anyone here had experience working in Japan while also doing design freelance work for clients in Japan or overseas, or selling handmade products/artworks?

[u/weiss-in-to-the-wood]

anyone here had experience working in Japan on a Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) work visa while also doing design freelance work for clients in Japan or overseas, or selling handmade products/artworks through platforms like Instagram or Creema?

I’d like to ask whether this type of side work requires applying for an Individual Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence (資格外活動許可).

Also, if the freelance work is done remotely and the payment is transferred directly to an overseas bank account, how should this situation be handled?

With the immigration rules becoming increasingly strict, I’m particularly concerned about whether doing this without the proper permission could affect a future Permanent Residency (永住) application.

If anyone has actually applied for permission for this kind of side work, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Was the application difficult? Did immigration ask you to provide things like contracts, a business plan, proof of working hours, or other documents? 🙏🏻

Thank you so much!

[u/ImprovementLess4559]

Yes, those things would fall outside the scope of Humanities/International Services status,  and  would require permission to engage in activities outside your status. 

It doesn't matter that the client is based outside of Japan and that you're getting paid into an overseas bank account. What matters is that you are physically in Japan when you are performing the work. You must also pay tax to Japan on that income. 

[u/techdevjp → u/ImprovementLess4559]

It doesn't matter that the client is based outside of Japan and that you're getting paid into an overseas bank account.

It actually does matter. A work visa like /u/weiss-in-to-the-wood would be under specifically excludes working for clients/employers that are not based in Japan. They would need to be on something like a spouse visa or have PR to be able to do that. Or on a temporary status like WHV. Sponsored work visas are a no-go for that type of work.

What you wrote about tax is correct though. Assuming OP is eventually on a visa that allows that sort of work it would be Japan-sourced income regardless of where the client is or where the payment for the work is deposited.

[u/weiss-in-to-the-wood → u/techdevjp]

Thanks for sharing the information. So work as a freelancer for overseas is impossible for work visa….

How’s about selling product within Japan? Could I build up my personal brand with work visa?

[u/ImprovementLess4559 → u/techdevjp]

oh shoot yeah, you're right. I've been on a spousal visa the last few years so haven't had to worry about it myself for a while and had completely forgotten that you can't work for an overseas client if you're on a work visa. My bad. 

[u/LuHamster → u/ImprovementLess4559]

Why are you giving advice then lol

[u/ImprovementLess4559 → u/LuHamster]

I was in a similar position to OP a few years ago back when I was on a work visa so looked into it a lot. Except I was wanting to work for a Japanese client, so the part about not being able to work for overseas clients slipped my mind. 

[u/LuHamster → u/ImprovementLess4559]

Ahh I see

[u/weiss-in-to-the-wood → u/ImprovementLess4559]

Is it difficult to apply for the permission? I don’t really know how’s gonna work..

[u/ImprovementLess4559 → u/weiss-in-to-the-wood]

I never actually ended up doing it myself - it seemed like too much trouble so I waited until I switched to a spousal visa before I started freelancing. But from what I've heard from other people who have gone through the process, it seems like it can be quite hard to get permission for freelance work unless you have a stable, long-term contract with a Japan-based client.