This article is written by a Japanese local.
It is very common for foreign spouses and children residing on a “Dependent Visa” to obtain “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” and work part-time. In recent years, to increase household income, the number of cases where individuals hold multiple part-time jobs (double working) has increased. However, there is a fatal “calculation trap” hidden here that directly leads to the denial of visa renewals.
In this article, we explain the strict rules of the Immigration Control Act when holding multiple jobs under the “28 hours a week limit” and the logical defense measures to prevent overwork (illegal labor).
1. The Principle of “Individual Total,” Not “Per Workplace”
The most common misunderstanding is the perception that “if I work 20 hours a week at Company A and 15 hours a week at Company B, it’s fine because it’s under 28 hours at each company.”
The 28-hour limit under the Immigration Control Act is calculated not per workplace, but by the “total working hours of the foreign individual.” If you are holding multiple part-time jobs, you must combine all working hours and keep the total within 28 hours a week. Because employers often do not know your working hours at other companies, unless you strictly manage your own time, you will easily exceed the limit. With the widespread use of the MyNumber system, salary income from multiple sources is completely tracked by the Immigration Bureau through tax declarations.
2. The Biggest Minefield: Within 28 Hours “Starting from Any Day of the Week”
The most dangerous trap in holding multiple jobs is the concept of the “starting day” of the week.
In many cases, people mistakenly believe that “as long as the total from Monday to Sunday is within 28 hours, it is fine.” However, the screening standard of the Immigration Bureau is that “the hours must always be within 28 hours for any 7-day period, starting from any arbitrary day.”
For example, if your shifts at Company A are concentrated on the weekend and your shifts at Company B are concentrated at the beginning of the following week, even if it crosses a week on the calendar, if the total exceeds 28 hours when calculated for the “7 days from Thursday to the following Wednesday,” it is judged as overwork (illegal labor violation) at that point. Irregular shifts due to holding multiple jobs are the biggest factor in unintentionally causing this violation.
3. The “Long Vacation Exception” for Students Does Not Apply
Foreigners holding a “Student Visa” have an exception where their permitted working hours are expanded to “8 hours a day (40 hours a week)” only during long school holidays such as summer and winter vacations.
However, this long vacation exception does not exist at all for the “Dependent Visa.” No matter how long the holiday is, such as Golden Week or the New Year holidays, as long as you are on a Dependent Visa, the absolute rule of “always within 28 hours a week throughout the year” applies. If you schedule shifts with the same mindset as your international student friends, it will immediately result in a violation.
To Avoid Legal Trouble Before It Occurs
Violations of the Immigration Control Act due to overwork are very strictly cracked down upon. If a record of exceeding the limit remains, the next visa renewal will generally be denied. It will also have a fatal negative impact on the renewal of the status of residence for the supporter (the main work visa holder) and future applications for permanent residence.
If you hold multiple jobs, it is essential to objectively record your daily working hours down to the minute and strictly manage your shifts so that they do not exceed 28 hours in any given 7-day period. If you have concerns about the calculation of your working hours or past shift history, it is highly recommended to consult with qualified professionals such as administrative scriveners or lawyers before applying for a renewal, ensuring that you undergo an objective check to confirm your legal safety before proceeding.