JAPANLIFE GUIDE
Emergency
City Office Procedures/Check soonRequired

When You Need Permission for Activities Outside Your Status

Before starting a part-time job or side work, check your status, activity, time limits, and permission.

Procedure at a glance

Who this is for
Students, dependents, and residents considering side work
Deadline
No single deadline; do not start before approval

Do this todayBefore work, check the status and permission fields on your residence card

If the deadline is near or passedIf you may already have worked without permission or outside its scope, list the activity, dates, hours, and pay, then consult immigration today.

Where to goRegional immigration office or Foreign Residents Information Center

work permissionpart-time jobstatus of residence
Official information checked: 2026-07-18Review status: Reviewed

Step-by-step guide

Follow these steps

Progress: 0/4 completed

1Confirm your case and deadlineList card details and planned work / Ask before starting work

What to do

  1. 1Check the status and work restriction on the card front and the outside-status permission box on the back; write the job, employer, start date, and weekly hours on one sheet
  2. 2If you cannot tell whether the activity fits your current status, show that sheet to the immigration office responsible for your address before starting and ask whether permission is required

Check before you start

  • Before work, check the status and permission fields on your residence card
  • List duties, hours, pay, and workplace from the contract
  • If unclear, ask immigration or its information center before starting

If the deadline is near or passed

  • If you may already have worked without permission or outside its scope, list the activity, dates, hours, and pay, then consult immigration today.
2Prepare the office and documentsChoose blanket or individual permission / Prepare application documents

What to do

  1. 1If permission is needed, use official guidance and immigration advice to identify blanket permission, often relevant to eligible students or dependents, or individual permission tied to an employer or activity
  2. 2From the official list for your status and permission type, prepare the application, residence card, passport, and documents describing the activity and work conditions

Basic items to bring

  • Residence card
  • Passport
  • Documents describing planned activity
  • Employment contract or working conditions notice
  • School or employer records requested by official guidance

Fees

  • Confirm the current fee, if any, on the official permission page.

Online options

  • Online coverage differs by procedure. Check whether the online step completes the process or whether an in-person visit or pickup is still required.

If you cannot go

  • Check the official procedure page for whether the applicant, legal representative, or an approved/notified intermediary may file.

If documents are missing

  • If a document is missing, do not guess or substitute it. Tell the office its exact name and ask whether you can consult first, submit it later, and where to obtain it.
3File or applyWait for approval before working / Check permission scope and expiry

What to do

  1. 1Apply before the activity begins and save the receipt. Do not start merely because you applied; wait until the result and conditions are confirmed
  2. 2After approval, check the card back, passport endorsement, or permit for activity, named employer, weekly limit, prohibited work, and permission expiry

Time to completion

  • Do not start the activity before permission. After filing, ask about the expected result date and how additional-document requests will arrive.
4Confirm completion and the next deadlineTrack total hours and changes

What to do

  1. 1Show the scope to the employer and record combined weekly hours across all jobs; recheck before the job, employer, or status of residence changes

Confirm at completion

  • Permission need was checked before starting and approval obtained if required
  • Permitted activity, hours, and conditions are shared with employer or school

What you receive

  • Check the card or result for permission status, blanket or individual scope, permitted activity, and hour limits.

Check before leaving

  • Before leaving, check your name, address, covered period, and procedure type, then ask about the next deadline and contact method.

Records to keep

  • Keep the reference number, filing date, office, copies of submitted documents, and next contact date. Save confirmation screens and emails for online filings.

Next action

  • Show the permitted scope to the employer. If you have multiple jobs, track total hours and recheck before changing duties.

Confirm with the official office

  • This page cannot determine the latest form, appointment and hours, municipality-specific additions, individual review, or same-day handling. Confirm these immediately before filing.
  • Status, activity, pay, hours, and permission type
Important cautions
  • Do not start work before permission is granted
  • Hour limits vary by status, school break, and activity
  • Even unpaid activity can need confirmation depending on its nature
Find where to go

Useful Japanese phrases

When You Need Permission for Activities Outside Your Status

この件について相談したいです。必要なものと次に行く場所を教えてください。

Kono ken ni tsuite sodan shitai desu. Hitsuyo na mono to tsugi ni iku basho o oshiete kudasai.

I would like to ask about this issue. Please tell me what I need and where I should go next.

Counter

この手続きに必要なものを教えてください。

Kono tetsuzuki ni hitsuyo na mono o oshiete kudasai.

Please tell me what I need for this procedure.

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