Work & Study
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Last updated: July 27, 2026
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" The yen is weak, and life is getting expensive. I want to earn extra cash working for Uber Eats or a convenience store on weekends."
If this is what you are thinking, please stop for a moment. That action could, in the worst-case scenario, lead to "Deportation."
Many foreign residents misunderstand this, but the legal rules for "part-time work (28 hours/week)" allowed for International Students are completely different from "side jobs" allowed for holders of a Work Visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services). Especially since the Immigration Control Act amendments (and stricter enforcement leading into 2025/2026), corporate monitoring of illegal employment has become much more severe.
In this article, we explain how holders of the "Gijinkoku" (Engineer/Humanities/Intl. Services) visa can engage in side jobs "legally" and with "minimal risk of being found out by their employer." We will cover specific methods and the "Red Zone" (simple labor) you must absolutely avoid, based on the latest legal realities.
::SpeechBubble{icon="man" position="left" text="My friend, who is an international student, makes 100,000 yen a month with Uber Eats. Since I'm also a foreign resident, it's fine for me too, right?"}SpeechBubble{icon="woman" position="right" text="That is the most dangerous misconception! The legal 'foundation' for students and work visas is completely different. If you start without thinking, you might not be able to renew your visa."}
First, the conclusion: Engaging in a side job while holding an "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa is not prohibited by the Immigration Control Act itself. However, there are extremely strict limits on the "Content of Activities."
The following jobs are highly likely to be considered "Simple Labor" (unskilled labor), and you generally cannot perform them under your current visa.
To do these jobs, you need "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted." However, for a holder of a high-skilled work visa to get this permission for simple labor is currently "virtually impossible."
On the other hand, if the side job falls "within the scope" of your current visa, you can do it without special permission.
In other words, if it is a "side job that utilizes your professional skills," it is legally safe and allows you to aim for higher unit prices.
You might think, "I just need to go to Immigration and get permission, right?" But there is a big trap here.
If you apply saying, "I want to do Uber Eats, so please give me permission," under current Immigration practices, it will likely be rejected on the grounds that it "does not match the dignity or original activities of the Engineer/Humanities visa." Even scarier is that a record that you "attempted to engage in simple labor" remains with Immigration. This risks becoming a "Yabuhebi" (waking a sleeping snake)—a negative factor during your next visa renewal.
Even if you clear the legal issues, the next worry is "Will my main company find out?" The cause of 90% of leaks is "Residence Tax."
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Japan's Residence Tax is calculated based on the previous year's income and is usually deducted from your company salary (Special Collection). When your income increases due to a side job, the "Residence Tax Determination Notice" sent to your company's payroll department will show an amount higher than what would be calculated from your company salary alone.
"Huh? This person is supposed to have an annual income of 4 million yen, but their Residence Tax corresponds to an income of 6 million yen?"
This is how the side job is exposed.
The only way to prevent this is to check the box for "Self-Payment (Ordinary Collection)" for the Residence Tax on your side job income when filing your Final Tax Return (Kakutei Shinkoku). However, recently, some municipalities force "Special Collection" (deduction from salary) as a matter of policy, so this is not 100% preventable.
For a detailed explanation of taxes, please refer to Residence Tax: Why Does Take-Home Pay Drop in Year 2? The "Post-Payment" Trap. Also, for steps on filing taxes, Year-End Adjustment vs. Final Tax Return: How to Get Your Refund is a helpful reference.
To avoid tax risks and conflict with your employer, choosing a 'Professional Skill-Based' side job is the smartest choice.
Rather than risking your visa to earn ¥1,100 per hour at a convenience store, it is far more efficient—and risk-free—to use your professional skills to earn ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 per hour.
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If you are currently working as an IT engineer, the safest and highest-paying side job is "Remote Development Projects." It is not uncommon to find projects worth ¥300,000 to ¥500,000 per month for working just 2-3 days a week. Since this falls within the scope of the "Engineer" visa, you avoid Immigration Law troubles.
Especially if you are looking for flexible projects starting from 2 days a week, using an agent is essential.
Offers many high-paying projects suitable for full-time employees, such as 'From 2 days/week', 'Weekends only', and 'Remote'. Because they deal directly with end clients, the agency margin is low, meaning more money in your pocket. Start by looking for technical projects with zero visa risk.
Those under the "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" category (non-engineers) should also avoid simple labor. Sell your "Language Ability" or "Knowledge of your Home Country" through translation, interpretation, overseas market research, or SNS management.
These skills sell for a high price on skill-sharing services.
There are people looking for your skills in translation, interpretation, document creation, and more. Listing is free and work is completed at home, keeping the risk of your company finding out low.
One of Japan's largest crowdsourcing sites. There are many listings for tasks you can do in your spare time, such as writing, data entry, and translation.
Finally, to avoid trouble, strictly check the following three points.
If you are looking to increase your salary in your main job rather than a side job, consider checking 2025 Guide: Comparison of Japanese Job Sites & Agents for Foreigners.
Doing a side job on an Engineer/Humanities visa carries the risk of visa revocation if you choose simple labor like Uber Eats. Choose a side job that utilizes your "Professional Skills" (development, translation, content creation, etc.), which are your strengths, and if necessary, obtain the appropriate permissions properly. Start by checking agent sites to see what kind of projects you can receive with your current skills.
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A: Generally no — standard work visas (Engineer/Humanities, etc.) authorize work only at the specific activity for which the visa was granted. To legally engage in additional income activities, you need permission for "activities outside the scope of status of residence" (資格外活動許可). Apply at the Immigration Bureau.
A: This is a permit allowing foreigners to work beyond their visa category. For standard work visa holders, it's used to permit work at a second employer. The permission is limited (e.g., no more than 28 hours/week for students, conditions vary for work visa holders). Apply at your nearest Regional Immigration Bureau with your Residence Card and a description of the intended activities.
A: Passive income from investments, affiliate marketing, and selling your own belongings generally does not require special permission. However, actively providing services for payment (freelance programming, design, writing, tutoring) outside your visa category requires 資格外活動許可. Failure to obtain this is a violation punishable by deportation in serious cases.
A: Generally safe without special permits: stock/investment income, cryptocurrency trading gains, YouTube ad revenue (where you are a content creator), rental income from a property you own, and foreign-sourced income from work you did before arriving in Japan. Report all income in your 確定申告.
A: Permanent Residence (永住者) and Long-Term Resident (定住者) visa holders have no restrictions on work type or additional employment. You can work any job, start a business, or do any side income activity without special permits. Spouse of Japanese national (日本人の配偶者) visa also has no restrictions.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: July 27, 2026
※ 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.
