{"id":1253,"date":"2025-07-15T08:21:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T23:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1253"},"modified":"2025-07-15T08:21:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T23:21:06","slug":"work-authorization-for-foreign-nationals-applying-for-refugee-status-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1253","title":{"rendered":"Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals Applying for Refugee Status in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2025-07-09 An article in The Guardian (Give asylum seekers the right to work in Britain<\/u><\/a>) discusses working while applying for asylum in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.\u00a0General Rule: No Work Authorization During Refugee Application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, foreign nationals applying for refugee status in Japan are not permitted to work while their application is pending. Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, foreign nationals must hold a status of residence that allows for employment in order to legally engage in work activities. However, many refugee applicants either do not have such a status or have overstayed their visas, thus making them ineligible to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2.\u00a0Exceptions: When Work is Permitted<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are, however, exceptions in which foreign nationals may be allowed to work while their refugee status application is under review. These include the following cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) Applicants with a Valid Status of Residence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the applicant is already residing in Japan under a status that allows for work\u2014such as \u201cEngineer\/Specialist in Humanities\/International Services,\u201d \u201cDependent,\u201d or \u201cStudent\u201d\u2014and applies for refugee recognition during that period, they may continue to work (within the scope permitted by their status) until the expiration of that status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if they wish to remain in Japan beyond that period, they must apply for an extension or change of status. Whether or not that application is approved determines if they can continue working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) Special Permission under \u201cDesignated Activities (Employment Permitted)\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In cases where the applicant does not possess a valid status at the time of application or has lost it, the Minister of Justice may, at their discretion, grant a \u201cDesignated Activities\u201d status that permits employment. This measure was introduced in 2010 as a humanitarian policy for applicants who are facing economic hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3.\u00a0Conditions and Duration of Work Permission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(1) After 6 Months of Pending Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the Ministry of Justice\u2019s guidelines, if six months have passed since the refugee application was filed without a decision being made, the applicant may apply for a status change to \u201cDesignated Activities (Employment Permitted)\u201d, provided certain conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) Conditions for Eligibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To qualify for employment permission under this status, the following conditions typically must be satisfied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n