Want to work as a freelancer in Japan and sponsor yourself a visa? Don’t want to rely on having to get a full-time job at domestic company to stay and work in this great country? Then a freelance visa is the perfect solution!
…the problem being…
it doesn’t exist…
at least not yet anyway.
The truth is; you have 2 options. Get a regular work visa “Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International Services” or a business manager visa – the catch with that one is you need $50,000 to invest in your company and an office. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have either…
I’ve now been working as a freelancer for 2-3 years and this is what I learned and how you can get a visa as a freelancer in Japan.
A few years back I found myself in a position of needing to change visa types and in my situation then had no luck getting a full-time job offer with visa sponsorship. However I did find many agencies and companies offering me freelance work. I had heard of people “sponsoring themselves a visa”, but it sounded like a lot of paper work and I put it in the “too hard basket”. However as my current visa expiry got closer & closer I was forced to think outside of the box.
I then took to Google in search of my options – to be honest the information sucked! What seemed like legitimate information was outdated and proved to be very unhelpful. (Hence why I’m writing this this blog). However after reading countless articles, blogs and getting lost on the Japan immigration website, I found an English helpline. Boom!
I remember bombarding the poor women with so many questions, I’m sure she didn’t know what hit her. What I learned was key information.
If you have a part-time job (or major client with a contract) and some other contract work to make up the difference of income you can get a work visa and all it’s going to cost you is the ¥4,000 visa processing fee.
I had a client giving me 1-2 days a week work (with a contract stating the rate per day) and a number of small clients to make up at least some more provable income, if not potential.
Here’s how I did it and I’m sure you can too. Some of this may seem overboard, but at the time this was my only available option, so I threw everything at it
I got my main client onboard to sign on as my sponsor (you need this, no avoiding this part). They agreed to put their name on the form and stamp it with their company seal.
Next, I set about making sure I had documentation of other work. I put together approved contracts for other major projects I had on. Also with some clients I had tighter relationships with, I asked them to write an official letter on they’re company letterhead, with seal, stating they had used me and planned to continue giving me work in the future.
I put together contracts, bank statements proving payment on that work, also estimates I had recently for jobs – I may have gone overboard, but given my situation it was get the visa or probably have to leave the country. I literally threw the kitchen sink at it.
If you are already on a work visa a previous employer sponsored you for, then it’s just renewing your current visa. If you are in the situation I was and changing the type of visa you’re on, then you also need provide proof of qualifications.
There’s 2 sides to this;
- The work & income (do you have a sponsor & extra work to make over 200,000 – 250,000 p/month to support yourself in Japan)
- Are you qualified to do the job?
I’ve already covered the income/work part, but for those needing to change status; The visa guidelines state you need a bachelors degree in your field/industry (unless it’s English teaching or recruiting, then any bachelor degree is okay) or relevant “x” years of work history.
Because I like to make life difficult (not intentionally, but it tends to happen that way), I only have a technical school diploma as a designer, not a bachelor degree. I needed to provide proof I had “x” amount of years experience working as a designer. (The rule here, really is to make sure you look credible and have relevant experience linked to what you want to do with the visa). I got on the phone again to past employers in and out of the country, typed up some letters confirming the work I did for them (matching my CV of course) and then happily printed on their letterhead, signed and sent back to me.
Both bases covered, 1. major client/sponsor and other clients making up the rest of my projected income and 2. my tech school diploma and work history proving I’m capable of the job.
It’s a lot of paper work and for me it was after months of stress, some failed job interviews, getting frustrated at the lack of decent information online – but I got there and my visa application was approved!!!!!
The first time, takes a lot of paper work, but I hope this article helps someone like me out. And saves them months of worry and hearing stories over a cold beer with friends of a friend of a friend who self-sponsored themselves a visa only to find that a “self-sponsored” visa does not exist.
I have now been working like this and have renewed my visa twice with no problems, having my main source of income as my sponsor and supplying additional information to prove my other work.
The only bad news here: Freelancers only get 1 year at a time. The first time, of course I was so excited and relieved for it to be approved, any amount of time was a huge win. But after the second and third time of only getting 1 year again even when putting desired stay on the form as 5 years. Both times I asked the staff and the feedback I received was that because I’m freelance, I only receive 1 year.
