Business Manager Visa Japan: Part-time work rules & penalties

Is part-time work allowed under a Business Manager Visa in Japan?
The answer is: generally, no. This visa is intended for individuals engaged in business management or administrative duties in Japan. However, there are some exceptional cases where permission may be granted.

Key points of this article are as follows:

This article explains in detail why part-time work is generally not allowed under a Business Manager Visa, the exceptional cases where it may be permitted, and the penalties for working without permission.

1.What is a Business Manager Visa Japan?

The Business Manager Visa is a residence status in Japan for individuals engaged in business management or administrative operations. Foreign nationals who plan to start a business in Japan or manage an existing company must obtain this visa.

This section explains the scope of activities permitted under the Business Manager Visa and the requirements for obtaining it.

1-1. Main Activities Permitted Under a Business Manager Visa Japan

The Business Manager Visa is a residence status granted to foreign nationals who engage in the “management” or “administration” of a business in Japan. This visa allows individuals to start and be directly involved in running a business.

Specifically, “management” refers to roles such as a representative director or executive who makes key business decisions and executes operations. “Administration” involves positions like branch manager, factory manager, or department head, where the individual oversees departments and supervises staff.

However, engaging in income-generating activities unrelated to the business—such as part-time jobs—is considered unauthorized work and is illegal. Therefore, visa holders must focus solely on business management or administrative duties.

1-2. Requirements for Obtaining a Business Manager Visa Japan

The requirements for obtaining a Business Manager Visa differ depending on whether a foreign national is starting a new business in Japan or managing an existing company. The specific requirements for each case are as follows:

1.When a foreign national is starting a new business in Japan:

• Securing a physical office in Japan
• Employing at least two full-time staff members or having a capital of at least ¥5 million
• The business must demonstrate appropriateness, stability, and continuity
• The applicant must be personally involved in managing the business

2.When working as a manager at an existing company:

• At least three years of practical experience in business management or administration (including time spent studying relevant subjects in graduate school)
• Receiving compensation equal to or higher than that of a Japanese national in a similar role
• The applicant must be personally involved in managing the business

For detailed requirements and the application process for the Business Manager Visa.

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2.Can You Work a Part-Time Job or Side Business with a Business Manager Visa Japan?

Under a Business Manager Visa, part-time jobs and side businesses are generally not allowed. Even if you apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” (Note 1), it is unlikely that you will be granted permission for manual labor or simple on-site part-time work.

There has been a rare exception where the owner of a business consulting company was permitted to work as a visiting professor at a specific university. However, such cases are extremely uncommon.

Note 1: This permission is required when engaging in profit-generating activities or operating a business not covered by your current visa status.

2-1. Why Part-Time Jobs and Side Businesses Are Not Allowed Under a Business Manager Visa Japan

The reason why part-time jobs involving manual labor or on-site work are not permitted under a Business Manager Visa is because this visa is specifically intended for engaging in business management or administrative duties. Part-time work is considered a completely different type of activity and does not align with the purpose of the visa.

Some may think that, like student or dependent visa holders, it might be possible to apply for permission to engage in activities outside the visa’s scope. However, in the case of the Business Manager Visa, such permission is rarely granted for manual labor or on-site work due to the visa’s intended purpose.

2-2. Penalties for Working Part-Time Without Permission

Working part-time without permission under a Business Manager Visa carries serious penalties.

According to Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, engaging in unauthorized activities outside the scope of your visa may result in “up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥2 million, or both” (Article 73).

Furthermore, if it is determined that the part-time work was your “primary activity” and this is “clearly evident,” the penalties become more severe. In such cases, the law stipulates “up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥3 million, or both” (Article 70, Paragraph 1, Item 4).

As such, engaging in unauthorized part-time work under a Business Manager Visa poses significant risks and should be strictly avoided.

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3.Cases Where Part-Time or Side Work May Be Allowed Under a Business Manager Visa Japan

Part-time or side work is generally not permitted under a Business Manager Visa, but there are rare exceptions. These include the following cases:

【Exceptional Case Approved Under a Business Manager Visa】
There has been a case where the owner of a business consulting company was permitted to work as a visiting professor at a specific university. However, such cases are extremely rare.

