# Freelancing and side jobs on a Japanese visa: what's allowed

URL: https://japanhow.com/visa/visas/freelance-side-job-visa-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Japan has no freelance visa. Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese or permanent residents and Long-Term Residents can freelance freely. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities holders can work on contracts with several clients if the work fits their status and the contracts are continuous. Work outside your status needs free permission from immigration (資格外活動許可), and your main employer must agree. Students and dependents get 28 hours a week. Running a company needs Business Manager status. Side income over ¥200,000 means filing a tax return.

## Key facts

- Freelance visa: No such status in Japan
- No work limits: PR, spouse, Long-Term Resident
- Permission fee: Free, 2 weeks to 2 months
- Tax return trigger: Side income over ¥200,000

There is no freelance visa in Japan: no status of residence lets you come just to freelance. As of October 2026, **Permanent Residents, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, and Long-Term Residents can freelance with no limits**. On **Engineer/Specialist in Humanities**, you can work on continuous contracts with several clients if the work fits your status. Anything outside your status needs **permission to engage in activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可)** from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) before you start.

**Informational only:** This page summarizes ISA's and the National Tax Agency's published rules. It is not advice on your case. For your own situation, ask your regional immigration office or the ISA information center (0570-013904), or a certified administrative scrivener (行政書士). For tax, ask the tax office or a tax accountant (税理士).

## Is there a freelance visa in Japan?

No. Japan's statuses of residence come in two groups, set out in the tables of the Immigration Act.

- **Table 1 statuses** are for a set activity, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities (技術・人文知識・国際業務), Student (留学) or Dependent (家族滞在). You can only earn money from that activity, unless ISA gives you extra permission.
- **Table 2 statuses** are based on your position, such as Permanent Resident (永住者), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等) and Long-Term Resident (定住者). ISA says these have **no limit on work** and don't need permission.

So "freelance visa Japan requirements" really means: does your current status allow the work you want to do?

| Your status | Freelance or side job | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident, spouse of Japanese or PR, Long-Term Resident | Any legal work | Nothing from ISA |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities | Work that fits the status, on continuous contracts | Notify ISA of contract changes |
| Any work status, work outside it | Only with permission | Individual permission, employer's consent |
| Student, Dependent | Up to 28 hours a week | Comprehensive or individual permission |
| Running a company with staff or an office | Not on the statuses above (except Table 2) | Business Manager status |

If you're on a Table 2 status, see the [spouse visa](/visa/visas/spouse-visa-japan/), [Long-Term Resident](/visa/visas/long-term-resident-visa-japan/) and [permanent residency](/visa/residency/permanent-residency-japan-requirements/) guides.

## Can you be self-employed on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?

Yes, within limits. The status requires a **contract with a public or private organization in Japan**. ISA's Q&A says this contract is **not limited to employment**: delegation (委任), outsourcing (委託) and commission (嘱託) contracts also count.

There are two conditions:

- **The work must fit the status.** It must need specialist knowledge in science, engineering or the humanities, or be international work such as translation. See the [Engineer/Specialist in Humanities guide](/visa/visas/engineer-humanities-visa-japan/).
- **The contracts must be continuous.** ISA says your activity must be expected to continue, so contracts must be ongoing ones with specific organizations. **Several organizations are fine.**

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities holders must notify ISA **within 14 days** when a contract with a contracting organization (契約機関) ends or a new one is signed. You can do it online at any time, with no documents. ISA's page doesn't say how this applies to each freelance client, so ask your regional immigration office.

## Can you have a side job on a work visa?

**Within your status: yes.** ISA says a person on a work status can do work that fits that status. If you're unsure, a certificate of authorized employment (就労資格証明書) confirms which work you can do.

**Outside your status: only with permission.** Article 19 of the Immigration Act bans earning money outside your status without permission. ISA can grant permission to engage in activity other than that permitted for work that doesn't get in the way of your main activity.

For work-visa holders this is normally **individual permission (個別許可)**: it names the organization and the work. ISA's general requirements include:

- the side work doesn't hinder your main job, and you are actually doing your main job
- the side work falls under one of the Table 1 work statuses (but not Specified Skilled Worker or Technical Intern Training)
- it isn't illegal and isn't at an adult-entertainment or sex-related business
- you are not of bad conduct
- **your main employer consents** to the side work

The Immigration Act excludes a few things from "pay": for example, a fee for a lecture you don't give as a business, or an occasional reward that comes with daily life.

**Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted:** Free (Standard processing 2 weeks to 2 months. Apply at the regional immigration office for your address, weekdays 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. Online only together with a renewal or change of status.)

There is no appeal if you are refused. ISA can also revoke the permission if you break its conditions.

## What about students and dependents?

Students and dependents can get **comprehensive permission (包括許可)** for up to **28 hours a week**, without naming an employer. Students can work 8 hours a day during their school's long holidays.

