Part-Time Work in Japan vs Korea: Student Rules (2026)
TL;DR
Japan (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/work-in-japan/part-time-jobs/ Korea (official): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/work/aboutForeignerEmploymentSystem.do Korea visa verification tool:…
20 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
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Q: Can I work part-time while studying in Japan or Korea?
A: Often yes, but only if you follow the official conditions for your student status and get the required permissions. This guide is intentionally “source-linked”: it tells you where to verify the rules and what to check before you accept a job.
TL;DR - Japan (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/work-in-japan/part-time-jobs/ - Korea (official): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/work/aboutForeignerEmploymentSystem.do - Korea visa verification tool: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10101 - Don’t plan your budget assuming part-time work will cover everything.
Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-20. This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Always verify your current conditions on official pages and follow your university’s international office guidance.
1) Japan: the official rules to read first
Start here (Study in Japan, official):
That page explicitly highlights:
- you may need specific permission before working,
- there are conditions you must follow,
- and violating conditions can have serious consequences.
It also warns against unrealistic financial planning that relies on part-time work alone.
2) Korea: the official rules to read first
Start here (Study in Korea, official):
That page includes a section on:
- part-time work permits for international students,
- eligibility conditions, and
- permissible hours (with caveats and references to official sources).
For visa-category verification, use the Korea Visa Portal’s Visa Navigator:
