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Last updated: July 27, 2026
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•International students in Japan can work up to 28 hours a week with a work permit, and more during long breaks. Here are the rules, limits, and risks.
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Quick answer (30 seconds): If you hold a "Student" residence status in Japan, you may take a part-time job only after you get a work permit (Permission to Engage in an Activity Other than That Permitted). With that permit you can work up to 28 hours per week. During your school's official long vacations the cap rises to 8 hours per day. Going over the limit, or working without the permit, is treated as illegal work and can cost you your visa renewal or get you deported.
General guidance only. This article explains the rules in plain English. It is not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules and your individual situation can vary, so confirm your case with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), your school's international office, or a certified immigration lawyer before you act.
Who this rule applies to
This rule is for people living in Japan on the Student status of residence (留学, ryūgaku) — university, graduate school, vocational school ("senmon gakko"), and Japanese-language school students.
The "Student" status is granted so you can study. It does not include the right to work. To take any paid part-time job, you first need a separate work permit (see below). The 28-hour cap is a condition attached to that permit.
If you are in Japan on a different status (for example a dependent of a worker, or a working-holiday visa), the rules differ — this article focuses on the Student status.
What the work permit is
The permit's full name is the Permission to Engage in an Activity Other than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (資格外活動許可, shikakugai-katsudo-kyoka). People usually just call it the "work permit" or "permission for activities outside status."
Key points:
You apply at a regional Immigration Services Agency office, or you can request it when you first land at the airport if you already have your residence card.
The common version is a comprehensive (blanket) permit: once granted, it covers part-time work in general, so you do not have to re-apply every time you change jobs.
It is tied to your status. When you renew or change your residence status, you generally need to renew the work permission too.
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Needs review: Approval, visa/tax/legal, availability, and campaign terms are not guaranteed. Confirm on the official or partner page.
Application is typically free of charge, but processing time and any document requirements vary / check the official source.
Working in certain industries is never covered (see "Jobs you can never do").
Tip: Apply for the work permit before you start any job. Even one shift worked without the permit counts as illegal work.
The core limit: 28 hours per week
With the permit, a Student-status holder may work up to 28 hours in any one week. That single number is the heart of the rule, so it is worth understanding exactly how it is measured.
"One week" means any rolling 7 days
Immigration does not only check a fixed Monday-to-Sunday calendar week. The limit applies to any consecutive 7-day period. In other words, no matter which day you pick as the start, the total for that block of 7 days must stay at or under 28 hours.
A quick example: if you work 10 hours each on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, that is 30 hours inside one 7-day window — already over the limit — even if you rest the other four days.
All your jobs are added together
The 28 hours is a total across every job, not 28 hours per employer. If you have two or three part-time jobs, you must add up all the hours. The combined total still has to stay within 28 hours per week.
Watch out: A common, honest mistake is thinking each job has its own 28-hour allowance. It does not. Track the sum of all your shifts.
Long vacations: up to 8 hours a day
During your school's officially designated long vacation periods — typically summer, winter, and spring breaks as set in your institution's academic calendar — the limit changes. In those periods you may work up to 8 hours per day.
Two things to keep in mind:
The break must be an official long vacation defined by your school. You cannot just decide you are "on holiday."
Japan's Labor Standards Act still applies, so in practice weekly working time is generally capped around 40 hours even during vacations. The 8-hours-a-day allowance does not mean unlimited weekly hours.
Here is the at-a-glance comparison:
Period
Limit
Notes
Regular school term
28 hours / week
Any rolling 7-day window; all jobs combined
Official long vacation
8 hours / day
Labor Standards Act still applies (≈40 h/week max)
Leave of absence (休学)
No work allowed
Work permission does not apply while on leave
When you cannot work at all
If you take a formal leave of absence (休学, kyūgaku) from your school, you are not allowed to work, even if you still hold the permit. The work permission is tied to you being an active student. Working while on leave is treated as illegal work.
If you finish or quit your studies, the basis for your Student status and the work permit ends as well. At that point you should consult your school or the ISA about your status before doing any work.
Jobs you can never do
Some work is off-limits even within the 28-hour cap. The permit does not cover the adult-entertainment and gambling sector, including (but not limited to):
Bars, snack bars, and nightclubs that have staff sit with or entertain customers
Adult-entertainment businesses of any kind
Gambling-related venues such as pachinko parlors and mahjong parlors
Working at these places is prohibited regardless of how few hours you do — even cleaning or kitchen work on the premises can be a problem. When in doubt about a specific employer, ask your school's international office first.
What happens if you break the rule
Going over 28 hours, working without the permit, or working while on leave all count as illegal work (不法就労, fuho-shuro) under Japan's immigration law. Possible consequences include:
Refusal of your next visa renewal or extension. This is the most common real-world outcome and can quietly end your stay.
Deportation from Japan in more serious cases.
Criminal penalties. Illegal work is a punishable offense.
It is not only you who is at risk. An employer who knowingly hires someone to work illegally can face the offense of promoting illegal work, which carries penalties of up to 3 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to ¥3,000,000, or both. Good employers therefore check your residence card and permit carefully — and you should expect them to.
Reality check: According to ISA figures, illegal work is a leading reason foreign nationals are subject to removal procedures each year. The 28-hour line is enforced, so treat it as a hard limit, not a guideline.
Practical tips to stay safe
Get the permit before your first shift, and keep your residence card and permit with you.
Log every shift across all jobs in one place (a phone note or spreadsheet) and watch the rolling 7-day total — not just the calendar week.
Tell each employer about your other jobs so the combined hours don't quietly exceed 28.
Re-confirm your school's official vacation dates before relying on the 8-hours-a-day rule.
Pause work immediately if you take a leave of absence, and confirm with your school before resuming.
When anything is unclear, ask your school's international student office or the Immigration Services Agency rather than guessing.
Does the 28 hours reset every Monday?
No. The limit applies to any 7-day window, not a fixed calendar week. If any rolling 7-day block adds up to more than 28 hours, you are over the limit even if you rest later in the week.
I have two part-time jobs. Do I get 28 hours for each?
No. The 28 hours is the combined total across all jobs. Add up every employer's hours together.
Can I really work 8 hours a day during summer break?
Yes, during your school's officially designated long vacation you may work up to 8 hours per day. But the Labor Standards Act still applies, so weekly hours are generally capped around 40. Confirm your school's exact vacation dates first.
Can I work while taking a leave of absence?
No. Work is not permitted during a leave of absence, even if you already hold the permit. Wait until you are an active student again.
What is the safest thing to do if I'm unsure?
Ask before you act. Contact your school's international office or the Immigration Services Agency, or speak to a certified immigration lawyer. It is far cheaper than risking a denied visa renewal.
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Yushi Yamamoto
CEO / Japan Life Expert
Updated on: July 27, 2026
Disclaimer
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
