Know the Status of Residence Rules for Internships in Japan!
Status of Residence
1. International Students Studying at Japanese Universities with a Student Visa
If you plan to participate in a paid internship, you must apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence.”
*It is illegal to work beyond the hours allowed by the Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted. Be sure to stay within the permitted working hours.
*Please refer to the following article to learn more about the permission to engage in activities other than your status of residency and how to count 28 hours of working time per week.
https://portal.jp-mirai.org/ja/study/s/study-abroad/part-time-and-immigration-law
2. International Students at Universities Overseas
- A Designated Activities (No. 9) visa is required to participate in paid internships. Certain conditions must be met to obtain this visa. Please review the requirements carefully.
- For unpaid internships, a Cultural Activities or Temporary Visitor visa is required.
| Current Status in Japan | Paid or Unpaid | Duration of Internship and Working Hours | Status of Residence and Necessary Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studying at a Japanese university on a student visa; looking for work on a Designated Activities visa, etc. | Paid | Over 28 hours per week | Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (individual permission) |
| Within 28 hours per week | Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (general permission) | ||
| Unpaid | – | No procedure required | |
| Enrolled in a university overseas | Paid | No more than one year | Designated Activities (No. 9 ) |
| Unpaid | More than 90 days | Cultural Activities | |
| Within 90 days | Temporary Visitor |
Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Status of Residence for Internships”
Part-time Job and Immigration Control Act
If you are an international student working part-time in Japan, there is a rule that you can work up to 28 hours per week. However, there are other important things to know in addition to this ‟28 hours per week” rule. Let’s take a look at regulations on part-time work.
Check the details of the internship and your status of residence.
To participate in an internship in Japan, foreign nationals must obtain the appropriate status of residence based on the type of internship they will be joining. Carefully review the details of the internship, obtain the appropriate status of residence, and make sure to follow the rules while participating.
*For inquiries regarding status of residence and procedures, please contact the Foreign Residents General Information Center.
Foreign Residents General Information Center
TEL: 0570-013904
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https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/consultation/center/index.html
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Job Hunting Schedule for International Students
How can international students find jobs in Japan? Looking for a job in Japan is called Shukatsu (job hunting). Some schools explain that job hunting starts in April, but many students start preparing before that. Here is the schedule of job hunting.
