Key takeaways

• You need immigration permission before you work, and you can often apply for it at the airport when you arrive.
• The limit is 28 hours per week during term, counted across all your jobs, and up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week during your school's official long vacations.
• At Tokyo's minimum wage of ¥1,280, a full 28-hour week earns about ¥35,840 before tax.
• Adult entertainment venues are off limits, so check the workplace before you accept a job.

About this guide: written by the LALALA Nihon team. LALALA Plus Co., Ltd. has helped students apply to Japanese language schools since 2009, and our counselors have helped more than 1,000 students. This guide on part-time work for students is based on the official sources listed at the end and on the published information of our partner schools.

Part-time work is a normal part of student life in Japan, and it can cover a meaningful share of your living costs. But students on a visa cannot simply start working: you need permission first, and there are strict limits on hours and on the kind of workplace. This guide explains the rules, what you can realistically earn, and how to find your first job.

Do you need permission to work?

Yes. Holders of the "Student" status of residence are not allowed to earn money unless they receive permission to engage in activity other than that permitted by their status of residence (shikakugai katsudō kyoka) from the Immigration Services Agency. For regular part-time work this is usually a general permit, so you do not need to apply again each time you change employers.

New arrivals at airports that issue residence cards can often apply for the permit at the airport when they receive their card. You can also apply later at a regional immigration bureau, often with your school's help. The permit lasts only as long as your student status, so you need to renew it when you extend your stay. Ask your school which method it recommends.

How many hours can you work?

The limits apply to the total of all your jobs, not to each job separately, so keep your own record of hours. Going over the limit can affect your visa renewal, so treat 28 hours as a hard ceiling. Expect your school to ask about your workplace and hours from time to time, and ask your school how it checks.

Jobs you cannot do

Work in the adult entertainment business is prohibited. That includes places such as snack bars, love hotels and pachinko parlors, and it also covers jobs like washing dishes or cleaning at those venues. If you are unsure whether a workplace is allowed, ask your school or the immigration bureau before you accept the job.

What can you earn? A worked example

Minimum wages went up in autumn 2026. Tokyo's minimum wage is ¥1,280 per hour, Osaka's is ¥1,231, and Kyoto's is ¥1,180 from November 16, 2026. The table shows what a full 28-hour week would pay at the minimum wage, before tax.

During a long vacation in Tokyo, 40 hours a week at ¥1,280 would be ¥51,200 per week, or ¥204,800 over four weeks (about US$1,300). These are floors, not promises: many jobs pay more than the minimum, but class schedules and shift availability often mean you work fewer than 28 hours. US dollar amounts are estimates at about ¥158 = US$1.

For comparison, our cost of living guide estimates student budgets at ¥73,000 to ¥190,000 per month. The Tokyo example of about ¥143,000 would cover the low end of that range almost twice and about three-quarters of the high end, before tax. Part-time income helps, but schools and immigration officers still expect you to arrive with enough savings for tuition and your first year.

Where do students usually work?

Common part-time jobs for language school students include convenience stores, restaurants and cafés, supermarkets, hotels, and tutoring or English-conversation roles. Many employers expect at least basic conversational Japanese, and customer-facing jobs usually ask for more. Choose a job with schedules that fit around your class times, because attendance at school comes first.

Photo: Jonas Gerlach on Unsplash.

How to find a job

• Ask your school office, since many schools share job listings or know local employers.
• Check job sites and apps in English or Japanese and look for ads that welcome international staff.
• Look for posters and signs near your home or station.
• Prepare a simple Japanese résumé (rirekisho) and practice a short self-introduction.

Before your first shift, practice the polite phrases staff use every day. Our guide to Japanese business phrases is a good place to start.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Counting hours job by job instead of adding them together.
• Starting work before the permit is approved.
• Accepting a job at a venue that is on the prohibited list.
• Assuming the permit continues after you finish language school or switch schools.
• Working beyond the limit because a manager asked, without telling your school.

Tips for staying within the rules

• Carry your residence card and keep copies of your work permit.
• Ask for a written contract or a clear shift schedule, and keep your pay slips.
• Write down the hours you work every week, across every employer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work before my classes start?

No. Your permission applies only while you are an enrolled student, so you cannot work before enrollment begins.

Can I keep working after I finish language school?

No. Your part-time permission is tied to your student status, so it ends when your studies end. If you move on to a university or vocational school, confirm your permission with your new school.

Does the 28-hour limit apply to each job?

No. It applies to all your jobs combined.

How do I know when my vacation periods are?

Your school sets its long vacations, and the 40-hour limit applies only during those official periods. For example, ISI publishes its vacation dates each academic year, so check your school's calendar.

Related guides

• Scholarships for Japanese Language School Students
• SMBC Banking and Money Transfers in Japan: A Guide
• Student Housing in Japan: Dorms, Apartments, Homestays
• Cost of Living in Japan for International Students: 2027
• Japanese Residence Card: Zairyū Card Guide
• How to Study Abroad in Japan: Applications and Planning

Sources and further reading

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: permission to engage in activity other than that permitted
• ISI Japanese Language School: part-time work and school holidays
• Our student visa guide

Planning to study in Japan and work part-time? If you would like help choosing a school, see our 2027 cost guide, the April 2027 intake timeline, or book a free consultation with LALALA Nihon.