I hope this article helps others like me out there to get a visa as a freelancer in Japan. If you have any questions, feedback or maybe you’ve learned something you could add to this, please comment below.
Helpful links:
Shinjuku free visa office (English speaking):
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/keiziban/happyou/tokyo_tell.html
Types of visas available in Japan & qualifications needed:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/qaq5.html
Change of Visa Status required documents:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html
Hey, great post! I have a few questions that I’d really appreciate if you could answer to:
1. Should the primary contract be with a Japanese company, or any international one will do? What about other contracts?
2. Do you have anything special to say about “Upwork-employed” freelancers?
3. How taxes are calculated for freelancers?
4. Is it work or business type visa? Do you need an office?
5. Out of curiosity, what was your previous visa type? 🙂 Student?
Hi Roman, thanks for reaching out and I’m happy to hear this is helping someone. Regarding your questions;
1. Japanese or International Company is fine (in general the bigger, the more credible, but I’ve been able to get visas with smaller international organisations just fine). Other contracts I’ve showed in the past have been project or monthly work contracts I have with clients. First time I even had clients that I had a good relationship with write a letter using their letterhead and hanko stating they planned to give me business over the coming year.
2. “Upwork-employed”, I know it, but haven’t used it myself, so can’t help much there. However if there are contracts and you can confirm income from it, I imagine would be fine as supplemental work.
3. Taxes – depends how you bill the company and how they want to treat it. If they treat you more like a contractor they will withhold some tax, then you do tax return and may get some of that back. I bill as if I’m a company and they don’t take any out, at tax time I need to do a tax return and pay any tax owing ofter deducting expenses (personally I try and put money aside towards paying tax throughout the year so it’s not a huge payment out of nowhere I have to pay)
4. I’m on work visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) – that what the article is on. I believe for business manager visa you need your own office space and also approximately $50,000 to invest into the company
5. My previous visa was actually religious activities while doing work with a church. However I think changing from any is fine, but if you’re coming from student you’ll need to show you’re qualified and/or have experience.
I hope that answers everything, let me know if there’s anything else.
Hey, thank you so much for your article and for sharing your experience.
I have been a freelance for 2 1/2 years, and all my clients are in Europe.
Am I eligible for a visa if I have no customers in Japan ?
Can I ask directly for a resident visa, or do I need first to apply for a Working Holiday visa, and then a resident visa ?
Thanks for your help,
Adrien
Hi Adrien,
Happy to hear helped.
I assume you’re still in Europe, is that correct? If so, Working Holiday visa would be the best place to start, then you have 1 year to build up clients and hopefully in that time you’ll be able to get a company to back you to apply for work visa to stay. (Work visa in Japan, need to be sponsored by companies with Japanese officers).
ps. Permanent Residence takes around 10 years to get unless highly skilled. Working Holiday visa is great, very easy to get and flexible, only down side it’s a once off type of thing. But myself and plenty of other friends here started that way.
I hope this covers your questions!
Thanks
Hello, I’m confused by your article regarding your visa status when you started the process of obtaining the freelancer visa.
“ The truth is; you have 2 options. Get a regular work visa “Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International Services” or a business manager visa”
Question: Did you arrive here with an Engineer / Specialist work visa?
“A few years back I found myself in a position of needing to change visa types and in my situation then had no luck getting a full-time job offer with visa sponsorship“
Question: What type of visa were you changing from?
“ If you are already on a work visa a previous employer sponsored you for, then it’s just renewing your current visa. If you are in the situation I was and changing the type of visa you’re on, then you also need provide proof of qualifications.”
Question: This is very confusing. I have a work visa sponsored by my previous employer? It’s valid for 4 more years. I am no longer with my employer, and would like to work freelance. Do I need to change anything?
Hi Matt, Thanks for the comment, sorry to hear there is some confusion. Let me clear that up for you.
Question: Did you arrive here with an Engineer / Specialist work visa?
Arrived on Working Holiday visa. Did not start on a Engineer / Specialist work visa
Question: What type of visa were you changing from?
Changed from another type of work visa, not related to design at all.
If you already have the “Engineer / Specialist” work visa for you to work in the industry, then you don’t need to provide proof of qualifications to be doing the work as you’ve already proved that. In that case it’s a renewal which is simpler, however if you’re like I was and needing to change visa type (change of status), then you need to provide the proof you are qualified to work in the industry.
