2025-05-30

Engineer visa is the most common visa status for foreigners working in Japan. Can foreigners with this visa have other side or part-time jobs? We will explain this point in detail.

What is a “Engineer Visa”?

Engineer Visa” is an abbreviation for ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services’ status of residence. Approximately 90% of foreign nationals working for companies in Japan fall under this visa category. Therefore, it is the most common work visa status.

The status of residence “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services” was previously divided into the status of residence “Engineer” and the status of residence “Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services". In other words, it was divided into two categories, one for science-related status of residence and the other for humanities-related status of residence.

However, as business became more complex, it became difficult to divide them into science and humanities, so the law was amended to change the status of residence to “Technical, Humanities, or International Services”.

Is it possible to have a side job?

By the way, is it possible for a foreigner with the status of residence of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services” and working for a company in Japan to have a side job or part-time job in addition to his/her main job?

As a conclusion, yes. However, if you wish to work outside of your main job, you must apply to the Immigration and Residence Office for “Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence” and be granted permission.

So, what kind of work constitutes a side job, or “activity other than that permitted under the status of residence”? It is when you work in a job other than that permitted under your status of residence. For example, if a foreigner with the status of residence of “Engineer” works for a company as a mechanical engineer, he/she does not need to obtain permission to engage in “activities other than that permitted under the status of residence” even if he/she works as a mechanical engineer in a job other than his/her main job.

However, if a foreigner with the status of residence of “Engineer” wishes to work in a completely different field, for example, as an interpreter, he/she must obtain a “Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence”. However, if the interpreter works as a volunteer and receives no remuneration, he/she does not need to obtain a “Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence”.

Cautions when doing side work

If you perform work other than your main job and it requires a “Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence”, you will be considered to be working illegally and subject to penalties, regardless of whether you were aware of this or not.

If this happens, there is a possibility that you will be deported from Japan. If you are deported, not only will you have to leave Japan, but you will not be allowed to re-enter Japan for five years, even if it is your first offense.

In addition, some Japanese companies prohibit side jobs in the first place. In particular, many companies do not allow side jobs in the same industry, as it can lead to information leakage.

Even those companies that do allow side hustles, some stipulate that they must be reported to the company in advance. Therefore, it is necessary to check the company’s regulations when engaging in side jobs.

Summary

If a foreigner with a Engineer visa wishes to engage in work other than his/her main job that is not permitted by his/her visa, he/she must obtain permission to engage in “activities other than that permitted under the status of residence. In addition, there are cases where the company itself does not allow side jobs, so you need to be very careful.