Hiring Americans in the Specified Skills "Food Service Industry"! Important Points for Businesses to Know

In the restaurant industry, which is facing a serious labor shortage, it is possible to welcome U.S. citizens as "Specified Technical Skills 1". However, there are unique procedures and precautions to be taken before hiring an applicant residing overseas and starting work in Japan. Here we will explain three particularly important points.

1. 📝 "Acceptance System" required prior to employment

Businesses accepting specified skilled foreign nationals are required to comply with laws and regulations and maintain a support system.

• Membership to the Specific Skills Council:. Has jurisdiction over the food service sectorCouncil of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesMembership in the "IBJ" is mandatory.
• Establishment of support system:. A "support plan" should be established to provide living orientation, airport transportation, and other services to enable foreign employees to live and work stably in Japan. If it is difficult to implement the plan in-house,Registered Support AgenciesThe most common practice is to outsource to a
• Importance of commission agreements with registered support organizations:.If the company is unable to implement all 10 support items in-house or meet the criteria for the support system, it is necessary to outsource the implementation of support to a "registered support organization".
  If this consignment is to be made,Sign a "Support Consignment Agreement" with a registered support organization.and a copy of the contract must be submitted at the time of application for status of residence.
• Ensuring working conditions:. Wages,Equivalent to or better than Japanese nationals engaged in equivalent workand the principle of equal pay for equal work must be observed.

2. 🔑 Barriers to Employment! The "Proficiency Assessment Test" and Japanese Language Proficiency

In order for U.S. citizens to obtain the status of "Specified Technical Skills 1", they must meet the "level of proficiency" and the "level of Japanese language proficiency".

• Required Tests:.
  1. Food Service Specific Skills #1 Proficiency Measurement Test(skill level)
  2. JLPT N4 or aboveetc. (Japanese language proficiency level)
• Examination Location:.
  • Present,No food service industry skills assessment tests are conducted in the U.S.The following is a list of the most common problems with the
  • To take the exam,Japanese domesticOr you will need to travel to a specific overseas country (e.g., Philippines, Vietnam, etc.) where the exam is being conducted.

Foreign nationals who entered Japan with "Temporary Visitor" status for the purpose of taking an examination may also take the examination in Japan..

• Notes:. You must verify that the applicant has passed or is expected to pass both exams at the time of hire.

3. 📑 Important Documents for Application for Specified Technical Skills 1 Status of Residence

When employing an American abroad, a business in Japan applies to the regional immigration office for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The application requires a vast amount of documents, but the most important groups of documents are as follows.

📝 Main documents required for application

Document Category	Overview and main documents to be submitted	proposer
Application Forms and Certification Documents	Application form for Certificate of Eligibility, photo of specified skilled foreigner, passport (copy), personal health examination form, etc.	Host company/person
Specific Skill Employment Contract Relationships	A copy of the specific skill employment contract, a statement of terms and conditions of employment, and a summary of the organization to which the specific skill belongs, etc.	Accepting Company
Relation to support plan	A support plan for No. 1 specified skilled foreigner, an explanatory document regarding the support consignment contract with a registered support organization (in case of consignment), etc.	Host Company/Registered Support Organization
Host institution (company) relationship	Certificate of registered matters, documents that clarify the outline of the company, financial statements, etc.	Accepting Company
Specific Skill Applicability Relationships	Certificate of passing the food service industry specified skill No. 1 skill measurement test, certificate of passing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, etc. (for those exempted from the test, certificate of completion of technical internship, etc.)	the person himself
Other	Documents certifying membership in a specific skills council in the food service industry sector, etc.	Accepting Company

🔑 Overview of the application process

1. conclusion of employment contract(with the person in question)
2. Advance guidance provided(In person)
3. Application for Certificate of Eligibility(To the Immigration and Immigration Control Agency)
4. COE Grant(Examination period: about 3 months)
5. Send the original COE to the person in question(To the U.S.)
6. Visa Application(In person at the Japanese diplomatic mission in the U.S.)
7. Arrival in Japan and start of employment(Obtained status of residence for specified skills)

💡 points:. Since even one incomplete application for these documents will delay the screening process, we strongly recommend that businesses applying for the specified skills for the first time consult with a specialized administrative scrivener or registered support organization for support.

References:Immigration and Immigration Control Agency Specified Technical Skills System

📌 Summary

When hiring Americans with specific skills,Preparation for corporate acceptanceThoroughlyHow to take the examand then check theComplete documentation required for complex COE applications.is the key to success.