Can I take a weekend second job while staying on 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」?

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from someone living in Japan under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 who is considering a second job at the weekend.

How far does 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 reach?

3 specialist fields sit inside a single status of residence, and work inside that box needs no extra permission as a rule.

「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is a status of residence built like one large box with 3 specialist fields inside it.

• 技術 (technology) — programming, design, engineering and so on (for example, a systems engineer)
• 人文知識 (humanities knowledge) — marketing, accounting, planning and so on
• 国際業務 (international services) — translation, interpreting, language teaching, public relations and so on (for example, a hotel front desk)

Even though you live in Japan under the 技術 part, if the work you do belongs to the 国際業務 part inside the same box, you can in principle do it without 資格外活動許可.

Is a second job at a hotel front desk allowed?

It is within scope if the work requires a high level of language ability, but not if unskilled work makes up most of it.

The point is whether the front desk work can be called specialist work.

• Where no permission is needed — where the main work requires a high level of language ability: serving foreign guests with interpreting and translation, managing overseas booking sites, giving tourist information in English and so on
• Where it amounts to 不法就労 (illegal work) — where most of the work is treated as so-called unskilled labour: cleaning the building, carrying luggage, making beds and so on

Unskilled labour is not permitted under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and as a rule 資格外活動許可 is not granted for it either. Before you are taken on, check with the second employer whether the work you will handle counts as employment in a specialist role.

Do I need permission to work as an engineer at another company?

No. The activity is within the same 技術 part as your current status of residence.

Where you use the same skills as in your main job and work as an engineer at another IT company, the activity is within the same 技術 part as your current status of residence, so no extra permission is needed even though it is a different company.

What do I do about tax?

The second employer must withhold tax, and you must file your own return if the income from the second job is more than 200,000 yen a year.

1. Withholding at the second job
   The company at your second job must withhold income tax from the salary it pays. For a second job, the higher rate under what is called the 乙欄 (the Otsu column) usually applies. If this is not done, the employer may also be pulled up in a tax audit.
2. Filing your own tax return
   If the income from your second job (revenue minus expenses) is more than 200,000 yen a year (20万円), you have a duty to file your own tax return. Deciding not to file because you do not want your main employer to find out is very dangerous.

At your next renewal, your 課税・納税証明書 (certificate of tax assessment and tax payment) is checked. If you have not filed, your residence situation may be judged unclear — income from a second job but no tax paid, or income and tax that do not match — and the risk that the renewal is denied becomes extremely high.

Is there anything else to watch?

3 things: your main employer's work rules, checking with the second employer, and managing your working hours.

1. Check your main employer's work rules
   Even where there is no problem under the 入管法 (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), if your main employer bans second jobs there is a risk that you are dismissed for breach of contract. If you are dismissed, you lose the foundation of your residence.
2. Check with the second employer
   When you are taken on, confirm again that this is employment in a specialist role. Also press them on whether they will withhold tax properly and issue a payment record and a withholding tax slip.
3. Manage your working hours
   If the combined hours of your main job and your second job become excessive, and you damage your health or neglect your main job, that can become a reason for doubts about the reality of your activity at your next screening.

If you are unsure whether the work at your second job counts as a specialist role, or you do not know how to go about filing your tax return, please talk to a specialist before it is too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.