Side Hustles: Teaching English on a Japanese Work Visa

So, you’ve landed in Japan with a valuable skill set—perhaps a degree in language teaching—and you’re looking to share your knowledge and earn some extra income. The idea of offering private language lessons online or in-person seems like a perfect fit. But then you hit the bureaucratic wall of visa regulations, and things get confusing fast.

You’re not alone. Many qualified educators find themselves in this exact situation, eager to teach but unsure about the legal framework.

Understanding the “Permission to Engage in Activity Outside Status”

First, let’s clarify the key term: 資格外活動許可 (Shikakugai Katsudō Kyoka). This is the official permission from immigration that allows you to take on work outside the scope of your primary visa.

• The Core Principle: This permission is designed for side jobs with a clear, contractual relationship with an employer.
• The Common Hurdle: Truly freelance, private client work—where you invoice individuals directly—often falls into a gray area that this permission may not explicitly cover.

This creates the central dilemma: Is teaching private lessons actually illegal?

The Gray Area of Private Instruction

The confusion arises because the system is built around traditional employment. When you call immigration, they will rightly point you toward the official channel: get the permission for contracted side work.

However, the real-world practice is more nuanced:

• Many long-term residents on work visas do teach private students.
• The critical, non-negotiable factor is proper tax reporting. Declaring all your income through the National Tax Agency (NTA) is paramount.
• The primary risk isn’t necessarily from teaching itself, but from not reporting the income. Unreported work is a serious visa violation.

Think of it this way: The visa permission is your gate pass to legally engage in extra work. Filing taxes is your proof that you are complying financially with that work. You ideally need both, but the absence of the former makes the latter absolutely essential.

What Are Your Practical Options?

Given this landscape, here are pathways to consider:

1. The School Route (Safest) Applying for the permission to work at a small eikaiwa (conversation school) or community center is the most straightforward and secure option. It provides a clear contract, and the permission process is designed for this.

2. The Platform Route (Proceed with Caution) Teaching through an online platform can sometimes simplify things. If the platform acts as your official employer (handling payments, providing a contract), you may be able to obtain the permission for this specific “side job.” You must confirm the platform’s structure with immigration.

3. The Private Lesson Path (Requires Diligence) If you choose to take on private students directly, you must be meticulous.

• Consult a Professional: Speak with an immigration lawyer or a seasoned tax accountant (zeirishi) for personalized advice.
• Report Everything: File your taxes correctly as self-employed income (jigyō shūnyū).
• Keep Records: Maintain detailed logs of your hours, payments, and student agreements.

Key Takeaways for the Educator-Traveler

• Clarity Over Assumption: Never assume common practice equals legality. Do your own due diligence.
• Taxes are Non-Negotiable: Proper tax filing is your strongest layer of protection, regardless of how you earn income.
• Seek Expert Guidance: A one-hour consultation with a professional can save you immense stress and potential legal trouble.

The desire to teach is wonderful, and your skills are needed. Navigating the system carefully ensures you can share your passion for language without compromising your adventure in Japan. Start with official channels, understand the risks, and build your side hustle on a foundation of compliance.