Side Income in Japan as a Foreigner (2025): Legal Ways to Earn Extra Money
Many foreigners in Japan want to earn extra income beyond their main job. Whether this is legal depends on your visa type — and how you structure the work. First: Check Your Visa This is critical. Working outside your visa’s permitted activities can lead to deportation or visa revocation. Visa Type Side Work Allowed? Work visa (Engineer, Humanities, etc.) Only with 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Activities Outside Status) Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) ✅ Side work permitted without special permission Spouse visa / Dependent visa ✅ Work permitted (may need 資格外活動許可) Permanent Residency ✅ Fully unrestricted Student visa 28 hrs/week max with 資格外活動許可 Working Holiday ✅ Generally unrestricted How to Get 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Outside Activities) Apply at your local immigration office or online via the Immigration Bureau portal. Usually processed in 2–4 weeks. Allows up to 28 hours/week of side work. ...