Full guide
Process, exceptions, and official sources
Every step in order, with exceptions, special cases and official sources.
This information is for orientation only. Always confirm with ISA and your school’s international office before starting any paid work.
Student work roadmap
- Special ISA permission
- Written contract
- Payslip
- Status renewal / post-graduation
Student checklist — before accepting a baito job
- ISA stamp on the back of your Zairyu card (Permission to Engage…) — free application.
- Hours: max 28 hours/week during the academic term; up to 40 hours in long holidays (verify with ISA + school).
- Written contract (roudou keiyaku) with schedule and hourly pay ≥ prefectural minimum wage.
- Prohibited sectors — adult nightlife entertainment (ISA list); also follow university rules.
- Red flags: «cash only», no payslip, working before the ISA stamp.
Part-time work permission
- Apply at the immigration office (or online if available) with passport, card, and school document.
- Wait for approval (often same day or a few days).
- Check that the back of your Zairyu card shows the permission and any restrictions.
- Only then search for work and sign a contract.
Last updated: May 2026 — ISA — Permission to engage
Hour limits (College Student)
| Period | Indicative limit |
|---|---|
| Academic term | Max 28 hours/week |
| Official long holidays (summer, winter) | Often up to 40 hours/week — confirm current ISA circular and school policy |
| Prohibited sectors | Adult nightlife entertainment (e.g. certain bars, pachinko, adult entertainment) — ISA list |
| Unauthorized work | Criminal/administrative penalties, deportation |
Last updated: May 2026 — ISA
Part-time pay (indicative)
| City / sector | Gross hourly pay (2026) |
|---|---|
| Tokyo (minimum wage) | ¥1,163/h (from Oct 2024; verify annual increases) |
| Osaka / other prefectures | About ¥950–¥1,100/h (varies by prefecture) |
| Convenience store, 飲食, logistics | Often ¥1,100–¥1,400/h + transport |
| Private tutoring (eikaiwa) | ¥2,000–¥3,500/h if qualified |
Last updated: May 2026 — prefectural minimum wage: MHLW
Finding work (baito バイト)
- Portals: TownWork, Baitoru, Indeed Japan, LinkedIn.
- University: Part-time job board, career center (check school rules — some limit hours or sectors).
- Accessible sectors: Konbini, restaurants, hotels, cleaning, translation if you speak Japanese.
- Japanese CV (rirekisho) — Standard template in katakana/kanji.
Internships
- Curricular internship — University-company agreement; may be unpaid if provided by the programme — verify ISA permission.
- Do not disguise paid work as «volunteering» in practice.
- Injury coverage: Industrial Accident Compensation if legally employed work.
Taxes on salary
- Sign a contract with clear hours and pay (roudou keiyaku).
- Employer withholds income tax and any social contributions.
- Receive monthly payslip; keep for permit renewal and tax filings.
- The following year: pay resident tax (juminzei) in ward instalments.
After graduation: job search
- Before your student permit expires, consider switching to Designated Activities for job hunting (qualified employment search) — indicative duration up to 1 year if approved.
- Alternative: direct switch to a work status (e.g. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) with a sponsoring employer offer.
- Attend campus job fairs and follow the Japanese shukatsu (就活) calendar.
- Do not remain in Japan beyond your permit validity without an application in progress.
Last updated: May 2026 — ISA
Irregular work: risks
- Status revocation, fines, re-entry ban.
- No workers’ compensation protection.
- Report exploitation to the prefectural labour standards office (roudou kijun kantokusho).
Last updated: May 2026 — ISA
Next step: permit renewal and CoE — see the Bureaucracy guide.
Sources
Close windows and follow university notices - transport stops.
Quick reference
Urban security among the best in the world; risks: earthquakes, typhoons, and administrative compliance. Bike theft is rare but forgotten phones on trains happen.
Day-to-day safety
Newspaper
Common scams
Less common; watch out for “model agencies” and bar scams in Roppongi for tourists, fewer sleeping students.
Emergencies
If something goes wrong
Rights
Work without extra permit = possible deportation. Contract: Consult campus before signing in Japanese only.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.
Work permission (summary)
| Pattern | Note |
|---|---|
| College Student status | Typically up to 28 hours/week during term; during official long vacations many students may work up to 40 hours/week—confirm the latest ISA notice |
| Out-of-status work | Administrative penalties, deportation risk, and visa impact—never work outside your permission |
| Other statuses | Part-time only if printed on your residence card |
| Full-time employment | Employees’ health & pension (shakai hoken) and Labour Standards Act protections |
Rights & advice desks
Free labour consultation
Prefectural labour bureaus and public consultation windows—search your prefecture’s “labour standards” site.
Internships
School–company agreements; avoid unpaid “volunteer” work that is really disguised employment.
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.
Official sources and verification
4 HTTPS sources are already linked where they are used in the guide.