Question: I have a work visa sponsored by my previous employer? It’s valid for 4 more years. I am no longer with my employer, and would like to work freelance. Do I need to change anything?
Technically I believe you are meant to notify immigration of this change of situation, however I haven’t met anyone yet who actually does and I don’t think immigration really check up on this or police it. The first time I renewed my visa after doing like I’ve mentioned in this post I had a new sponsor and it wasn’t an issue. (However on this point, I’d suggest do your own research or chat to a professional about it)
I hope this helps clear somethings up. Let me know if there is anything else.
Hello, very interesting article here !
I’m currently working for a company with a Engineer/Specialist work visa and I’m thinking about doing some freelance work in my free time.
Besides the kojin jigyou procedures, do I need to notify something to the immigration bureau ?
Hi Martin, thanks for the comment!
In that case since you’re not changing employers there would be no need to notify the immigration bureau. For example in the past, when I renewed my visa, I provided my contract with my sponsoring organization and supporting contracts/examples of work coming in and these clients changed year to year and have never got questioned about this from immigration. So they seem to only care about the main employer and as long as your freelancing within the scope of your visa.
I hope that answers your question.
It does, I appreciate your help.
Hi Lost in Tokyo,
Thanks for the information. I have some additional questions/doubts, can you please clarify them?
1. When you did freelance what was you visa type? Is it Engineer/Humanities? The objective is to clarify whether Engineer/Humanities visa can be used to do the freelance work without having a permanent/temporary contract with the employer. (Like per hour basis work).
2. Necessary notifications need to send to minimum two institutions:
2.1 Income Tax(Kojin Jugyou or sole proprietorship)
2.2 Immigration Bureau(about job change notification)
Thanks
Hi there Maya! sorry for the late reply.
1. That’s right! Specialist in Humanities/Engineer/International Services visa – which I’m still on. My main contract I used when I first applied had very clearly “¥xxx per day freelance” written as the salary/wages. However this major contract company does need to sign your forms and hanko/sign them as your “sponsor”.
2.1 Income Tax(Kojin Jugyou or sole proprietorship) – You need to provide proof of tax paid for the last full tax year. (I’ve never had to show my Kojin Jugyou registration to immigration before)
2.2 Immigration Bureau(about job change notification) – Technically yes you’re meant to notify immigration of job changes, however actually I never have. One time I just updated my sponsor the next time I applied & wrote a simple explanation letter and went through with no problem.
I hope that clears that up for you. let me know if there’s anything else.
Thank you so, so, so much for all the information you provided! I randomly found your blog while looking for my options. I’m eternally grateful since the matter always seemed so complicated and I’ve heard aaall those ‘I know a friend who was able to get it but others didn’t’-stories by now, haha.
I had some questions left though, and hoped you might be able to answer them!
Is the needed income per month always at least 200000-250000, or can there be exceptions? And for how long did you have to earn that amount prior to the application to show them it was consistent?
I’m currently living in Europe and am a freelance translator since a few years, but my income is fluctuating a lot because of university endeavors, health issues, Covid, etc. and I relied partly on other financial help too. Do other forms of income count as well, unrelated to the main freelance work? I am working full-time though, just having fairly inconsistent income at times.
I work with Japanese and international companies and am sure I would find a Japanese sponsor to vouch for me. I wanted to apply for the Working Holiday visa this year, but due to Covid I might be too old when they re-open visa applications.
Do you believe I would be able to apply for a self-sponsored visa from outside the country too or from a tourist visa?
Thank you so much and all your time and effort collecting and sharing the information is highly appreciated! Also, congrats! So glad it worked out well for you. 🙂
Hi Julia, thanks you for the comment and so so sorry for such a late reply.
Yeah I certainly got sick of those “‘I know a friend who was able to get it but others didn’t’” stories!
Is the needed income per month always at least 200000-250000, or can there be exceptions?
– This amount to my knowledge isn’t actually written formally down (publicly at least), but I know it’s an amount companies regularly use as they know it will go through, so then it is a good amount to aim for. But I have heard of exceptions, eg. if you had discounted accomodation or had some outside source of income that doesn’t conflict with your visa status (eg. income from your own country/outside of Japan) it would be worth a shot. In my original application I did include a couple of project quotes for outside of Japan projects work to help show I had more. I don’t know if that had an impact/bearing on anything but if you have nothing else, it would be worth trying.