For freelance work, the rule depends on whether your hours can be checked:

- **Hours can be checked objectively**, such as delivery work paid per job with tracked hours: comprehensive permission is enough.
- **Hours can't be checked**, such as sole-proprietor work or outsourcing contracts with no standard hours: you need **individual permission**. You submit a plan for the business (or the contract details) with the application.

ISA says this covers running a **relatively small business alone**. Setting up a company, hiring employees or opening an office needs a change to Business Manager. On Dependent, individual permission also requires that the side activity doesn't last more than half of your period of stay. See [student visa work hours](/visa/visas/student-visa-work-permit-japan/) and the [dependent visa guide](/visa/visas/dependent-visa-japan/).

## When do you need a Business Manager visa?

If you want to run your own company, hire staff or have an office, the status is **Business Manager (経営・管理)**. Since **October 16, 2025**, ISA requires **¥30 million** invested (for a sole proprietor, the total put into the business), **at least 1 full-time employee** who is Japanese, a special permanent resident or on a Table 2 status, B2-level Japanese from you or a full-time employee, and an office that is not, in principle, your home. Read the [Business Manager visa guide](/visa/visas/business-manager-visa-japan/) for the full rules and the transition to October 16, 2028.

To change from your current status, see [change of status of residence](/visa/visas/change-of-status-of-residence-japan/).

## What are the risks of working without permission?

**Unauthorized work is a crime:** Under Article 73 of the Immigration Act, earning money outside your status without permission can be punished by **up to 1 year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥2 million, or both**. If unauthorized work is clearly your main activity, Article 70 allows up to 3 years or ¥3 million. A business that makes a foreigner work illegally faces up to 3 years or ¥3 million (rising to 5 years or ¥5 million from April 1, 2027).

Other risks:

- **Refused permission later.** Good conduct is one of ISA's requirements for permission.
- **Losing the permission.** ISA can revoke it if you break its conditions, such as the 28-hour limit.

## What tax steps follow freelance or side income?

Immigration and tax are separate. Even legal side work has tax duties, and your visa type doesn't change them.

- **Tax return.** If you have one employer and your income other than salary (after expenses) is **over ¥200,000** in the year, you must file a final tax return (確定申告). See the [tax return guide](/money/tax/tax-return-japan-foreigners/).
- **Business start notice (開業届).** If you start a business that produces business income (事業所得), submit the notice of opening a sole proprietorship (個人事業の開業・廃業等届出書) to your tax office. As of October 2026, the National Tax Agency's page says it is due **by the tax return deadline for the year you started**. Older guides say 1 month; we follow the NTA page. You can file on e-Tax or on paper.
- **Blue return (青色申告).** To file blue returns, apply by **March 15** of that year, or **within 2 months** of starting if you start on or after January 16.

For your own tax position, ask the tax office or a tax accountant (税理士).

More guides: [quitting a job on a work visa](/work/jobs/quitting-job-japan-visa/), [take-home pay in Japan](/money/tax/take-home-pay-japan/), [national health insurance](/money/insurance/national-health-insurance-japan-foreigners/).

## Questions people ask

### Is there a freelance visa in Japan?

No. Japan has no status of residence called a freelance visa. You can freelance on a status without work limits, such as Permanent Resident or Spouse of Japanese National, or on Engineer/Specialist in Humanities if you have continuous contracts with clients in Japan for work that fits that status.

### Can I have a side job on a work visa in Japan?

Yes, if the side job is the same kind of work your status covers. For other work, you need permission to engage in activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可) before you start. It is free, and your main employer must agree to the side work.

### Can I be self-employed in Japan on a work visa?

On Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, ISA says your contracts can be delegation or outsourcing contracts, not only employment, if they are continuous contracts with specific organizations. Several clients are fine. Setting up a company, hiring staff or opening an office needs Business Manager status.

### How many hours can I work on a dependent or student visa?

Up to 28 hours a week with comprehensive permission. Freelance work where your hours can't be checked objectively needs individual permission instead.

### Do I need to file a tax return for side income in Japan?

If you have one employer and your other income is over ¥200,000 in the year, you must file. If you start a business, you also submit a business start notice (開業届) to the tax office.

## Sources

- [資格外活動の許可（入管法第19条）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/shikakugai_00001.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [資格外活動許可申請 (Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-8.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [出入国審査・在留審査Q&A](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/faq/kanri_qa.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [「家族滞在」の在留資格に係る資格外活動許可について](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00004.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [「留学」の在留資格に係る資格外活動許可について](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00003.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [所属（契約）機関に関する届出](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00015.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [在留資格「経営・管理」に係る上陸基準省令等の改正について](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/10_00237.html), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [出入国管理及び難民認定法 (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319), e-Gov (Digital Agency) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [個人事業の開業届出・廃業届出等手続](https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/tetsuzuki/shinsei/annai/shinkoku/annai/04.htm), National Tax Agency (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [所得税の青色申告承認申請手続](https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/tetsuzuki/shinsei/annai/shinkoku/annai/09.htm), National Tax Agency (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [No.1900 給与所得者で確定申告が必要な人](https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/taxanswer/shotoku/1900.htm), National Tax Agency (accessed Oct 24, 2026)