I (35F) live and work in Tokyo on a work (instructor) visa. My hobby is influencing, and I went to immigration the other week to submit the Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than Visa Status. I brought all the forms: the paper from my job approving the outside work, passport, zairyu card, and a document I typed in Japanese explaining what I do as an influencer and how I want to start making money from it on a freelance-like basis.
They sent me to the W1 counter, or consultation counter. When it was finally my turn I gave everything and explained the situation to him. Basically, he went to the back to check stuff and came to clear things up with me multiple times, and we ended up having this back and forth:
Basically, if I don't have a contracted job, I don't need to submit this document. They need a contract to accept the application. He was really confused as to the concept of freelancing. He understood the word "freelance," but when I told him that each project/job would have a different contract, he told me I'd need to come back to submit this document every time, and kept asking who writes the contract (each new company). So I confirmed that if I don't have a contract, I don't have to submit this document even if I get paid, he agreed. I then asked "If I don't submit this document and I pay taxes on the income, is that okay?" to which he replied "それは分からないですね" (I don't know that one). But I again confirmed that I don't need to submit the document without a working contract even if I get paid.
I also told him about a friend in another city in the same situation; the immigration office there was also confused, but accepted her application; she's still waiting on an answer a few months later. He was curious about that case and asked the result, and I said I hadn't heard, so he still wouldn't accept my application.
Anyway, I'm not sure if this guy was telling me under the table work is fine or what… it's basically a non-answer.
What are other influencers or freelancers with other full-time jobs doing? Can I pay my taxes on my influencing income and not get deported without receiving permission for outside work?
by Fancy_Pea_4944