Can You Have a Side Job on an Engineer Visa? | Rules for Multiple Employment

With side jobs becoming more common in Japan, Engineer visa holders also have similar needs. However, there are specific rules under the residence status system.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted”

Basic Rules

No Permission Needed

If the side work falls within Engineer visa activities:

Case	Permission	Reason
Engineer work at another company	Not needed	Within Engineer visa scope
Freelance Engineer-level work	Not needed	Same scope
Translation/interpretation for another company	Not needed	Engineer visa work

Permission Required

If the side work falls outside Engineer visa activities:

Case	Permission	Reason
Convenience store / restaurant part-time	Required	Not Engineer visa work
Delivery services (Uber Eats, etc.)	Required	Simple labor
Language school teaching	Required	”Instructor” visa category work

Prohibited Side Work

Type	Reason
Factory line work	Simple labor
Construction site labor	Outside Engineer visa scope
Adult entertainment industry	Legally prohibited

Key Considerations

Check your employer’s rules — many prohibit side work
File notifications within 14 days for new contracts
Side income over ¥200,000/year requires tax filing
If freelance income exceeds main job, a status change may be needed

Our Support

For side job inquiries and visa procedures, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.

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Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
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Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)