status of residence. Depending on the details, such a side job may not even qualify for the permission, so you should consult a professional in advance.
Risk of Refusal and Illustrative Problem Cases
The following are hypothetical examples to help you understand the system. They are not real cases.
Case 1: Hall staff side job without permission
Person A has “Skilled Labor (cook)” and works full time as a chef at a Japanese restaurant. To earn more, A starts working three evenings a week, four hours each, as a hall staff member at an izakaya, but does not apply for permission for extra activities.
If, at the time of renewal, Immigration requests an explanation of A’s work situation and discovers continuous work as hall staff through pay slips and work schedules, the authorities may regard this as paid activities outside “Skilled Labor” without permission. This could lead to a finding of unauthorized employment, non-renewal of the status of residence, or negative assessment in a future permanent residence application.
Case 2: Side job interfering with main work
Person B has “Skilled Labor” as a sports instructor and also holds side jobs in early-morning cleaning and late-night food service work. Due to overwork, B becomes frequently late or absent from the main job. If the employer responds to an Immigration inquiry that “B’s performance in the primary duties has recently been adversely affected,” the side work may be treated as interfering with the principal activity.
Even if B had obtained permission for extra activities, side jobs that clearly harm the performance of the main work can still cause problems in the examination at the time of renewal.
Practical Checklist Before Starting a Side Job or Multiple Part-Time Jobs
Foreign nationals working under the “Skilled Labor” status should carefully review the following points before taking on a side job or another part-time job:
- Whether the work falls within the scope of “Skilled Labor”
Check the employment contract and job description to see if the duties are truly based on the specialized skills allowed under “Skilled Labor.” - Whether your main employer understands and agrees
Company rules or employment contracts may prohibit or restrict side jobs. Confirm the internal rules to avoid labor disputes. - Whether you need permission for extra activities
If any part of the job appears to fall outside “Skilled Labor,” you should consider applying for permission. You will need to prepare detailed information about the employer, job description, and planned working hours. - Impact on renewal and future permanent residence
Unauthorized employment or activities inconsistent with the purpose of your status may lead to refusal of renewal or permanent residence. It is important to prioritize stable, long-term residence over short-term income gains.
Summary
For foreign nationals with the “Skilled Labor” status of residence, the key questions for side jobs and multiple part-time jobs are whether the work falls within the permitted activities and whether permission for extra activities is required. If your additional work is clearly within “Skilled Labor,” you may be able to work for multiple employers under certain conditions, but if the work falls outside this scope and you do not obtain permission, you risk being treated as engaging in unauthorized employment, which may lead to non-renewal of your status or deportation.
In particular, side jobs that involve simple labor, such as convenience store work, restaurant hall staff, or cleaning, are carefully assessed in light of the purpose of the “Skilled Labor” status, so it is dangerous to start such work based on your own assumptions. Since the conclusion can vary depending on the exact content and conditions of the side job, it is advisable to consult a specialist or the Immigration Services Agency in advance and plan your career in a legally safe manner.
