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）
You can make the application, but whether it is approved depends on the content of the work. At present it is very difficult for work such as cleaning to fall within a status of residence that permits work. The 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan) tends to screen strictly where the work is one for which there are thought to be enough people already in Japan.
A person residing on 家族滞在 who has received an offer of employment as a permanent employee.
With 資格外活動許可 you may work up to 28 hours per week.
家族滞在 does not in principle allow you to work. However, if you obtain 資格外活動許可 (Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted), you may work up to 28 hours per week. To work as a permanent employee, you need to change to a status of residence that permits work.
Work that requires specialised or technical knowledge. Cleaning work is difficult at present.
Cleaning work is generally considered unlikely to fall within 在留資格「技能」 (Skilled Labor). 技能 covers work that requires a particular practised skill, such as cooking, foreign cuisine, or sports coaching.
Even cleaning work may fall within another status of residence if it involves advanced specialised knowledge or an unusual technique. But for ordinary cleaning work, it will be difficult to fall within a status of residence that permits work.
The first thing to do is to check in detail what work the employer wants to give you. The key is whether the company can explain clearly, in terms of how specialised or unusual the work is, why it needs to employ a foreign national for that work.
The content of the work, the employer's situation, your own qualifications and experience, and your Japanese ability.
Documents are needed from you, from the employer, and from the person supporting you. Screening takes roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.
You may be asked for a copy of their 在留カード and documents proving their income, as background material for the screening.
How long screening takes depends on the contents of the application and on how busy the office is, but it is generally roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.
You can work within the scope of 資格外活動許可, or go home once and apply again from there.
Where the work is ordinary cleaning work, the change is likely to be very difficult. In that case, the options to consider are staying on 家族滞在, obtaining 資格外活動許可 and working up to 28 hours per week, or returning to your home country and applying again there for a status of residence that permits work.
Please first check the content of the work in detail with the employer, and then get in touch with us early.
If you obtain 資格外活動許可, you may work up to 28 hours per week. To work as a permanent employee, you need to change to a status of residence that permits work.
For ordinary cleaning work it is very difficult at present. The 出入国在留管理庁 tends to screen strictly where the work is one for which there are thought to be enough people already in Japan.
Generally roughly 1 month and a half to 3 months.
You can stay on 家族滞在 and work within the scope of 資格外活動許可, or return to your home country and apply again from there.
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Get a free consultationThis 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.