Do other forms of income count as well, unrelated to the main freelance work?
This, I’m sorry I don’t know 100%. When applying for an earlier work visa many years a go (going from working holiday to another type work visa) I did put in my application I had some extra part-time work to support what else I was doing. Keep in mind though, if that work is inside of Japan and outside of the scope of industries of your visa you have to apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activity other than…what your visa is, see here: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/09.html
Do you believe I would be able to apply for a self-sponsored visa from outside the country too or from a tourist visa?
Yes, I think you should be able to do that no problem. It’s literally the same visa as many companies would use, so no reason you can’t do that. Tourist visa could be an option too and allows you 2-3 months to build more contacts, obviously legally you can’t work on a tourist visa.
Working Holiday visa is definitely simplest and easy route in terms of getting a visa you can work on easily, but as you mention really depends on how much more COVID ruins our plans ; )
Thank you so much for this post, I didn’t think it was possible to work as a freelancer in Japan. That changes everything 🙂
One question for you, let’s say you go there on a Working Holiday or Student visa and get those first clients, do you have a set up a legal structure in Japan to be able to accept the contract?
Also when you get a client to sponsor you, is it free for them? Are there any reasons why they’d refuse?
Thank you!
Hi Greg! great question.
If you are on a working holiday visa you can do any freelance work without having to set anything up – so this is a great option to come over, build up your clients and then hopefully by the time you need a new visa you’ll have a client willing to sponsor you. Student visa is also okay, but you need to apply for a work permit to engage in activities outside of your visa which will allow you to work for up to 28 hours a week (a lot of students have part-time jobs). I did a similar thing and just need to show I had some requests for clients to design them things and they gave me a work permit to work like that.
Does it cost a client to sponsor you? No! unless they pay the visa application fee for you which is about ¥4,000 ($40USD).
Any reason they would refuse? They may be hesitant to put their company name on documents that would be given to immigration or feel a bigger commitment to you than they want. Companies need to supply some financial documentation to prove they are a stable business, if they don’t know you well, they may be hesitant. But if you have a good relationship with them, shouldn’t be a problem. My tip would be, find international clients in Japan – they understand more about having to have a visa than 100% Japanese firms hiring mainly locals.
I hope that helps!
My apologies, I wasn’t notified about your answer. These are really useful tips, thank you so much. I just arrived yesterday in Tokyo, will apply them 🙂
Follow-up questions while it’s still fresh:
• If I understand this well, the important thing is that contract is made by a Japanese-based company? (and no my current European sole proprietor structure)
• Once I find some clients, and get a contract, I’ll become a sole proprietor (kojin jigyo) is that right? I need to figure out how the taxes will work
Also are there any legal requirements about have a certain Japanese level in order to self-sponsor your visa?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Greg! good to hear from you.
• If I understand this well, the important thing is that contract is made by a Japanese-based company? (and no my current European sole proprietor structure)
– Yes this is correct, Japanese based company for contract as your sponsor. Showing you have work from Europe to beef up your income wouldn’t hurt though, but they just can’t be your main employer/sponsor you
• Once I find some clients, and get a contract, I’ll become a sole proprietor (kojin jigyo) is that right? I need to figure out how the taxes will work
– sole proprietor (kojin jigyo) is something you apply for at your local city tax office. You can’t freelance without it, but is apparently better for tax deductions etc.
There are rules around Japanese ability and all forms can be filled in, in English too.
I hope that clears more up for you. Always feel free to ask about more.
Thanks! Made it to Tokyo and I’m done with quarantine 🙂
I’m going to start looking for some clients. Do I have to get a Japanese bank account to get paid? Or could I use my regular one (setting up a transfer wise to avoid fees).
I heard that Japanese banks can be hard to deal with (lots of fees etc)
Thank you!
Hi Greg! welcome to Japan and happy new year!
You may have made to Japan just in time by the sounds of things. Having a Japanese bank account is definitely a must for lifestyle in Japan. A lot of Japanese firms would want to pay by back transfer. Some banks are easier for foreigners than others, I hear Sony bank can be done online, also Rakuten too. In person Shinsei bank would be an option too, but not sure if they do a debit card. These banks you can create accounts without having a Japanese Hanko/stamp.
