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Is it permissible for a foreign national residing in Japan under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (技術・人文知識・国際業務) status of residence to work at a convenience store?

Foreign nationals holding the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” residence status are not allowed to work at a convenience store.

Below is an explanation.

  1. Basic legal concept regarding convenience store work

The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status is granted to those engaged in work that requires specialized skills, academic knowledge, or creativity.

Specifically, it covers:
Activities that involve skills or knowledge in the fields of natural sciences such as science or engineering, or in the fields of humanities such as law, economics, or sociology; or activities requiring sensitivity or thinking based on foreign cultures, carried out under a contract with public or private organizations in Japan.
(Excluding activities listed under the “Professor,” “Artist,” or “Journalist” categories in the Table (1) of the Immigration Control Act, as well as “Business Manager,” “Legal/Accounting Services,” “Medical Services,” “Researcher,” “Instructor,” “IntraCompany Transferee,” “Care Worker,” and “Entertainer” categories.)

Examples include mechanical engineers, interpreters, designers, language teachers at private companies, and marketing professionals.

Convenience store work does not fall under this definition.
Therefore, applications for a work activity plan based on convenience store duties will not be approved for this residence status.
Similarly, a convenience store cannot hire someone with this status even for a parttime position.

  1. Possibility of working under “Permission for Engaging in Activity Other Than That Permitted”

In large cities, many foreign nationals work at convenience stores.
Of course, they do so legally, under the following types of residence statuses:

2.1. Working under Permission for Other Activities (資格外活動)

Foreign nationals with “Student” or “Dependent” residence status may work at a convenience store if they obtain permission for engaging in activities outside their permitted status.
Although this permission generally does not limit the type of work (except for adult entertainment businesses), it limits working hours to 28 hours per week.
Exceeding 28 hours is a violation of the law.

2.2. Working under status categories based on personal status or position

Foreign nationals holding residence statuses such as Permanent Resident, LongTerm Resident, or Spouse of Japanese National have no work restrictions.
Therefore, they may work at convenience stores without limitations, and there are no hour restrictions unlike with Permission for Other Activities.

2.3. Working under “Designated Activities”

Some holders of the “Designated Activities” (特定活動) status—such as those who have applied for refugee status—may work at convenience stores.
However, because “Designated Activities” includes many subcategories, some of which do not permit employment, it is necessary to confirm the specific reason for which the status was granted.

  1. Whether a foreign national with “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status can obtain Permission for Other Activities to work at a convenience store

Even if a foreign national with this status obtains Permission for Other Activities, they still cannot work in convenience store jobs.