I plan to apply for ‘Permission to Engage in Additional Activities’ etc whilst on an Instructor Visa when I re-enter in November. I’m not looking for a second job, just to make a little extra income as a sole-proprietor in the form of gigging as a musician twice maybe three times a week.
I’ve done some reading (including previous posts) but the more info the better with these things in Japan… I understand the need to fulfill my primary obligations and have permission (and can get it in writing) from my employer to do this. Does anyone have any relevant experience/advice/wait times etc, if I’m likely to hit any road blocks? Chance of being rejected?
I’ve also read that occasional engagements don’t have to be declared if it’s just once or twice; though, I’d feel a bit uneasy being off the record if it becomes a regular fixture… rather not get deported/not allowed back in.
Any comments appreciated, extra points if you’ve done it in Hokkaido/Sapporo!
Thanks in advance 🙂
3 comments
I know lots of musicians who just play bar gigs. The money is all in cash. No one will ever find out.
Not legal advice, ahem.
If you’re on any kind of working visa, Immigration won’t grant you a blanket “Permission to Engage”. They’ll only grant that on a contract-by-contract basis, to do a specific job. It would surprise me if they’d be willing to do that for gigging in bars, but I’ve been surprised before.
The unlimited “Permission to engage” that doesn’t need a specific employer listed is only granted to people on non-work-based visas, like student, dependent, or that one for learning martial arts.
It doesn’t work like you think it works. The persmission to work is reliant on a contract. Let’s say you do find part time contract work playing music, because it’s part time it will likely be 1 year. So your work visa too, will also be restricted to 1 year! this is the massive downside to that. My wife is currently having that issue.