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.