If you’re an international student in Japan and need extra money, you might be interested in knowing how to have a part-time job (アルバイト). Having a part-time job in Japan as an international student is quite easy once you have the right papers and know where to look for the right opportunities. Here’s a guide on how to get a 留学生 アルバイト!
Can You Work A Part-Time Job If You’re An International Student In Japan?
Yes, you can engage in a part-time job for international students in Japan. The first thing that you need to do is get a 資格外活動許可 (permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence).
You can apply for a general permission for any part-time jobs in Japan that don’t exceed 28 hours. If your part-time job is with a specific company, you can apply for an individual permit to specify the duration and activities you’ll work on.
How to Apply For a Work Permit as an International Student?
To apply for a 資格外活動許可, you need to fill out a form and submit it to the Regional Immigration Bureau in your area of residence. You can check the Regional Immigration Bureau jurisdictions here. Some universities such as APU require students to submit their work permit applications through the university.
Do note that international students cannot work part-time at pachinko parlors, adult entertainment establishments, or massage places.
What Part-Time Jobs Are Available For International Students In Japan?
There are many part-time jobs available for international students in Japan. And it’s relatively easy, even for foreign residents, to get one. However, many of these require at least entry-level Japanese language speaking skills.
The most common part-time jobs アルバイト in Japan for both local and international students are those with shifting schedules, such as waiters at restaurants, attendants at clothing shops, konbini staff, warehouse and factory support, call center chat support, onsen attendants, and English-teaching jobs. Most shifts last from 4-5 hours and can be up to three times a week or more.
Another way you can earn money as an international student in Japan is to apply for a long-term internship that doubles as an アルバイト. This way, you’ll also be able to acquire familiarity with how the Japanese workplace operates and gain relevant skills.
How To Get A Part-Time Job In Japan As An International Student?
While walking around your neighborhood to check out job postings is an option, the easiest and fastest way to get a job in Japan is through an internet search. Here are the keywords and websites you can use for your job-hunting:
1. Type your area or prefecture + アルバイト (arubaito/part-time job) on Google
The simplest way to start job hunting for an arubaito アルバイト is to narrow down your search to your area. All you need to do is type your area in Japanese characters and アルバイト. For example, if you are studying in the Akita Prefecture, you will type “秋田県 アルバイト” (Akita prefecture arubaito).
From there, you’ll be able to see opportunities around your area.
2. Search On Japanese Job-Hunting Websites
- MyNavi Baito マイナビバイト – A dedicated website for part-time job postings. You’ll be able to see a variety of part-time jobs available — from day jobs to specific job postings for international students.
- タイミー (Timee) – A gig app where on-demand jobs are available, such as delivery handling, event preparation staff, moving assistance, and more.
- Rikunabi リクナビ – One of the most popular websites in Japan for job hunting. It has a large listing that features many companies based across Japan.
- MyNavi マイナビ – Another popular job hunting site in Japan that also features news about job fairs.
- CareerTasu (キャリタス就活) – What sets this website apart is the student-company matching function that allows for a faster hiring process.
- One Career (ワンキャリア) – This job-hunting website provides additional support and gives examples of successful applications. It also features reviews and experiences from past job candidates.
These websites are in Japanese, and you may need to translate the webpage to browse.
Do You Need To Prepare A Resume For A Part-Time Job? What Is The Interview Process Like For Part-Time Jobs In Japan?
Most part-time jobs, such as konbini staff, clothing store assistant, and restaurant wait staff, only require a simple resume template that lists your basic information, school, and graduation year. Expect a very simple interview process with most questions being practical, like how many hours you can be at work and which shifts you can do.
However, some part-time jobs, such as English-teaching and call center jobs, require written tests and practical tests.
What Are The Warning Signs To Look Out For When Job-Hunting As An International Student?
When job-hunting for an arubaito, you must be careful and look out for red flags that indicate a part-time job might not be a good one.
1. The hourly rate is too high.
If the hourly rate offer is too high for a part-time job as compared to the usual market value, it can be a red flag. Be extra careful if a company is asking you to pay anything up front to get a part-time job.
2. If there are too many job opening posts.
If a certain company has too many job openings or is seeking a large batch of part-time employees, it can indicate that there is a high turnover rate. When employees are constantly quitting, it can mean that the company’s working conditions are not very good.
3. Be careful about black companies ブラック企業
Black companies are notorious for overworking and underpaying employees. These companies often have rough working conditions. To prevent yourself from being trapped at a ブラック企業, you have to confirm the salary, job description, and have someone well-versed in Japanese to look at your contract. Some of these companies can hide details of the work description, so you have to be vigilant when confirming details.
How to avoid black companies? You can use Glassdoor, research online about the companies, read stories on Reddit, find a senior who already works at your target companies, or work with a trusted company such as FAST OFFER International in connecting you with vetted companies. It’s important to note however, that if social media is your primary research tool, negative stories will tend to explode due to the design of the algorithm, not necessarily because they are the experience of the majority.
Want to know more about how to make the most out of being an international student in Japan? Sign up for our roundtable discussion this November 27 and get expert advice!
Success Stories Featuring Internships at Japanese Companies
Part-Time English Teaching Job
“As a part-time job, I taught English to Japanese high school students through short-term programs that focused on daily conversations about different cultures and social issues in each country. Although some students had no proficiency in English, I enjoyed teaching and found the programs to be highly enjoyable.” Read More: Why I Chose to Study and Work in Japan as a Mechanical Engineer from Pakistan
Part-Time Job at a Restaurant
“To deepen my experience, I also took a part-time job at a restaurant when I was not attending class. This gave me valuable insight into Japanese working culture. One key difference I noticed between China and Japan was the strong emphasis on customer service. In Japan, how you speak to customers is an art. We were trained to be thoughtful and polite in our words, always putting the customer’s feelings first. This approach reflects the deep respect and consideration that are central to Japanese social behavior.” Read More: Life Of A Chinese In Japan: Cultural Differences And More
Part-Time Job as a Japan Visitor Hotline Operator
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Part-Time Job at Ryokan and a Restaurant
“I landed and balanced two part-time jobs at a Japanese ryokan (a traditional hot spring resort) and a restaurant. These jobs gave me valuable speaking and listening opportunities that improved my Japanese. Since I live in Kyoto, a tourist destination, these businesses also benefited from having English-speaking employees…Working at the Ryokan bettered my language skills and deepened my understanding of Japanese culture.” Read More: An Indian Working Student’s Journey To Be An Engineer in Japan: From Ryokans to Robots
Part-Time Job at Ryokan and a Restaurant
“I got to study at Osaka University for 10 months, through two semesters. During that time, I got to do a lot of things. There were classes, trips, club activities, and a part-time job at a sushi restaurant… My time working for a sushi restaurant turned out to be the highlight of my time in Japan. Through this experience, my apprehension about working in Japan diminished. Everyone at the sushi restaurant was Japanese, except for me and one other co-worker. Although there was a language barrier, they were kind enough to help me when I didn’t understand a certain task and were very attentive.” Read More: Studying Abroad in Japan Inspired Myanmar Talent’s Dream
