Your Guide to Becoming an Uber Eats Delivery Partner in Japan (for Foreigners)

The Gig Economy in Japan

Working as an Uber Eats delivery partner has become a popular way to earn money flexibly in Japan. With a presence in thousands of cities worldwide and over a million restaurant partners, Uber Eats offers a dynamic platform for those seeking to be their own boss. For foreigners living in Japan, it can be an excellent opportunity to earn income, explore the city, and work on a schedule that suits you.

The platform’s growth has been substantial. In 2024, Uber Eats generated $13.7 billion in revenue globally, a significant increase from previous years, with gross bookings reaching $74.6 billion. This guide is designed specifically for foreign nationals, providing a clear, step-by-step process to get started, understand the rules, and maximize your earnings through programs like referrals.

Who Can Deliver? Key Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria, which are particularly specific for non-Japanese citizens. Meeting these requirements is the first and most important step.

Basic Eligibility

All applicants, regardless of nationality, must meet these baseline requirements:

Be at least 18 years old.
Possess basic Japanese communication skills to handle interactions during deliveries.
Not be a government employee, such as a member of the Self-Defense Forces, who is prohibited from holding a second job.

Crucial Visa & Residence Status Requirements

This is the most critical section for foreign applicants. Due to Japanese immigration law, Uber Eats Japan has a strict policy on which residence statuses are eligible to sign up as independent contractors.

Following a police investigation into illegal work by individuals with overstayed visas, Uber Eats Japan suspended new sign-ups for foreign students in September 2021 to enhance compliance.

As a result, only individuals with the following statuses of residence are currently eligible for new registration:

Permanent Resident (永住者)
Special Permanent Resident (特別永住者)
Spouse or Child of a Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)
Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
Long-term Resident (定住者)
Designated Activities (Working Holiday) (特定活動・ワーキングホリデー)

Important: Statuses such as Student (留学) or other Designated Activities visas that come with a 28-hour weekly work limit are not eligible for new sign-ups. This is because the work of a delivery partner is considered an independent business activity, not part-time employment under an employer, which falls outside the scope of the “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” (資格外活動許可) for these visa types.

Getting Started: The Sign-Up Process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can begin the registration process. It’s straightforward and can be done mostly through the Uber Driver app.

Step 1: Create Your Account

First, download the Uber Driver app. When creating your account, ensure you enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport and residence card. You can only sign up for one account in your own name.

Step 2: Choose Your Delivery Method & Upload Documents

You’ll need to select how you plan to make deliveries and upload clear photos of the required documents. All documents must be in your name and not expired.

Bicycle: Profile Photo, Identification Card (Residence Card, etc.), ATM Card for payments.
Moped (under 125cc): All of the above, plus Driver’s License, Photo of License Plate, and Certificate of Liability Insurance.
Motorcycle (125cc and over) or Kei-car: All of the above, plus proof of optional insurance and the vehicle inspection certificate (車検証) or light motor vehicle certificate (軽自動車届出済証).

For foreign nationals, the specific ID and work permit documents required depend on your residence status. Generally, you will need to upload photos of:

Identification: Front of your Residence Card (在留カード) and your Passport.
Proof of Work Permit: Back of your Residence Card.

For those on a Working Holiday visa, you will also need to provide your Designation Certificate (指定書).

Step 3: Account Activation & Physical Document Check

After uploading your documents, Uber will review them, which can take up to 72 hours. You’ll also need to complete a short road safety quiz.

For all foreign nationals, a final, mandatory step is a physical document check. You must visit an Uber Eats Compliance Center (also known as a Greenlight Hub) to have your original Residence Card and Passport verified in person. You will receive an email with details on how to complete this step after your online registration.

Understanding Your Earnings

Your earnings as an Uber Eats partner are composed of delivery fares and customer tips. The system is designed to be transparent, showing you key information before you accept a delivery.

How Fares Are Calculated

Before you accept any trip, the app will show you the minimum amount you will earn, the restaurant’s location, the customer’;s drop-off point, and the estimated total time. The fare consists of:

Base Amount: Calculated based on estimated delivery time and distance, including whether there are multiple pickups or drop-offs.
Trip Supplement: An additional amount that may be added during busy times, in areas with high demand, or when there is heavy traffic or long expected wait times at the restaurant.

Importantly, the fare you are shown upfront is the minimum you will receive. If the trip takes significantly longer than estimated, the fare may be adjusted upwards automatically.

The Power of Tips

Customers can add a tip through the app after the delivery is complete. You keep 100% of all tips you receive. They are a significant part of your total earnings and a direct reward for great service.

Potential Earnings in Japan

Earnings can vary greatly depending on the city, time of day, and how many hours you work. While Uber doesn’t guarantee hourly wages, anonymous data can provide a rough idea. According to user-submitted data on Glassdoor, the average hourly pay for an Uber Eats Delivery Driver in Tokyo is around ¥4,017. It’s important to treat this as an estimate, not a fixed rate.

The chart below illustrates potential weekly earnings based on this average for different levels of weekly commitment.

The Uber Eats Japan Referral Program: Earn Extra Money

One of the best ways to boost your income, especially when you’re starting, is through the Uber Eats Referral Program. By inviting friends to become delivery partners, you can earn a cash reward.

How It Works

The concept is simple. You share your unique referral code with a friend. When they sign up using your code and complete a specific number of deliveries within a set timeframe, you receive a referral bonus. The new driver may also be eligible for a starting bonus, depending on the current promotion.

Finding and Sharing Your Invite Code

You can find and share your personal invite code directly from the Uber Driver app:

Open the app and go to the “Earnings” tab.
Tap on “Invite and earn” or a similar option.
From there, you can copy your code or share a link directly via text message, email, or social media.

Tracking Your Referrals and Rewards

The app allows you to track the progress of your referrals. You can see who has signed up and how many trips they have completed. Once your friend meets the requirements, you’ll be notified, and the reward will be added to your weekly payment statement, typically appearing under “Miscellaneous” or “Other Payments” within one to two weeks.

Referral reward amounts vary by city. If you refer someone in a different city within Japan, you will earn the referral bonus offered in their city, not yours.

Staying Safe and Insured on the Road

As an independent contractor, your safety is your responsibility. However, Uber provides support and insurance coverage to protect you while you’re working.

Uber’s Insurance Coverage

In Japan, Uber provides an insurance program for its delivery partners at no additional cost. This coverage is active from the moment you accept a delivery request until you complete the delivery. It includes:

Third-party liability: Covers bodily injury and property damage to others in case of an accident.
Personal injury compensation: Covers your own medical expenses for injuries sustained during a delivery.

This provides a crucial safety net while you are on the road.

Safety Best Practices

Always prioritize safety. Obey all traffic laws for the vehicle you are using. If you are delivering by bicycle, wearing a helmet is strongly encouraged. Uber even offers a “;HelmetClub” with benefits for partners who wear them. In case of an accident, ensure everyone is safe, contact emergency services if necessary, and report the incident to Uber through the app’s Safety Toolkit.

Ready to Start? Join with a Referral Code

Becoming an Uber Eats delivery partner in Japan can be a rewarding experience, offering flexibility and a great way to earn. By understanding the specific requirements for foreign nationals and leveraging tools like the referral program, you can set yourself up for success.

If you found this guide helpful and are ready to begin your journey, you can use the referral link below to sign up. This helps support the creation of more guides like this and gets you started on the right path.