Also a tip for bank accounts, if apply for sole proprietor (kojin jigyo), then you can get a bank account in your business name that you register as the sole proprietor (kojin jigyo) name.
Hi Brian,
Yes I think I did! Good reminder you gotta take the opportunity if it’s there.
Thank you for the recommendation. These online banks look way less daunting, especially Sony Bank.
About your tip, can I work with a regular account or do I have to open the business account that you’re mentioning? If not, what would be the advantages?
*Not sure why I called you Brian… My apologies!
haha no worries Steve, I mean Greg ; )
You can work and get paid with a personal/regular account no problem. Benefit of the business one is if you want to have a trading name/business name as the name of the bank account. So good if you like to use a business name for your freelancing, if you just use your personal name then no need.
Hope that clears it up
Thank you it does clear it up.
Thanks for your help, I’ll try to find my first clients here 🙂 Hopefully, there’ll be enough demand for UX/UI in Japan at the moment
Great Greg! all the best. let us know how it all goes!
Just check your site out, awesome work by the way!
ps. just sent you an invite to Canvas a creative networking platform for creatives based in Tokyo.
Thank you for the invite!
Good news I found my first 2 clients!
However I don’t think it’ll be helpful for the visa
– it’s not stable companies (2 self employed persons)
– it’s a one off project (making their websites) not a recurring contract
But still very happy 🙂
Congratulations on the first projects!!! good to get a few going huh!
Hello Lost in Tokyo.
I have just come up against a tricky problem. I am here on a Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, and my sponsor just told me (today!) that they don’t want to continue sponsoring me (my visa expires at the end of April 2021).
I have been in Japan for 30 years, and for about 5 years now I have been working from home, just visiting the company once or twice a week (their idea). But then in 2018 they drastically reduced the work amount, and subsequently income decreased dramatically (worse this year with COVID).
Whenever I have talked to them about this over the last year or so, they tell me “But you are freelance, aren’t you?” This was never actually the case, and I think it is a convenient way for them to avoid the “responsibility” that comes with sponsorship.
It’s really a strange situation. On the phone today, the company president told me he had spoken to the company lawyer (it is quite a big company), and the lawyer’s position is that they have no legal obligation to sponsor me (which may well be true).
OK, so my question is this. Can a sponsor, just a few months before a visa expires, say “Sorry, we’re not interested, but good luck anyway”? This was the gist of my phonecall today.
Of course, you may not have the answer to this, but I finished this upsetting phonecall just one hour ago, found your excellent website, and just wanted to reach out for an opinion.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, with COVID and everything, I certainly wouldn’t even get to the 200,000 yen per month mark at the moment.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Tony, really sorry to hear about this situation, sounds like your company is doing the dirty on you – not very nice at all. When I needed a visa when I was english teaching originally I had a similar situation, so I don’t believe companies are obligated to sponsor you a visa unfortunately (I don’t know for sure, but I do know some companies will avoid hiring foreigners as they don’t want the hassle of more paperwork etc. Personally I would try and find and contact any organisation that offer visa/legal support to foreigners incase you do have a legal leg to stand on so to speak (and some job hunting wouldn’t hurt – don’t panic yet though, still 4 months away). After a quick google, perhaps this place could give you some advice at least https://www.tokyo-icc.jp/english/relay_soudan/https://www.tokyo-icc.jp/english/relay_soudan/.
Regarding the 200,000 per month for income to get a visa, my experience is that if you can provide a strong argument/explanation on how you can support yourself, immigration can be lenient. Eg. living with family and have discounted rent etc.
Sorry I can’t help more, I’ll set up a contact page and you can feel free to email me direct if you like. Thanks!
Thank you very much for the reply and useful information.
The company has been my sponsor for 11 years now, and yes, they are kind of doing the dirty. For many years, my “contract” has been, well let’s say very vague, but I always had enough work. When my workload was suddenly reduced by 80% two years ago, I asked if they could show me my so-called contract. They just said it’s a standard contract, but it was from around that time they started calling me a “freelancer,” even though I had proof of employment.
Anyway, thanks again, and I may well use the Contact page for an e-mail in the future. Good luck with the website and your work in Japan!
Hi Tony, yeah that sounds pretty fishy. Personally I’d be finding some legal advice regards the contract/job situation and job hunting at the same time – hope it works out well for you.
