■ Introduction

On March 6, 2026, during a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Minister Kimi Onoda stated that, from 2027, the government plans to tighten investigations and screening of activities outside the permitted scope for international students by using income information linked to the My Number system.

This policy represents a critical turning point for international students residing in Japan, as well as for business owners and HR managers who employ international students. In this article, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the policy’s background, specific details, and recommended response strategies from the perspective of an immigration administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) specializing in visa and residence status applications.

■ What is “Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under the Status of Residence”? A Review of Basic Rules

Overview of the Permission System

International students in Japan hold the “Student” residence status, which is intended for “activities to receive education at universities, colleges of technology, high schools, and other educational institutions in Japan.” In principle, employment activities are not permitted under this status.

However, to help cover tuition and living expenses, students are allowed to work part-time under certain conditions. This is made possible through the “Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under the Status of Residence” system.

Details of the 28-Hour-Per-Week Rule

International students who obtain this permission may, in principle, work up to 28 hours per week during academic terms and up to 8 hours per day during officially designated long vacation periods. Employment in businesses related to the sex industry is strictly prohibited.

The “28 hours per week” limit is set with the principle of “not interfering with academic studies.” The original purpose of the Student visa is “to receive education,” and employment is considered secondary.

Important Note: Combined Total Across All Employers

The 28-hour limit applies to the combined total across all part-time jobs, not to each employer separately. This is a critical point that both students and employers must understand.

■ Current Challenges: The Reality of Exceeding the 28-Hour Limit

The Problem of Working Multiple Part-Time Jobs

In recent years, an increasing number of international students have been working at multiple part-time jobs, resulting in a combined total that significantly exceeds the 28-hour weekly limit.

For example:

  • Convenience store A: 15 hours per week
  • Restaurant B: 20 hours per week
  • Total: 35 hours (7 hours over the limit)

Even if each individual workplace keeps the student under 28 hours, the combined total violates the regulation. Under the previous management system, it has been difficult to accurately track actual working hours across multiple employers.

Why Do Students Exceed the Limit?

Several factors contribute to students working beyond the 28-hour limit:

  1. High Tuition Costs: Tuition fees at Japanese universities and vocational schools represent a significant financial burden for international students.
  2. Rising Cost of Living: Recent increases in prices, particularly for food and utilities, have directly impacted students’ finances.
  3. Impact of the Weak Yen: Remittances from home countries have decreased in real value due to exchange rate fluctuations.
  4. Lack of Awareness: Some students do not understand that working hours from all part-time jobs must be combined.
  5. Insufficient Management by Employers: Some employers are unaware of how many hours their international student employees are working at other jobs.

■ Minister Onoda’s Announcement: The New System Starting in 2027

Cross-Referencing Income Information Using My Number-Linked Data

Minister Kimi Onoda stated during the Budget Committee session:

“Starting in 2027, we will utilize income information based on My Number information coordination to conduct strict investigations and examinations regarding activities outside the permitted scope.”

This means that the Immigration Services Agency of Japan will be able to access income information linked to students’ My Number, combine income from multiple part-time jobs, and estimate or verify actual working hours.

Enhanced Cooperation with Educational Institutions

The new system will also implement the following measures in parallel:

  • Understanding the actual situation of students engaging in activities at multiple workplaces
  • Implementing guidance in cooperation with educational institutions (universities, vocational schools, etc.)
  • Conducting individual investigations of students suspected of violations

Reflection in Residence Status Examinations

If a violation is confirmed, the following measures may be taken:

  • Denial of application for extension of period of stay
  • Denial of application for change of residence status
  • In serious cases, a student may face revocation of status of residence or other adverse immigration consequences

■ Key Points for Employers: Compliance in Hiring International Students

Essential Verification When Hiring

When hiring an international student for part-time work, employers should verify the residence card, confirm that permission for activities outside the status of residence has been granted, and ensure that the student’s total working hours do not exceed the permitted limit.

Specific verification items include:

  1. Residence Card Verification
  • Confirm that the residence status is “Student”
  • Verify that the period of stay is valid
  • Check for the “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” stamp on the back of the card
  1. Other Part-Time Jobs and Working Hours
  • Ask whether the student has other part-time jobs
  • Confirm the weekly working hours at other workplaces
  • Verify that the combined total does not exceed 28 hours per week
  1. Strict Shift Management
  • Manage working hours on a weekly basis
  • Confirm special treatment during long vacation periods

Risks for Employers

If an employer overlooks a student’s violation of work hour restrictions, the following risks may arise:

  • Criminal liability for facilitating unauthorized employment (Immigration Control Act, Article 73-2)
  • Up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen
  • Damage to corporate reputation
  • Negative impact on future foreign employment examinations

