Working vs. Student Visa — What’s the Difference?

Legal Structure, Work Limits, Income Rules, and Financial Implications in Japan

Moving to Japan for study or employment requires choosing the correct residence status.

Many people casually say “visa,” but in Japan, what truly matters is your Status of Residence (在留資格).

Understanding the difference between a Student Visa and a Working Visa is essential not only for legal compliance but also for your financial stability, career development, and long-term residency goals.

This guide explains the difference in detail.

Chapter 1: Understanding Japan’s Residence Status System

1. Visa vs. Status of Residence

Outside Japan, you apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy.
Once you enter Japan, what governs your activities is your Status of Residence.

Your status determines:

• What activities you are legally allowed to do
• Whether you can work
• How many hours you can work
• Whether you can bring family
• How long you can stay

You cannot legally engage in activities outside your permitted status.

2. Activity-Based System

Japan’s immigration system is activity-based.

This means:

Your permission is tied to what you actually do in Japan.

For example:

• Student status → Study is your primary purpose
• Engineer/Humanities/International Services → Professional work is your primary purpose

If your activity changes, your status must change.

3. Period of Stay

Each status comes with a fixed period:

• 3 months
• 6 months
• 1 year
• 3 years
• 5 years

Students often receive 1 year or 2 years initially.
Workers may receive 1, 3, or 5 years depending on contract stability and immigration assessment.

4. Renewal vs. Change of Status

Renewal:
Continue same activity (student stays student, worker stays worker).

Change of Status:
Switch from student to working status or vice versa.

This requires formal application and approval.

Chapter 2: Student Visa — Core Structure and Requirements

The Student status (留学) is issued to individuals enrolled in:

• Japanese language schools
• Vocational schools
• Universities
• Graduate programs

1. Primary Purpose: Study

Under this status:

Your main activity must be academic study.

Immigration expects:

• Regular attendance
• Academic progress
• Tuition payment compliance

Attendance is strictly monitored.

If attendance drops below required levels (often around 80%), renewal can be denied.

2. Financial Requirement

Applicants must prove:

• Ability to pay tuition
• Ability to support living expenses

Typically demonstrated via:

• Bank balance
• Sponsor support documents

This ensures you will not rely illegally on full-time work.

3. Part-Time Work Permission

Students are not automatically allowed to work.

They must apply for:

Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可)

Once granted:

• Maximum 28 hours per week during school term
• Up to 40 hours per week during long holidays

Exceeding this limit is a serious violation.

4. Risks of Violation

Working more than allowed hours can lead to:

• Visa cancellation
• Deportation
• Future visa denial

Immigration regularly audits attendance and employment records.

Chapter 3: Working Visa — Core Structure and Requirements

A Working Visa refers to several statuses tied to employment.

The most common category is:

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

1. Primary Purpose: Professional Employment

To qualify:

• You must have a job offer
• The job must match your academic or professional background
• The company must be legitimate and financially stable

Immigration evaluates:

• Company size
• Salary level
• Job description
• Your qualifications

2. No Hour Restrictions (Within Scope)

Unlike students:

Working visa holders can work full-time.

However:

You cannot work outside your approved professional category.

Example:
An engineer cannot legally work as a restaurant server without additional permission.

3. Salary Expectation

There is no official minimum salary, but:

Salary must be comparable to Japanese workers in similar roles.

Extremely low wages may result in denial.

4. Employer Dependency

Your working status is tied to your employment.

If you resign:

You must find a new qualifying job within a reasonable period.

Failure to engage in work activities may lead to status issues.

Chapter 4: Work Limitations — Side-by-Side Comparison

Let’s directly compare work flexibility.

Student Visa

• Must apply for work permission
• Maximum 28 hours per week
• Cannot prioritize work over school
• Cannot freelance without permission
• School attendance monitored

Work is secondary.

Working Visa

• Full-time work allowed
• No hourly cap
• Must remain within professional category
• Side jobs require permission
• No attendance requirement

Work is primary.

Freelancing and Side Businesses

Students:

Freelancing typically prohibited without explicit permission.

Workers:

May require separate application if activity differs from main job classification.

Unauthorized side business can violate status.

Chapter 5: Income, Taxes, and Social Insurance Differences

This is where life realities differ significantly.

1. Income Level

Students:

Limited by 28-hour rule → income capped.

Working Visa:

Full salary, career-based growth.

2. Social Insurance

Students:

Enroll in National Health Insurance.
Pay relatively low premiums.

Working Visa Holders:

Usually enrolled in Employee Health Insurance.
Employer pays half.

Workers also contribute to:

• Pension
• Employment insurance

Students typically do not participate in employment insurance.

3. Tax Obligations

Students:

Income often low → minimal income tax.

Workers:

Income tax withheld monthly.
Resident tax billed annually.

Tax burden is significantly higher for workers — but so is earning potential.

4. Pension Participation

Workers:

Mandatory pension enrollment.

Students:

May apply for pension payment exemption.

This affects long-term retirement benefits.