Thanks so much for this post! I was wondering if you had to bring in all the paperwork of proof of retirement from previous companies? I think it’s called Taishoku shomeisho?
Thanks!
Hi there Jackie,
Good question! usually after changing jobs and then renewing your visa you do need that. The first time I applied for the visa I believe I did have to supply that. The next time I renewed it with a different sponsor/major client I just had a written explanation of why it changed and that was fine. (since it was freelance contracts at that point, maybe they don’t expect it).
I hope that answers your question
Thank You for such an informative post and also for the regular follow up with answers.
Can i ask you about my situation?
I recently resigned from a Full time job in Japan and my last working day is in very near.
I have the Visa of Engineer/Humanities /International Services for 10 more months from my previous employer. Now i want to start working as a freelancer.
My skills are Automation/Macros in VBA MS Excel. Do you think i can get some work as a freelancer here. Please guide if possible. I never worked as a freelancer before.
Thanks!
Hi there Kabir, really happy to hear you found the post helpful.
To be honest I don’t know about your industry, so can’t comment there. However a few helpful ways to find work I found are:
1. Have an up to date LinkedIn Profile and put your job title as “Freelance …”, that way you’ll come up in searches for that
2. Find and join any networking groups in your industry
3. Build relationships with companies and people you want to work with
I’ve never used them personally (but I know a few friends that do), platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can be a great way to get going and get some projects.
I hope that helps! let me know if there is anything else.
Hi
Thank You for your response.
I have 2 questions though:
1)I don’t know Japanese. In your opinion what would be the best way to get some freelance projects?
2)How can i build relationships with the companies in Japan. Any piece of advise would be very helpful.
Keep up the good work. Thank you once again.
Hi Kabir,
1) In this case, best to focus on international companies in Japan – started by other foreigners. That way language isn’t a problem.
2) Reach out on LinkedIn, find people in the industry and invite them to connect.
If I were you, if you have 0 clients right now, then it could be good to get on Upwork & Fivvr platforms so you could possibly get international projects to get going. Setup an online presence, Linkedin, other social media or website showcasing yourself. At the same time start researching and making contact with international companies you want to do projects for.
I hope that helps!
Thank you so much for such a detailed post, you have explained many points so well. I have a couple of questions, I appreciate your response.
Currently I am on dependent visa, I have an Instagram account based on style and fashion posts. Though I started just as a hobby but now I am receiving paid collaboration requests (which I turned down ).
Do I need to get part time work permit in order to get these paid collaborations. If yes then is it possible to get work permit in situation when i do not have any long time project with a certain client (this sort of work is quite irregular and random ).
I have googled a lot about it but there is hardly any information in this regard.
Thanks!
Hi Riya,
Happy to hear you found this post helpful. Totally understand your situation and yes I believe you can get the work permit to be able to do some work like that. Like you said, very hard to find information on it online, from memory I think after speaking to someone at immigration I learned you can.
I was in similar situation at one point before I got the work visa – I was on a different visa (but same restrictions eg. can work part time job up until 28 hours per week.). What I did to get the “Permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted” (a long way to say “work permit”) was with that application, I gave a simple written explanation of my plan and a print out of an email of potential client asking me to do a project or for a quote. I suggest giving that a try and hopefully they’ll approve it.
You can find some more info on that work permit here: https://www.juridique.jp/visa/work_permit.php
Let me know how it goes if you chose to try.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I really appreciate the way you understood my issue.
This is a brilliant idea, I will definitely try it. Before your reply I was totally clueless, but now there is a way to work upon. I have one more doubt, can I leave some of those columns blanks, which need precise information about the job ( point no 12 and 13 in Application Form).
Thanks a lot once again.
Hi, hope you are well
With regards to the additional income (ie. the income streams not related to the main contract that gets sent to immigration when applying for the visa) does this need to be contract work that someone else is employing me to do? Or is provable income from avenues such as selling my own products online (both physical and digital), passive income from YouTube/streams/etc, profits made from investing in stocks/crypto ok as well?
Thanks in advance and all the best
Hi Anon, thanks for reaching out. Good question, so to my understanding that extra income wouldn’t hurt in showing that you have more income to support yourself – but in saying that, you are applying for visa in a certain profession, so the more work under the industry you’re applying for is going to give you much more credibility.
