Working in Japan: Navigating Visa Regulations and Practical Considerations

The possibility of working in Japan during a visit visa stay is often a topic of interest, especially for those who aim to work online or temporarily. However, it is important to understand the legal framework and practical challenges associated with working under a short-stay visa in Japan.

Understanding the Limitations of a Visit Visa

To begin with, it is crucial to understand that a visit visa does not include the right to work. The scope of activities permitted under a short-stay visa is limited to

social visits, tourism, and sightseeing. Engaging in paid work under such a visa is generally not permitted unless specific conditions are met. This means that if you possess a short-stay visa, you must secure additional authorization to work legally in Japan.

Obtaining Permission to Work

To legally work in Japan under a short-stay visa, you need to obtain a Permit to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted by Status of Residence. This permit is issued in addition to your current visa and requires a series of conditions to be met:

The proposed work should not interfere with the primary activities allowed under your current visa. You are engaged in activities that are legally permissible under your visa. The type of work you wish to undertake is acceptable according to Japanese law. You do not have any disqualifying circumstances that would prevent you from obtaining this permit.

For some specific categories, such as international students, obtaining this permit to work part-time is more common, as there are fewer restrictions on the types of work they can undertake. The permit does not explicitly exclude short-term visa holders, which opens up potential avenues for working legally.

Challenges in Practicing the Regulation

Despite the clarity provided by the Immigration Bureau, there are practical challenges in obtaining the necessary permit. The primary hurdle is the requirement to write the permit on the residence card. Since holders of short-term visas do not have a residence card, fulfilling this requirement becomes problematic. As a result, it is usually expected that applications for this permit would be rejected due to these operational difficulties.

Online Work and Low-Risk Ventures

For those who work online, such as translators, vloggers, or bloggers, the situation is generally more relaxed. The police are unlikely to investigate your activities, as they often view your work on a laptop as merely sending an email to a family member. While it is technically a grey area, the practical enforcement of these regulations is rare.

Physical Employment and Legal Risks

Working on a tourist visa for physical jobs, other than online work, is illegal and subjects you to serious legal consequences, such as imprisonment, deportation, and potential fines. Cash payments for off-the-books work are common, and while technically illegal, the penalties are often not severe enough to warrant enforcement action.

Industries with Lesser Perceptibility

Industries such as language teaching, construction, manufacturing, and even sex work (in areas where fluency in the local language is not essential) offer fewer legal hurdles for short-stay visa holders. However, unless you are truly in a financial bind, it is advisable to consider the risks and disadvantages of working in Japan illegally, and to explore other options, such as earning money online or seeking appropriate visas.

Conclusion

While the possibility of working in Japan with a short-stay visa exists, it is fraught with legal and practical challenges. For the majority of individuals, the best practice is to secure the appropriate visa before embarking on any work in Japan to avoid legal complications and potential financial and personal risks. However, for those who specifically want to work online, the current regulatory framework provides some degree of flexibility and leniency.