Working Part-Time on a Student Visa: The 28-Hour Rule Explained

Can You Work on a Student Visa?

Yes. A student visa lets you take a part-time job, but only after you get permission, and only within set hour limits. The core limit is 28 hours per week during term time, counting all your jobs together. Work is meant to support your studies, not replace them, so attendance and grades still come first.

You Need Work Permission First

Before you earn a single yen, you need Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence (in Japanese, 資格外活動許可, shikakugai katsudo kyoka). Working without it is a visa violation, even if you stay within 28 hours.

The good news is that it is straightforward and free:

• At the airport: if you arrive at a major airport such as Narita, Haneda, or Kansai, you can apply at the immigration counter and get the permission stamped on arrival.
• At an immigration office: otherwise, apply at your regional immigration bureau after you arrive. Processing usually takes a couple of weeks.
• It is free, and once granted it stays valid for the rest of your study period, no matter how many times you change jobs.

The 28-Hour Rule Explained

During term, you may work a maximum of 28 hours in any week. A few details catch people out:

• The 28 hours is the total across every job. Two jobs of 20 hours each is not allowed.
• It is a firm weekly cap, not an average. You cannot work 40 hours one week and 16 the next to balance it out.
• It counts hours actually worked, including paid overtime.

Because work eats into study time, treat it as a top-up rather than your main income. If you are budgeting your year, see our guide on how much a Japanese language school costs.

Working During School Holidays

During your school’s official long holidays, the limit rises to 8 hours per day (around 40 hours per week). This applies to designated vacation periods such as the spring, summer, and winter breaks, when there are no classes. Outside those official holidays, the 28-hour weekly cap still applies.

Jobs You Are Not Allowed to Do

Some work is off-limits regardless of hours. Students cannot work in the adult-entertainment and nightlife industry, which includes hostess and host bars, certain nightclubs, and pachinko parlors. This applies even to non-customer roles such as washing dishes or cleaning in those venues. Taking such a job is a serious violation, so stick to mainstream employers like convenience stores, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and delivery.

How Much Can You Earn?

Pay depends on the job and the prefecture, since the minimum wage is set regionally and is highest in Tokyo. Hourly pay for typical student jobs is roughly ¥1,000–¥1,300. Within the 28-hour limit, that works out to around ¥80,000–¥120,000 a month during term, with more possible during the longer-hours holiday periods.

That is a meaningful contribution to rent and daily costs, but it is not enough to cover tuition on top of living expenses. Plan to fund your studies separately and treat part-time earnings as support for day-to-day life.

Where to Find a Part-Time Job

Most students find work through job sites, many of which let you filter for roles that welcome international applicants. Some popular options are:

• Foreigner-friendly sites: GaijinPot Jobs and WORK JAPAN list roles in English aimed at international applicants.
• Large Japanese sites: Baitoru, Townwork, and Mynavi Baito have the most listings and often a “students welcome” filter, though they are mostly in Japanese.
• Teaching your language: English or other language tutoring is among the best-paid student work. Try eikaiwa schools or platforms like Preply and Cafetalk.
• Walking in: many restaurants and shops still post “staff wanted” (スタッフ募集) signs, so asking directly can work.

The most common first jobs are at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are used to hiring foreign staff), restaurants and cafes, kitchens, hotels, and delivery. One reality check: most of these need everyday conversational Japanese, often around JLPT N4 to N3. If your Japanese is still basic, language teaching and roles at international companies are the easiest way in while you improve. Your language school may help too, as many have a job board or staff who assist with applications.

What Happens If You Break the Rules

The limits are enforced, not just on paper. Employers report your earnings for tax, and immigration can cross-check those records when you apply to renew or extend your visa. Consistently working over 28 hours, working without permission, or taking a banned job can lead to a renewal being refused and, in serious cases, deportation. A few extra hours are not worth losing your place in Japan, so keep your own record of the hours you work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours can I work on a student visa in Japan?

Up to 28 hours per week during term, counting every job combined. During your school's official long holidays you can work up to 8 hours per day (about 40 hours per week). You must hold work permission first.

Do I need permission to work part-time?

Yes. Before taking any paid job you need 'Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted' (shikakugai katsudo kyoka). It is free, can be applied for at the airport when you arrive or at a regional immigration office, and once granted it covers any part-time job.

Can part-time work pay for my tuition?

Realistically, no. Within the 28-hour limit most students earn roughly ¥80,000–¥120,000 a month during term, which helps with living costs but does not cover tuition. You should fund tuition separately and show enough savings for your visa.

What happens if I work more than 28 hours?

It is treated as a serious violation. Employers report your hours for tax, and immigration cross-checks them at visa renewal. Going over the limit can lead to your visa renewal being refused or, in serious cases, deportation.

Are any jobs off-limits?

Yes. Students may not work in the adult-entertainment and nightlife industry (hostess and host bars, pachinko, certain clubs), even in non-customer roles such as cleaning or dishwashing.