Engaging in activity outside scope permitted

If you wish to engage in another activity either on a temporally basis or on the side in addition to that permitted under your current residency status, you need to obtain permission in advance. However, those who have permanent residency status, are a spouse of a Japanese, or a spouse of a permanent resident or a permanent settler do not have any regulations governing their activities. Therefore they are allowed to run a business that makes a profit or engage in activities to receive compensation without applying for permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under their residency status.

Otherwise an activity is designated depending on the type of status, and it is prohibited to engage in these other activities. However, as far as it does not disturb the activity permitted under the current residency status, it is possible to obtain permission to engage in other activities, such as running a business that makes a profit or engaging in a paid activity.

This procedure is required, for example, when a foreign student with overseas education status wishes to work part time to pay for school expenses and other necessary expenditures while studying in Japan.
It should be noted however that "short stay" status does not allow any other activities than the ones specifically permitted.

Procedure for each case

Engaging in an activity beyond the scope permitted under the current status of residence