Finding a Part-Time Job as a Student in Japan (Arubaito Basics)
Updated: 2026-08-24
Quick answer
Hi, I'm Miya, and if you're a student who wants a part-time job — an arubaito (アルバイト) — in Japan, let me walk you through it calmly. The very first step usually isn't the job hunt at all: it's getting permission to work. On a student visa you generally need the 'permission to engage in activity other than that permitted' (資格外活動許可), which you can often apply for right at the airport on arrival or later at an immigration office. Only once that's in place should you start applying.
After that, the plan is simple. You keep within the roughly 28 hours a week the student status allows during term, look in the places students actually find work (job-search apps, storefront notices, and your campus career desk), prepare a basic résumé, and go to a friendly interview. This is general orientation, not legal advice, so please confirm the work-permission details for your own situation with immigration.
First: get your work permission (資格外活動許可)
Before you earn a single yen, sort out the paperwork that makes working legal for a student. This is the 資格外活動許可, the permission to engage in activity other than that permitted by your visa. Many students apply for it the moment they land — the counter at major airports often processes it together with your residence card — but if you missed that window, you can apply afterward at your regional immigration office. It's usually a short form, and it's free.
Please treat this as the true starting line. Employers will ask whether you're allowed to work, and being able to say yes clearly makes everything smoother. Because rules and eligibility can differ by your exact status and school, always confirm the specifics with immigration or your school's international student office rather than relying on what a friend did last year.
Know your hours: about 28 a week
Student status comes with a limit on how much you can work, and it matters more than people expect. As a rule of thumb, you may work up to around 28 hours per week while classes are in session, counted across all your jobs combined — not 28 hours at each place. During long university breaks, such as the summer or spring holidays, that ceiling is usually raised, which is when many students pick up extra shifts.
Keep a simple tally of your hours so you never drift over the line, especially if you take on a second job. Staying within the limit protects your visa and your peace of mind, and it's genuinely easy once you get in the habit of checking your weekly total. As always, confirm the current figures and any conditions with immigration, since your permission is the document that actually governs this.
Where to look for arubaito
There are three reliable places students find work, and it's worth using all of them. First, job-search apps and websites: you filter by area, shift times, and whether the role welcomes students or non-native Japanese speakers, then apply straight from your phone. Second, storefront notices — cafes, convenience stores, restaurants, and shops often post a paper sign in the window reading 「アルバイト募集」 (now hiring), and you simply ask inside or call the number shown.
Third, don't overlook your own campus. University career desks and student affairs offices keep boards and listings aimed at students, sometimes including on-campus roles and introductions from the school itself. These tend to be understanding about class schedules and language level, so they're a lovely first place to start. Cast a wide net across all three, and you'll quickly get a feel for what suits your timetable.
The résumé and the interview
Most applications lead to a short interview, and many places expect a Japanese-style résumé called a rirekisho (履歴書). You can buy a template at a convenience store or stationery shop, or fill one in digitally; it asks for your basic details, education, and a short note on why you'd like the role and when you can work. Write neatly, attach a plain photo, and bring a copy to the interview even if you applied online.
The interview itself is usually gentle — expect questions about your availability, how long you plan to stay, and whether you can handle the day-to-day tasks. Be honest about your shifts and your Japanese level. Some jobs, especially those with lots of customer contact, do expect conversational Japanese, while kitchens, delivery, and back-of-house roles may be more flexible. Arrive a few minutes early, be warm and polite, and you'll do fine.
One quiet prerequisite: a Japanese number
Here's the practical thread that runs through every step above. Job-search apps almost always verify your account by sending a code over SMS, and after you apply, this is Japan — employers still love to reach candidates by phone to arrange the interview or confirm your first shift. Without a Japanese mobile number, you can miss both the sign-up and the callback, which is a quietly frustrating way to lose out on a role you'd have loved.
So once your residence card and address are sorted, having a Japanese number ready before you start applying just makes the whole hunt smoother. With Rakuten Mobile you can apply online with your residence card, and if your phone supports eSIM you're often set up the same day without visiting a store — do check the official page for current terms. Get that in place, and every app, every interview call, and every 'can you start Monday?' message reaches you the moment it's sent.
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