I am currently employed at a Japanese company, holding the Engineer/Humanities visa. I want to take a remote job based outside of Japan and quit my current job. I know I need to be working for a Japanese company to maintain my visa, so there are a few questions I have.
Is working only part-time here sufficient to maintain the visa?
If so, is there a minimum working hour requirement?
When it comes time to renew, what kind of problems should I expect to face?
Anything else I should know?
5 comments
You’re not allowed to work for foreign companies on that residency status without additional permission from immigration.
Edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanFinance/comments/tbgtrg/comment/i076rw6/?context=3
Part time is insufficient. It must be full time with enough hours to regularly contribute to social insurance and pay taxes regularly.
You are allowed some down time when in between jobs, but if you make no effort to find another full time employment after quitting your first job, you may not be able to renew your SOR again.
Working remotely for a foreign company isn’t permitted under the Engineer/Humanities SOR so that will not be considered for renewal.
No, part-time jobs are not eligible to maintain your residence status. Your main job has to be a company based in Japan.
The other posters are not entirely correct. During your visa period it is perfectly okay to work part time in jobs under your visa category. When you renew is when they start scrutinizing things a lot more. But still, there is no legally set amount of hours for maintaining or renewing a status, and at renewal they just want to see that you are working an okay amount of hours and are able to support yourself. However, you absolutely can not work for any overseas company as far as I know.
It’s important to note that immigration laws can vary and change over time, and there may be specific requirements for your particular visa category or situation. It’s always best to consult with a qualified immigration lawyer or the Japanese immigration authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
That being said, here are some answers to your questions:
* Generally, working only part-time may not be sufficient to maintain your visa, as there may be a minimum working hour requirement that you need to meet to be considered “employed” under your visa status. However, this can vary depending on your visa category and the terms of your employment contract. It’s best to check with the Japanese immigration authorities or a qualified immigration lawyer to confirm the requirements for your specific situation.
* When it comes time to renew your visa, you may need to provide documentation to prove that you have been employed and meeting the requirements of your visa category. This can include things like pay stubs, tax documents, and a letter from your employer confirming your employment status and hours worked. If you are no longer working for a Japanese company, you may need to provide additional documentation to demonstrate that you have a valid reason for staying in Japan and that you will be able to support yourself financially.
* Depending on the specific circumstances, there may be other issues or complications that arise when you try to renew your visa or switch to a different visa category. For example, if you are changing jobs or switching to a different type of visa, you may need to go through a new application process and meet different requirements. It’s important to carefully research your options and consult with a qualified immigration lawyer or the Japanese immigration authorities to ensure that you understand the process and any potential issues that may arise.
Overall, it’s important to be aware of the requirements and limitations of your visa status and to ensure that you are meeting those requirements while you are living and working in Japan. If you are considering making a change, it’s important to research your options and consult with qualified experts to ensure that you understand the implications and potential challenges.