【Transition from a Work Visa】

There are cases where individuals working under a visa such as the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa start a side business and later switch to a Business Manager Visa. In such cases, the following points should be carefully considered:

• Check your current employer’s policy on side businesses
• Obtain permission for “business management” as an activity outside the scope of your current visa

【Utilizing the Highly Skilled Professional Visa】

Holders of the Highly Skilled Professional Visa are legally permitted to engage in side business management related to their visa category. However, the following conditions apply:

• The company management must be a side activity, not the primary one
• The business must be related to the holder’s visa category

When considering a side business, it is important to consult a professional in advance to ensure there are no legal issues.

4.Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Visa Status Is Required for Other Work

When a foreign national wishes to engage in activities outside their visa status, such as part-time work, they must obtain a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted.” This permission is required when earning income from work not covered by their current residence status and is primarily intended for international students and those with work visas.

There are two types of permission: “general permission” and “individual permission.” For Business Manager Visa holders, individual permission is typically required. Below, we explain the requirements and application process in detail.

4-1. Requirements for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted is required when earning income from work not included in one’s current residence status. Those with unrestricted work statuses, such as “Permanent Resident” or “Long-Term Resident,” are not subject to this requirement.

This section explains the two types of permission: “General Permission” and “Individual Permission.”

4-1-1. General Permission

General Permission allows foreign nationals to engage in activities outside their visa scope without being restricted to a specific workplace or job type. For example, international students with this permission can change part-time jobs without needing to reapply. However, General Permission is only available to those with certain residence statuses, such as “Student,” “Dependent,” or “Designated Activities” (for job-hunting after graduation).

While it is technically possible to apply for General Permission under a Business Manager Visa, such applications are rarely approved. Therefore, Business Manager Visa holders typically need to apply for Individual Permission to engage in any outside activities.

Additionally, there are time restrictions under General Permission. For students, work is generally limited to 28 hours per week, with an extension to up to 8 hours per day during long school breaks like summer vacation. Exceeding these limits is considered unauthorized employment and can lead to penalties.

4-1-2. Individual Permission

Individual Permission is granted after a case-by-case review of conditions such as the employer and job type, and only if all general requirements for engaging in activities outside the scope of the visa are met.

This type of permission is necessary when the intended activity falls outside the scope of General Permission or involves a type of employment different from the current residence status.

However, if the activity is deemed to interfere with the purpose of the current visa, the application will be denied. Additionally, a new application must be submitted each time the activity changes. For example, a foreign national with a “Professor” visa who wishes to work part-time as a language instructor at a private company would need to apply for Individual Permission.

In the case of a Business Manager Visa, there may be a possibility of receiving Individual Permission if the part-time activity is closely related to the main business and carried out under a formal contract with a specific institution.

4-2. How to Apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Visa Status

The application for Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Visa Status is generally submitted by the applicant themselves, but it can also be handled by a legal representative, a staff member of the affiliated institution, or an administrative scrivener.

Applications must be submitted to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. There is no application fee.

Required documents include the “Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” an employment contract, residence card, and passport.

The screening process typically takes between two weeks and two months, so it is important to prepare early. The permission is valid until the expiration date of the current residence status, but a new application must be submitted when renewing the visa.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan | About Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

5.Conclusion

This article explained whether part-time work is allowed under a Business Manager Visa. The key points are summarized as follows:

The Business Manager Visa is intended for managing or operating a business in Japan, and as a general rule, part-time jobs or side work are not permitted. Even if you apply for permission to engage in activities outside the scope of your visa, approval is rarely granted.

Working without permission can result in severe penalties, so caution is essential.

However, there are rare exceptions where permission may be granted under specific conditions, such as a business consultant being allowed to work as a visiting professor at a university.

If you are considering part-time work, it is important to consult a professional in advance to avoid legal risks.

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