Part 1 Summary

The core difference is purpose:

Student Visa → Study first, work limited
Working Visa → Work first, no hourly cap

But the consequences extend into:

• Income level
• Taxation
• Social insurance
• Stability
• Long-term residency opportunities

Choosing between them — or transitioning from one to the other — has significant legal and financial impact.

Chapter 6: Stability and Length of Stay

One of the biggest differences between Student and Working status is long-term stability.

1. Length of Stay

Student Visa

Typically granted for:

• 6 months
• 1 year
• 2 years (depending on program length)

It is tied to your academic program.

If you graduate or withdraw:
Your status loses its foundation.

Working Visa

Commonly granted for:

• 1 year
• 3 years
• 5 years

Renewal depends on:

• Employment stability
• Tax and insurance compliance
• Immigration history

Workers generally receive longer renewal periods over time.

2. Path Toward Permanent Residency

Student years usually do NOT count toward permanent residency in the same way as working years.

Working visa holders:

• Build residency years
• Pay taxes
• Contribute to pension

These are critical factors for Permanent Residency (PR) eligibility.

Students must first transition to work to begin serious long-term residency accumulation.

3. Bringing Family Members

Student Visa

Family accompaniment is possible but limited.

Financial proof requirements are strict.

Working Visa

Easier to sponsor:

• Spouse
• Children

Spouse may apply for dependent status and limited work permission.

Higher income improves approval chances.

Chapter 7: Daily Life Differences — Housing, Credit, and Social Trust

Visa type significantly impacts daily life practicality.

1. Renting an Apartment

Landlords prefer stable income.

Student Visa:

• Often requires guarantor
• Limited income proof
• Higher screening difficulty

Working Visa:

• Salary certificate
• Employment contract
• More reliable approval

This affects:

• Apartment options
• Deposit requirements
• Negotiation power

2. Credit Cards and Loans

Students:

Often limited to prepaid or debit cards.

Working Visa holders:

Easier approval for:

• Credit cards
• Car loans
• Housing loans (after years of residence)

Financial institutions assess income stability.

3. Social Perception

Working professionals are viewed as:

• Economically stable
• Long-term residents
• Reliable taxpayers

Students are viewed as:

• Temporary residents
• Transitional

This subtle difference affects many practical interactions.

Chapter 8: Changing from Student to Working Visa

This is one of the most common transitions in Japan.

1. When Can You Apply?

You can apply for Change of Status when:

• You secure a job offer
• The job matches your educational background
• You are expected to graduate

You do NOT need to leave Japan.

2. Required Documents

Typically:

• Job offer letter
• Employment contract
• Company registration documents
• Graduation certificate (or expected graduation proof)
• Transcript
• Application form

Immigration reviews both you and the employer.

3. Common Reasons for Rejection

• Job unrelated to your degree
• Insufficient salary
• Company financial instability
• Low school attendance history

Your student record matters.

4. Timing Strategy

Best practice:

Apply before student status expires.

Avoid gaps in legal status.

Chapter 9: Common Violations and Risks

Immigration violations can permanently damage your future applications.

1. Working Beyond 28 Hours (Students)

This is one of the most frequent violations.

Consequences:

• Non-renewal
• Deportation
• Ban from re-entry

Even employer pressure does not excuse violation.

2. Dropping Out Without Notification

If a student leaves school but remains in Japan:

Status becomes invalid.

Immigration may issue departure order.

3. Working Outside Approved Category

For Working Visa holders:

Working in unrelated industries without permission can violate status.

Example:
Office worker secretly running restaurant.

4. Long Unemployment Period

If a working visa holder remains unemployed for extended time:

Immigration may question “engaging in authorized activity.”

You must demonstrate job-seeking effort.

Chapter 10: Real-Life Comparison Scenarios

Let’s examine practical situations.

Case 1: Japanese Language Student

Income limited to part-time.

Monthly earnings:
¥80,000–¥120,000 maximum (within 28-hour rule).

Savings limited.

Long-term path requires job conversion.

Case 2: University Graduate with Job Offer

Changes to working status.

Salary:
¥250,000/month starting.

Insurance and pension begin.

Long-term residency path activated.

Case 3: Working Holiday → Student → Worker

Working holiday:
Temporary.

Student:
Academic foundation.

Worker:
Career path.

Each stage increases stability.

Case 4: Student Fails to Secure Job

Must:

• Extend student status
• Change school
• Or leave Japan

Student status alone does not allow full-time employment.

Case 5: Worker Seeking Permanent Residency

After years of:

• Stable income
• Tax compliance
• Pension payments

PR becomes realistic.

Student status alone does not create this pathway.

Final Comparison Summary

Final Conclusion

The difference between Student and Working Visa in Japan is not just about hours of work.

It affects:

• Financial growth
• Social integration
• Long-term residency
• Family planning
• Credit access
• Legal stability

Student status is a stepping stone.

Working status is a foundation.

Understanding this difference allows you to design your life strategy in Japan more intelligently.