Understand Residence Statuses and How They Shape Your Job Options
If you hope to work in Japan, the first thing you must grasp is your “residence status.” Think of it as a permit that spells out exactly what kinds of activities you’re allowed to do in Japan—including the jobs you may hold, how many hours you can work, and how long you can stay. Failing to follow those rules can be treated as illegal employment and lead to deportation or other penalties. Knowing your status—and its limits—is therefore essential.
1. What Is a Residence Status?
Japan issues different residence statuses based on why you are staying:
| Typical Purpose | Example Status |
|---|---|
| Working | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, etc. |
| Studying | Student |
| Living with family | Dependent, Spouse/Child of Japanese National, etc. |
Before you enter Japan, confirm which status you need for your planned activities.
2. Major Residence Statuses for Work (with Key Points)
| Status | Who It’s For | Work Scope & Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Student (College/Specialist School) | University or vocational students | With a “Permission to Engage in Activities Outside the Scope,” you may work up to 28 hrs/week during term (up to 40 hrs/week in long breaks). Host bars, adult‐entertainment, and highly specialized jobs are off-limits. |
| Technical Intern Training | Trainees acquiring skills to take back to their home country | You can work only in the field specified in your training plan (e.g., agriculture, food processing, construction, caregiving, lodging). No side jobs. Status has three stages (No. 1, 2, 3) with different durations. |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | College or vocational‐school graduates using specialized knowledge | Roles like IT engineer, translator, marketer, designer. Renewable in 1- or 5-year blocks. |
| Specified Skilled Worker | People with practical skills in one of 14 labor-shortage fields | Sectors include caregiving, cleaning, construction, factory work, food service, and more. Maximum stay: 5 years. |
| Highly Skilled Professional | Researchers, senior engineers, corporate managers, etc. with high points under Japan’s scoring system | Fast-track to permanent residency, spouse work permission, and other advantages. |
3. Typical Restrictions to Watch
Job category – You may work only in fields explicitly allowed by your status.
Work hours – Student visas limit part-time hours, for instance.
Length of stay – Each status has its own renewal cycle and maximum period.
Ignoring these rules risks visa cancellation or forced departure.
4. How to Check (and Re-check) Your Status
Decide what job or study goal you have in Japan.
Verify which residence status supports that goal.
Remember that immigration laws change—always look up the latest information before you apply or switch jobs. The official source is Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (multilingual):
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/other_languages.html
5. Takeaway
Your residence status is the foundation of your working life in Japan. Understand its rules first, match your career plans to an appropriate status, and keep up with policy changes. With the right preparation, you’ll be free to focus on enjoying your job—and life—in Japan.