On a side note, also be mindful too, that if you happen to have jobs or streams of income outside of your current visa status allows, eg. instructor visa, but then you have income doing freelance video editing, that’s not going to be a good look for you. Usually you have to apply for a special work permit to engage in activities outside of the scope of your visa. If any other readers here know more about this, please post your comment.
Anyway, I hope that answers your question, let us know if there’s anything else.
Thank you so much for replying, and sorry for taking so long to reply myself
With regards to applying for permission to engage in activities outside of the scope of my visa, is this a one off application I make that allows me to engage in activities as I please, or is it something I have to apply for for each contract/source of income that falls outside the scope of my visa?
Thanks in advance and all the best
Hi Anon, yeah, that’s an important question and need to frame your application the right way.
So when you apply for that you need to show a work contract/proof of work. People on student visas do this a lot, get a part time job contract and then apply for that. But that will only cover that specific part time job.
However when I did this to be able to start doing some freelance work, for the proof of work, I showed some emails from potential clients asking me for work and a few project quotes and wrote a short explanation about what I would they were happy with that. Just make sure to frame it that you’re doing this, to support the main purpose of your current visa. As that’s the idea of having that work permit, to support you living here doing your main thing to my understanding.
Anyway, with it you can work up until 28 hours p/week which for doing freelance work, that is quite a lot of billable time. I hope that clears it all up. Let me know if there’s anything else.
Cheers
Thanks for getting back to me and for going into detail about the steps you took, it really helped me to figure out the steps that I’ll need to take with regards to getting everything I need for the visa sorted out
Thanks again for all your help!
You’re welcome! all the best, let me know how it goes and if you learn anything else along the way.
Hello! First, I want to thank you for this excellent blog post. It’s one of the most helpful ones online.
I’m currently a sole-proprietor in Japan on a one-year Engineering/Humanities Visa. My main sponsor is a Japanese company, so having a primary sponsor is not an issue.
I lost a client as they ended the project early, so I’m unable to use them anymore to help with my visa renewal.
However, I have a contract with a company in the US doing work for them. I wonder if you think it would be possible to use them to help make up the rest of the income to satisfy immigration?
I have an immigration lawyer I will consult with, but I wanted to ask the question here, too. It may help others who are wondering the same thing.
Again, thank you for this detailed blog post!
D
Hi Daniel, thanks for reaching out – that is a great question and I’m sure a lot of people wonder that.
I’m not sure if there is an official line on this (obviously the sponsoring company needs to be Japan based), but from my experience I think it does help. Twice I have supplied foreign based company quotes & contracts along with other Japan based quotes or contracts to show I have income to supplement my main sponsor work. Both times the visa got approved, so I’d have to assume it’s fine. Basically what I gathered was Japan based stuff is more credible obviously, but foreign stuff does help – as it’s giving you income to live and not be a burden here in Japan.
Please let us know what the immigration lawyer says, they hopefully can shed some more light on it for us all.
Hope that helps
Hello. 🙂
First of all, thank you for answering in advance.
My situation is, that I am working in a company full time, got my working visa, etc.
Now I started (during covid) voice-over services for advertisement etc on the platform Fiverr. Maybe you know about that platform. My Visa type is the same as yours but voice-over is a different category.
My freelancing business gets a lot of attention recently and I want to try more with it. I am still working in my company.
I am preparing my sole proprietor atm but in terms of a visa, I need a special permit. Now people are saying it’s impossible since nobody is giving you a contract. And this is true, I am my own boss and I already have a contract for my working visa in general. I just need extra permission to do some extra cash.
Also, Fiverr is an American website, so I do not have Japanese clients and everything happens for oversea customers.
Do you think I have a chance to apply for the work permit? I don’t want to give this up.
greets
nao
Hi Nao, really sorry I missed this comment.
Great to hear this post and the comments has helped you. For your situation you need to apply for the work permit to engage in things outside of your regular visa right? I think it would definitely be worth putting that application in and trying (if you haven’t already).
I have done that in the past for same kind of situation, when I did this I wrote a simple explanation saying I would do the services for different people that request my services instead of a set “part-time” job with a single company. I supplied a few copies of emails of requests and some estimates I had given as proof of potential work. I don’t remember how many examples I gave, but maybe 3 and some were definitely not from Japan and it still went through, so I think worth trying it.
I hope that helps, let us know how it goes.