Wondered if anyone could help me on this. Thought I’d done all my research but someone today told me something that’s thrown me into a tailspin.
I’m on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services 3 year visa, lived in Japan for about 6-7 years now. As my work contract has a clause that allows me to do side jobs I thought I’d finally take advantage of that during the Covid lull to earn some extra income. I’ve been keeping all my invoices and financial records so that I can fulfil all my tax obligations (although I very much doubt I’m going to cross the 200,000yen threshold to declare, I am planning on declaring anyway to be on the safe side).
Here’s the worry that has emerged in the last few hours… I have been making a point to only do work that falls under my visa criteria (copywriting, travel writing, translation etc) as that was what I gleaned from Japan’s immigration HP (but with all the confusing word salads and poor translations, it’s not the most reliable source though, as we all know, so maybe I should have known better…) I’ve been told today by a mutual friend that even if it’s work that technically falls under my visa category, I still need to get the “permission to engage in other activities” permit from immigration. When I researched, the impression I got that this was only necessary if you wanted to earn money from an activity that isn’t covered under your visa criteria.
I tried looking for more about this online, but a lot of it is very vague, contradictory and some of the information is also quite old. Some say it’s absolutely necessary, because immigration technically needs to know about any kind of work you’re doing (as they give you your visa based on whatever proof of work you present to them at the time of renewal / application) while others say if it’s in the confines of your visa it’s not necessary as it’s technically the MOJ and not a workplace that gives you your visa and you have freedom to work as you like provided you stay within the criteria.
So… yeah. :< Would really like to hear from others who have worked side gigs in Japan under this visa type as I am in a bit of a flap, now. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!