Recommended Actions

  1. Include a clause in the employment contract requiring the student to regularly report their work status at other part-time jobs
  2. Verify work status at other jobs on a monthly or quarterly basis
  3. Assign a dedicated staff member for foreign employee management
  4. Conduct regular training sessions with specialists such as immigration administrative scriveners

■ What International Students Need to Know: Protecting Your Residence Status

Risks of Exceeding 28 Hours Per Week

Working more than 28 hours per week carries the following risks:

  1. Denial of Extension of Period of Stay
    Your Student visa may not be renewed, potentially forcing you to return home.
  2. Denial of Change to Work Visa
    Even if you wish to work in Japan after graduation, your application to change to a work visa may be denied.
  3. Revocation of Residence Status
    In serious cases, your residence status itself may be revoked.

If You Have Already Exceeded the Limit

If you have already been working more than 28 hours per week, we recommend the following actions:

  1. Immediately Adjust Your Working Hours
    Reduce your shifts at one of your part-time jobs or quit one job.
  2. Consult a Specialist
    Consult with a visa specialist such as an immigration administrative scrivener to discuss future strategies.
  3. Consult Your Educational Institution
    Speak with the international student support office at your university or vocational school.

Working Properly

To live appropriately in Japan as an international student:

  • If you have multiple part-time jobs, always track your combined hours
  • Leave a buffer under 28 hours (for example, limit yourself to 25 hours per week)
  • Also observe the limit during long vacation periods (8 hours per day maximum)
  • Regularly record and verify your working hours

■ When You Should Consider Switching to a Work Visa

When “Working” Has Become Your Primary Purpose

If any of the following situations apply to you, you should consider switching from a Student visa to a work visa:

  • You spend more time on part-time work than on your studies
  • Your class attendance rate is low
  • You want to work in Japan after graduation
  • You are essentially staying in Japan “to work”

Types of Work-Eligible Residence Statuses

Main work visas that can be switched from a Student visa:

  1. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
    Work that utilizes knowledge gained at university or similar (engineer, interpreter, trade operations, etc.)
  2. Specified Skilled Worker
    For foreigners with skills in specific industries (nursing care, food service, manufacturing, etc.)
  3. Skilled Labor
    Work requiring special skills (chef, sports instructor, etc.)

■ How Will Residence Status Examinations Change After 2027?

Objective Examinations Based on Data

While previous residence status examinations were primarily based on application documents and interviews, from 2027 onward:

  • Income information linked to My Number
  • Withholding tax data from multiple employers
  • Estimation of actual working hours

Examinations will be conducted based on such objective data.

Violations Will Become Easier to Detect

Previously, even if students worked multiple part-time jobs, since each workplace managed individually, it was difficult to detect combined hour violations.

However, under the new management system utilizing the My Number system, income information will be tracked centrally. Assumptions that violations will go unnoticed are no longer realistic, and it will become much harder to assume that excess hours will go undetected.

Early Action is Essential

Before the system begins in 2027, it is important to take the following actions:

  • Verify whether your current working hours are appropriate
  • If you are exceeding the limit, correct it immediately
  • If switching to a work visa is necessary, prepare systematically

■ Support Immigration Administrative Scriveners Can Provide

Immigration administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi) specializing in visa and residence status applications offer the following support services:

Consultation on Residence Status

  • Verification of current residence situation
  • Compliance check regarding activities outside permitted scope
  • Advice on future residence plans

Support for Extension and Change of Residence Status Applications

  • Assistance with preparing required documents
  • Proxy preparation of application documents
  • Proxy application to the Immigration Services Agency

Support for Switching to Work Visa

  • Selection of appropriate work-eligible residence status
  • Coordination with employing companies
  • Preparation and submission of application documents

Corporate Consulting

  • Compliance training on foreign employment
  • Support for building employment management systems
  • Response support when problems arise

■ Conclusion: Following the Rules Protects Your Future

The stricter enforcement of regulations regarding international students’ part-time work activities, planned to begin in 2027, is not intended to exclude international students from Japan.

The purposes of this system are:

  • To appropriately distinguish between “those who come to study” and “those who come to work”
  • To preserve the original purpose of the Student visa (education)
  • To ensure people stay in Japan with the appropriate residence status

For international students, life in Japan can be challenging both financially and emotionally. However, following residence status regulations will ultimately protect your future career and life in Japan.

For employers, when hiring international students as valuable human resources, it is essential to establish appropriate management systems and ensure strict compliance.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to consult with an immigration administrative scrivener who specializes in visas and residence status. We are committed to supporting you fully so that you can study and work in Japan with peace of mind.

Reference Article: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d2198bdefd72c8b3b263cd0a4ba01d35fa9f91ae

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