日本語 English Tiếng Việt 中文 Português Indonesia
HomeArticles & GuidesDependent

Can I do part-time work on 「家族滞在」?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) / Published  / Last updated

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)

Answer

在留資格「家族滞在」 does not in principle allow you to work. However, with 資格外活動許可 you can do part-time work within a range of up to 28 hours per week as a general rule. About 20 hours per week, as the enquirer hopes for, fits within the permitted range.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from someone living with her husband, who holds a work status of residence, about whether she can work part-time on 家族滞在.

What is 「資格外活動許可」?

It is permission to carry out income-earning activity outside the activity allowed by your own status of residence.

資格外活動許可 is permission to carry out income-earning activity outside the activity allowed by the status of residence you hold.

「家族滞在」 is a status of residence for living with the support of someone else, so work is not allowed. If you want to do part-time work, you need to obtain this permission in advance.

How much can you work?

Working hours are up to 28 hours per week as a general rule, and the only jobs closed to you are those connected with 風俗営業等 (adult entertainment and related businesses).

The limit on working hours

The working hours for part-time work under 資格外活動許可 are set at up to 28 hours per week as a general rule. The roughly 20 hours per week that the enquirer hopes for fits within this range.

People with 在留資格「留学」 (Student) have a relaxed rule that allows up to 8 hours in 1 day, but only during long vacation periods. That applies only to people on 「留学」, and it does not apply to 家族滞在. Please note that during the summer holidays and similar periods, the limit of up to 28 hours per week does not change.

Jobs you cannot take

Even with 資格外活動許可, you cannot take jobs connected with 風俗営業等.

Put the other way round, the only work excluded by this blanket permission is work connected with 風俗営業等, and there is no restriction by industry or job type. Work often called unskilled labour, such as waiting tables in a restaurant, factory work, or working at a convenience store, is also open to you as long as it is up to 28 hours per week.

If you work for more than one employer, your total working hours must also be up to 28 hours per week.

How do you obtain the permission?

Gather the documents and apply at the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) that covers where you live.

How long screening takes depends on how busy the office is, but permission is usually granted in a few days to about 2 weeks.

Is there anything to watch out for?

Working without permission, and working beyond the scope of the permission, are both 不法就労 (illegal work).

If you keep to the limit of up to 28 hours per week and work within the permitted range, there is no problem. If you are thinking of working full-time in future, please also read Can I move from 家族滞在 to a work visa and become a permanent employee?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do part-time work on 在留資格「家族滞在」?

Not as things stand. Work is not allowed in principle, so you need to obtain 資格外活動許可 from the 地方出入国在留管理局.

How many hours can I work once I have 資格外活動許可?

Up to 28 hours per week as a general rule. If you work for more than one employer, your total working hours must also stay within this range. The relaxed rule for long vacation periods that applies to people on 「留学」, which allows up to 8 hours in 1 day, does not apply to 家族滞在.

How long does screening for 資格外活動許可 take?

It depends on how busy the office is, but permission is usually granted in a few days to about 2 weeks.

What happens if I work without permission?

It is 不法就労, and you may be punished. The same applies if you work beyond the permitted range. Please keep to the limit of up to 28 hours per week, and to the rule that you cannot take jobs connected with 風俗営業等.

Related Articles

Free consultation

Tell us your situation and we will answer it directly. Available in Japanese and English.

Get a free consultation

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.