Can You Work on a Spouse Visa in Japan? What the Law Says
Published 2026-10-25
This article explains whether you can work in Japan when you hold the spouse status, why, and what you should still be careful about. In short: yes. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan says holders of the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status have no limit on the type of work under the Immigration Control Act. You do not need "permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted" (資格外活動許可). But the status is based on your marriage, so living as a married couple still matters.
People often say "spouse visa." The official name is Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等). For how to get this status, see our spouse visa article. This article is only about work.
Can I work with the spouse status?
Yes. The Agency says there is no limit on the type of work (職種) for this status under the Immigration Control Act.
In its Q&A for employers (revised July 2026), the Immigration Services Agency writes that people who hold one of these four statuses have no limit on work or type of job under the Immigration Control Act:
- Permanent Resident (永住者)
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
- Long-Term Resident (定住者)
This means you can, for example:
- Work full-time or part-time
- Work in a factory, shop, restaurant, office, care facility or hotel
- Change jobs without asking immigration
- Work more than 28 hours a week
- Have more than one job
The Immigration Control Act does not decide your working hours or the type of job for this status. Of course, other Japanese laws, such as labor laws, still apply to you and your employer in the same way as to everyone.
Why there is no limit: Table I and Table II
The work limits in the law apply to statuses in Appended Table I, and the spouse status is in Appended Table II.
The Immigration Control Act (出入国管理及び難民認定法) sorts statuses of residence into two tables.
| Appended Table I (別表第一) | Appended Table II (別表第二) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is based on | The activity you do in Japan (work, study, training) | Your personal position (身分又は地位) |
| Examples | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training, Student, Dependent | Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident |
| Work limits in Article 19 | Yes | No |
Article 19 of the Act says that people with a Table I status must not do paid work outside their status, unless they receive permission. For example, a person on a work visa may only do the type of work that fits the visa, and a student cannot work without permission.
Article 19 does not mention Table II. Table II statuses are based on who you are, here the spouse of a Japanese national, not on a specific job. That is why the law does not limit the kind of work.
Do I need permission to work part-time?
No. "Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted" (資格外活動許可) is for Table I statuses, so you do not need it.
Article 19, paragraph 2 of the Act says the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency can give this permission to people with a Table I status. This is the permission that students and dependents usually get to work part-time, normally up to 28 hours a week.
The Agency's employer Q&A also lists it separately: holders of Student or Dependent status can work within the range of their permission. Holders of the spouse status are in the group with no limit.
So once your status has changed to Spouse or Child of Japanese National, you do not apply for this permission.
What to check on your residence card
Your residence card has a field showing whether there is a work limit, and employers are told to check it.
The front of the residence card (在留カード) has a field called "work restriction" (就労制限の有無). The Agency's explanation of the residence card lists these entries:
| Entry on the card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No work restriction (就労制限なし) | No limit on the type of work |
| Work only within the status (在留資格に基づく就労活動のみ可) | Work only in the activities of the status |
| Work only as designated (指定書により指定された就労活動のみ可) | Work only in activities named in a designation (for Designated Activities) |
| Work not permitted (就労不可) | Normally no work; check the back for permission |
The Agency's Q&A tells employers to check a person's status, period of stay and work restriction on the residence card. So when you start a new job, your employer will likely ask to see your card.
If your card does not show what you expect, ask the immigration office or the Foreign Residents Comprehensive Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター) at 0570-013904.
If you are changing from another visa
Until your change of status is approved, you are still on your old status, so its work rules still apply.
Many women first live in Japan as a student, a technical intern or a worker, then marry and apply for a Change of Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可申請). Article 20, paragraph 6 of the Act says that if your period of stay ends while the decision is pending, you can continue to stay with your current status until the decision, or until 2 months after your old expiry date, whichever comes first.
This means:
- If you are a student, the limits of your permission (normally 28 hours a week) still apply while you wait.
- If you hold a work status, you can still only do the work that fits that status while you wait.
- The new freedom to work starts after the change is approved and you receive the new residence card.
Article 73-2 of the Act punishes employers who make foreign nationals work illegally. Working outside your current status can cause problems for both you and your employer, so please wait for the new card.
For the full steps of the change, see our spouse visa article.
Things to be careful about
Work is free, but the status itself depends on your marriage, so a few rules still matter.
Living as a married couple
The law lets immigration cancel the spouse status if you have not lived as a spouse for 6 months or more without a good reason.
This is Article 22-4, paragraph 1, item 7 of the Act. It is about your married life, not about your job. Working, even full-time or far from home, is not a problem by itself. But if you live apart from your husband for a long time, it could become a question. The Agency has published examples of good reasons, such as living apart to care for children while sharing household money. For more, see what happens to your spouse visa if you divorce.
Keep records of your work and payments
Keeping your work, tax and insurance records in order helps with later applications.
When you applied for the spouse status, immigration asked how your household would pay for living in Japan. Work can be part of that picture. Keep documents such as your employment certificate and tax certificates.
Taxes and public insurance are separate from the immigration rules in this article, so ask your employer or city office about your own case. But they matter for immigration later: the Agency's permanent residency guidelines count paying taxes, public pension and public medical insurance on time as a "public duty," and late payment is normally viewed negatively. See permanent residency for spouses.
If the marriage ends
After a divorce, the work freedom of the spouse status does not last forever, because the status itself depends on the marriage.
You must report a divorce within 14 days, and you will need to think about another status. This is explained in what happens to your spouse visa if you divorce.
FAQ
Do I need permission to work more than 28 hours a week?
No. The 28-hour rule is part of the permission given to Table I statuses such as Student and Dependent. The spouse status is in Table II, and the Agency says it has no limit on the type of work.
Can I work at night, for example in a restaurant or bar?
The Immigration Control Act does not limit the type of work for the spouse status. Other Japanese laws, such as labor laws and the laws for each business, still apply to everyone. If you are unsure about a job, ask the Foreign Residents Comprehensive Information Center or a labor office.
Can I start my own business?
The Agency's Q&A says there is no limit on work under the Immigration Control Act for this status. Business rules, licenses and taxes are handled under other laws. Ask your city office or tax office about those.
My employer says I need a work visa. What should I do?
Show your residence card and the work restriction field. If it says "no work restriction" (就労制限なし), the type of work is not limited. Your employer can also call the Foreign Residents Comprehensive Information Center at 0570-013904.
Summary
- With the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status (日本人の配偶者等), there is no limit on the type of work under the Immigration Control Act.
- The reason: work limits in Article 19 apply to Table I statuses, and the spouse status is in Table II.
- You do not need permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可).
- While a change of status is pending, your old status and its work rules still apply.
- The status depends on your marriage. Not living as a spouse for 6 months or more without a good reason can lead to cancellation.
- Rules depend on each person's situation. In the end, please check with your regional immigration office.
References
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Q&A on applications for working statuses (就労資格の在留諸申請に関連してお問い合わせの多い事項について（Q&A）, July 2026): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001344550.pdf (Checked on October 25, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, What is the residence card? (「在留カード」はどういうカード？): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/faq/newimmiact_4_point.html (Checked on October 25, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-8.html (Checked on October 25, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (永住許可に関するガイドライン): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html (Checked on October 25, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, examples of good reasons for not living as a spouse (配偶者の身分を有する者としての活動を行わないことに正当な理由がある場合等): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/newimmiact_1_info_120703_01.html (Checked on October 25, 2026)
- e-Gov Laws and Regulations, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Articles 19, 20, 22-4, 73-2, Appended Tables I and II): https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319 (Checked on October 25, 2026)
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