Can International Students Work Part-Time in Japan? Permission, the 28-Hour Limit and Real Earnings
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Before they leave, many students ask whether part-time work can pay for their tuition and living costs. The short answer: international students can work part-time, but only with permission, within hour limits, and with no guarantee of income. This guide explains the rules and the reality, using official information.
We checked the official pages listed at the bottom on 7 November 2026. Rules can change, so confirm the latest details with your school and the Immigration Services Agency before you start work.
What to know first
- The "Student" status of residence is for studying. By itself it does not allow you to work.
- To work, you need permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted (shikaku-gai katsudo kyoka).
- There is a limit on the hours you can work.
- Part-time income is meant to supplement your costs. It is not a way to pay for everything.
1. What the permission is
The "Student" status is granted for the purpose of studying in Japan. You must not do paid work without permission. To work part-time, you first obtain this permission.
Where to apply
- If your stay will be longer than three months, you can apply at the airport or other port of entry when you first enter Japan.
- Otherwise, you apply at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau (or branch) that covers the place where you live.
There is no application fee. Check the Immigration Services Agency for the current list of required documents. Your school may also explain the procedure.
After you receive permission
Once permission is granted, it is recorded on your residence card. Check the residence card yourself before you start working. Do not work without permission.
2. Hour limits
The main limits shown by the Immigration Services Agency and Study in Japan (JASSO) are:
| Situation | Limit |
|---|---|
| During the school term | Within 28 hours a week |
| During the school's long holidays | Up to 8 hours a day (labor law limits also apply) |
Please note:
- The 28 hours are a total across all your jobs. Having several jobs does not raise the limit.
- During long holidays, the general limits of the Labor Standards Act (in principle 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week) and the rules on breaks and days off still apply. It does not mean you can freely work 8 hours every day.
- Which periods count as long holidays depends on your school's calendar. Ask your school.
- Confirm the latest rules with your school and the Immigration Services Agency.
3. Work that is not allowed
You cannot work in businesses regulated as entertainment businesses (fuzoku eigyo, such as certain bars and clubs), sex-related businesses, specified late-night entertainment and dining businesses, and similar businesses. This is true even if you hold permission. Any activity carried out at such a business is not allowed even if the task is cleaning, washing dishes or reception. If you are unsure, ask your school or the Immigration Services Agency before you start.
4. What happens if you break the rules
Breaking the conditions can lead to punishment and to being required to leave Japan.
Working too much can also hurt your studies. If your attendance drops, you may not be able to extend your stay. JASSO warns that some students every year cannot renew their status for this reason. School comes before part-time work.
5. What students actually earn
According to a JASSO survey (2023):
- About 65% of privately financed international students work part-time.
- The average monthly income is about 81,000 yen.
- Hourly pay: about 20% earn under 1,000 yen, about 50% earn 1,000 to 1,200 yen, and about 20% earn 1,200 to 1,400 yen. The average is about 1,300 yen.
These figures are averages for all privately financed international students, not only language school students. Your own income depends on the job, the hours, the place and your Japanese, and it is not guaranteed.
JASSO says part-time work alone cannot cover all tuition and living costs, and recommends a funding plan that does not rely on it. It also warns that brokers who claim you can earn 3,000 yen an hour or 200,000 to 300,000 yen a month are wrong.
For tuition and living costs, see the cost guide.
6. What kinds of jobs are common
Common jobs in the JASSO survey include:
| Job | Share |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 39.2% |
| Sales | 28.4% |
| Factory assembly | 6.0% |
| Teaching or research assistant | 5.6% |
| Hotel work | 4.2% |
| Language teaching, cleaning, etc. | 3.4% |
Soon after you arrive your Japanese will be limited, so you may not find the job you want right away.
7. What to check when choosing a job
JASSO recommends checking these points:
- Effect on classes: Will late or long shifts affect your class the next day?
- How you are paid: Daily, weekly or monthly? Cash or bank transfer?
- Safety: Is the workplace safe, and is there insurance for accidents at work?
- Ask your school: Some schools can refer you to part-time jobs. Ask first.
It also helps to confirm your working conditions (hourly pay, hours, tasks) in writing. If anything is unclear, ask a staff member at your school.
8. Before you come to Japan
- Do not count on part-time income from the start. Right after you arrive, the permission, your Japanese and the job search all take time.
- Plan a budget that covers tuition and living costs without part-time work.
- Once you start working, keep attendance and grades as your first priority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work right after I arrive?
Only after you receive permission. If your stay will be longer than three months, you can apply at the airport when you enter. Check on your residence card that permission has been granted before you work.
Can I work more than 28 hours a week?
During the term the limit is within 28 hours a week. During long holidays it is up to 8 hours a day, but the Labor Standards Act limits (in principle 40 hours a week) and the rules on breaks and days off still apply. The limit is counted across all your jobs. Confirm the latest rules with your school and the Immigration Services Agency.
Can part-time work alone pay for tuition and living costs?
JASSO says it cannot cover all of them. The average monthly income is about 81,000 yen. Plan a budget that does not depend on part-time work.
Can I skip school because of work?
No. If your attendance falls, you may not be able to extend your stay.
Can I take any job?
No. You cannot work in entertainment businesses (fuzoku eigyo), sex-related businesses or specified late-night entertainment and dining businesses, or carry out any activity at such places.
What to do next
To find a school you can attend without relying on part-time income, compare fees, locations and dormitories in the school list. For the full process, see How to Study in Japan from Nepal, and for choosing a school, see How to Choose a Japanese Language School. If you need help, contact us. This site is free to use. We do not guarantee admission or a visa.