Must Read Before Hiring! A Complete Guide to the Administrative Schedule for Hiring Specially Skilled Foreigners in the Food Service Industry

August 1, 2025October 12, 2025

Foreign nationals with specific skills in the food service industry

Introduction

The restaurant industry continues to face a serious labor shortage. One solution is the employment of "specified skilled foreign nationals.
However, the acceptance of specific skilled personnel requiresComplex procedures and systematic schedulingis required.

In this article,Administrative schedule from recruitment planning to the start of workin specific chronological order.

TOC

Review the basics of specific skills

The "Tokutei Gijutsu I (Food Service Industry)" is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals with certain skills and Japanese language ability to work as an immediate asset to the company.
To be eligible to work in the food service industry, the following two requirements must be met

The foreigner himself,successful examineeorPersons who have completed Technical Internship No. 2be (formal, literary)
The employer (company),Requirements for Host Institutionsmeets (e.g., council membership).

Administrative schedule from recruitment to the start of work (overall picture)

The following is,When employing a foreigner residing in JapanThis is a typical process for Longer lead times are required when hiring expatriates.

phase	Contents	Time required (approximate)
(1) Advance preparation	Creation of job offers, recruitment of candidates who pass examinations, interviews, and employment offers	2-4 weeks
(2) Council membership	Procedures for joining the Food Service Industry Specific Skills Council	Approx. 1 week
(iii) Support plan development	Outsource to a registered support organization OR Create in-house	1 to 2 weeks
(4) Application for change of status of residence	Application to the Immigration Bureau (including preparation of necessary documents)	About 1 to 2 months for screening
(5) Start of employment	After residence card is issued, employment contract comes into effect and work begins.	same day possible

Explanation of key points for each phase

🔹 ① Advance preparation (recruitment activities)

Verification of proof of passing the proficiency test and Japanese language test is required.
During the interview, we also check Japanese language skills and understanding of the explanation of the support plan.
Prepare a Statement of Conditions of Employment (form for specific skills)

✅ Point: Ideally, companies unfamiliar with hiring foreigners should begin consulting with support organizations and administrative scriveners here.

(i) Membership in the Food Service Industry Specific Skills Council

Companies that employ with specific skills,Always join a councilThe following is a list of the most important factors that need to be taken into account when making a purchase.
After applying for membership,Approximately 1 week to issue membership cardThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

✅ Point: A written pledge and business summary must be prepared prior to application. If you want to hurry, check in advance to ensure a smooth application process.

(iii) Creation of a support plan

The receiving company is obligated to provide living and other support to the foreigner.
Outsourced to a registered support organizationor **implement in-house (with accreditation requirements)**.

✅ Point: Even when outsourcing to a registered support organization, preparation is required, including preparation of an outsourcing agreement and plan.

🔹 ④ Application for permission for change of status of residence

Apply at the immigration office with jurisdiction. More than 10 documents may be required.
Average review period is 1 to 2 monthsCrowded season may be longer. May be even longer during busy periods.

✅ Point: Incomplete or insufficient explanation will stop the review process. Avoid risk with the support of an experienced administrative scrivener.

🔹 ⑤ Issuance of resident card → Start of employment

After the permit is granted, a new resident card is issued,Enabled to workThe following is a list of the most common problems with the
Activate the employment contract and go through procedures such as social insurance enrollment and resident registration.

✅ Point: It is easier to schedule the date of issuance of the residence card as the date of commencement of employment.

Common mistakes and countermeasures

Example of Failure	counter-measure
The screening process took so long that the desired date of employment could not be met.	With plenty of time to spare.Procedure started 2 to 3 months in advanceindicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.
Returned for incomplete documentation	Ask an expert to do a preliminary check.
I forgot to join the council.	Prior to employmentChecklist of RequirementsUtilizing the

Summary｜The key to smooth hiring is a "backward schedule.

How to hire a foreigner with specific skills in the food service industry,Requires coordination and preparation with multiple agenciesIt is.
Moving forward with a "ready-to-hire" mindset can lead to unforeseen delays.

👉 Ideally, start preparing 2-3 months before you plan to hire.It is.
👉 Work with experienced administrative scriveners and registered support organizations to eliminate administrative hassles and concerns.

✅Consultation is available.

Our firm has been working on the acceptance of foreign nationals with specific skills in the food service industry.
One-stop service for visa application, council membership, and support plan preparationThe company is doing so.

Please feel free to contact us.