Permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted under the status of residence of "Student"

Please obtain the following permissions according to the activities you intend to engage in as activities outside the scope of your status of residence.
It is possible to receive both unspecified permission and individual permission.
It is possible to apply for the other permission if you already have one of the permissions.
For info about the application form, see here - PDF Excel (*The application form is the same for both unspecified and individual permission.)

Those who perform activities to operate a business that receives income or paid activities for up to 28 hours a week (eight hours a day during long break periods for the educational institution) are required to get unspecified permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted under their status of residence.
(Note) The "business management activities" referenced in the general license includes agreed upon working hours and management duties (clearly outlined in the contract), as well as taking orders for deliveries as a sole proprietorship, activities which have results-based compensation, and those in which operating hours may be objectively verified.
If the above does not apply, then they will need to apply for permission to work beyond the scope of their activities, as outlined below in 2.

Required documents

• Application form

If any of the conditions below apply, the person may be granted individual permission after specifying required information, such as the name of the public or private institution in Japan where they will perform the activity and the nature of the work.
Furthermore, they must fulfill all of the requirements for the permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted (general principles)

(1) Performing an internship for work experience as part of their job search activities
1. Eligible individuals
   1. A person who has a "Student" status of residence, is enrolled in a university (excluding junior colleges), and takes part in an internship at the end of the year when classes are finished, and has nearly acquired all of the credits required to graduate
      * Assuming the individual is a fourth year university student who acquired 90% or more of the credits required for graduation.
   2. A person who has a "Student" status of residence, is enrolled in a graduate school, and takes part in an internship at the end of the year when classes are finished
      * Assuming the individual is a second year masters student or third year doctorate student.
      (Note) Even in cases that do not fall under the categories above, students may receive permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence previously granted for a period exceeding 28 hours per week if the activities are closely related to their major subject, such as practical training necessary for earning credits.
2. Required documents
   • Application form
   • If you are a university student or graduate student, a certificate of enrollment from your university
   • If you are a university student, a document (transcript, etc.) that confirms the number of credits required for graduation and the number of credits earned

(2) In any of the following cases

1. The activity for which the application is made must be a language teacher, interpreter, tutor, or other occupation closely related to international students, or within the range of part-time work normally undertaken by students in terms of socially accepted practice.
2. Preparations to start a business in Japan

Required documents

• Application form
• Documents explaining the content, duration, and remuneration of the activities (no specified format)

(1) If it is objectively difficult to confirm working hours, such as in the case of a one-person business owner, the foreign national needs to acquire individual permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted.
(Note) Additional duties (taking orders for deliveries as a sole proprietorship, activities which have results-based compensation, those in which operating hours may be objectively verified, etc.) are only possible for those with a general license, as listed above in item 1.
(Note) Activities to operate a business as an activity other than those permitted by the foreign national's status of residence assumes the managing of individual and comparably small-scale businesses. If establishing a new corporation, hiring employees, or creating an office, the foreign national needs to change to the "Business Manager" status of residence.

Required documents

• Application form
• Documents explaining the plans of the business operations (no format specified)

(2) Working under subcontract or contract agreement
　　If the standard working hours are not clarified in a subcontract or contract agreement, the foreign national needs to acquire individual permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted.
(Note) If the standard working hours are clarified in these contracts, activities are permitted under the unspecified permission in point 1 above.

Required documents

• Application form
• Documents explaining the details of these contracts (no specified format)

Those who reside in Japan with a "Cultural Activities" status of residence will, in principle, be handled the same way as a "Student" status of residence if the following applies.
Those performing the same activities as students in Japanese branch schools of overseas universities, Japanese research centers, or international research and development corporations, etc.