Hello. I am considering a new job. But they want me to work as 個人事業主. Can I still get a visa as a 個人事業主? I’m worried that I won’t be able to change my residence status with this company because I guess I won’t be an “employee” there..?? I’m so confused, if someone could please give me some advice I’d really appreciate it
6 comments
Would help a lot to know your current status.
If you are PR, LTR or spouse of national, yes you can be that and doesnt affect your immigration situation.
If your status is dependant (family visa), student, designated activities, student or work visa, you can be 個人事業主 if you request permition to engage in activities other than yoir SOR, and as long it doesnt affecg your original status (ie. you keep studying or you keep your main job).
If you are talking of being solely 個人事業主, it will be very difficult. You will need a business visa instead and establish a company (so not so 個人 anymore…).
there is no specific SOR for a “freelancer”, you coild get a designated activities, business or humanities, but you will need to proove firm contracts with japanese companies.
if thats the case, you better get a contract full time job (業務委託契約) and go the humanities visa route. you dont need to be 個人事業主 for that, but still will need to handle taxes and social security for yourself
Just to add to what has already been said, if you are a sole proprietor, your contractual relationship with the company is purely B2B and not governed by employment law. They can terminate you anytime with whatever notice period is stated in your contract and your contract will be fixed term to begin with. Also, you’ll have to pay social insurance 100% yourself instead of having the company cover 50% of the burden.
Depends.
I work as 個人事業主 since 2015, but I’m on Long-Term visa so there’s that… What kind of visa do you currently posses?
Of course they do, you aren’t covered by labor laws if you agree to work as a 個人事業主
Besides not being covered by labor laws, you’re on your own for health insurance/NHI, and pension (which will only be national, and not the kosei, which is a little better, IMO). No severance/退職金 when you leave. No bonuses as a regular employee would get.
Also, there are some details about working conditions that bear on whether you’re a contractor or an employee–some companies use contractor status to skirt the above items, but then still treat you as tho you were an employee. This is a no-no here.