2025 Latest Edition on Recruiting Foreign Nationals | Hotel and Restaurant Staff Recruitment Methods and Retention Support Know-How

The presence of foreign staff is becoming increasingly important in the recruitment process in the hotel and food service industries.

As inbound demand recovers, personnel with language skills and multicultural understanding will be essential.

However, hiring foreign staff does not end with simply posting a job posting.

A wide range of practical work is involved, from confirming residence status and formulating interview standards to providing training and living support after acceptance.

In this article“Foreign Recruitment 2025 Latest Edition”This article will explain how to recruit foreign staff in the hotel and restaurant industries, along with the specific process, required residence status, and know-how to support their settlement.

Human resources personnel and managers in the hotel and restaurant industries who are facing a shortage of personnel should definitely take note of this.

2025 Latest! Basic process for hiring foreign staff

When hiring foreign staff, in addition to general recruitment activities, consideration must be given to legal procedures and training.

Below is a summary of the recruitment process that is actually carried out in the hotel and restaurant industries.

① Clarifying recruitment needs

First, ask for it yourselfJob type, work content, required language levelLet's organize it.

In a hotel, typical examples would include "staff at the front desk who can handle check-in duties while also acting as an interpreter" or "staff who can serve customers in English at the hotel restaurant."

In the food and beverage industry, candidates include "people with N3 level or above who can deal with customers as hall staff" and "staff with N4 level or above who can handle preparation and cooking support."

in this way,Specify the job type, job content, and language ability requirementsThis will prevent mismatches with applicants and increase the success rate of recruitment.

② Selecting a recruitment channel

There are multiple options for recruiting foreign staff.

• Job recruitment media specializing in foreigners
• Recruitment agencies and temp agencies
• Partnerships with overseas Japanese language schools and local universities

Especially in the hotel and restaurant industry,Since many companies require people who can start working immediately, securing people with work experience through temporary staffing agencies and recruitment agencies is a way to do this.is effective.

③ Interview ~ Japanese language check

The most important thing when hiring foreign staff isJapanese ability.

• If customer service is involved: N3 or above is recommended
• Backstage work such as in the kitchen: N4 level is also possible
   

During an interview, it is essential to check not only the resume and career history, but also the candidate's Japanese responses, smile, and customer service attitude.

④ Visa application and confirmation of residence status

Once you have been selected for employment, you will need to confirm and apply for your residence status. Since the scope of work you can do varies depending on your status, such as specific skills, engineer, humanities specialist, or international services, it is important to check in advance.

If you make a mistake here, your application will be rejected after you are hired, and the company will also bear the risk.

⑤ Preparation for acceptance (training, housing, and life support)

After being hired, not only do they need to undergo job training but they also need support with their daily lives. Providing detailed support, such as finding housing, explaining lifestyle habits, and assistance with setting up bank accounts and mobile phone contracts, can make a big difference in retention rates.

If we try to complete everything in-house, it will take a huge amount of time to process visas and provide living support.In particular, for companies hiring foreigners for the first time, understanding the system and building a support system will be a major burden.

In such situations, if you use a temporary staffing agency or registered support organization, you can leave all the support from recruitment to settling in to them, allowing you to hire foreigners with peace of mind.

reference:Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: Notification Status of Foreign Employment Status (Reiwa 6 Edition)

Practical knowledge of residence status and visas required for hiring foreigners

When hiring foreign staff, you should always check the following:"Residence status (visa)".

When working in the hotel or restaurant industry, there are only a few types of residence status available, and the range of duties that can be performed varies depending on the status.

If you don't understand the system correctly, you may find yourself in a situation where you are unable to do a certain job after being hired.A status of residence that is particularly relevant to the hotel and food service industryI will explain.

Specified Skilled Worker (Accommodation/Dining)

This is a new residence status that was established in 2019 and is now the main method of hiring foreigners in the hotel and restaurant industries.

• Accommodation sector: Front desk work, customer service, and services at the hotel restaurant are included.
• Food service industry: Covers a wide range of roles including hall staff, kitchen assistants, and dishwashing.
  

The biggest feature of specific skills is"Blue-collar work, including on-site work, is permitted.".

This is an area that was difficult to achieve with previous residence statuses, and has become a viable option for the hotel and restaurant industries to secure human resources.

reference:Immigration Services Agency "About the Specified Skilled Worker System"

Technical/Humanities/International Services (commonly known as "Technical/Humanities")

This is a residence status for so-called white-collar workers.

At the hotel"Customer service with interpretation at the front desk," "overseas marketing," and "public relations"This applies to jobs that require specialization, such as:

However, simple labor and cleaning work are not permitted, so when hiring, you must carefully check whether the work falls within the scope of this residence status.

reference:Immigration Services Agency Residence status "Engineer, Humanities, International Services"

Study Abroad (Part-time Job)

This qualification is obtained by international students attending universities and vocational schools in Japan and allows them to work part-time under certain conditions.

• Work hours limit: 28 hours per week (up to 40 hours per week during long holidays)
• Usage example: Relatively short-term customer service work such as restaurant hall staff and serving food in hotel restaurants
  

International students are highly motivated and eager to learn Japanese, but due to shift restrictions"Peak-time fighting power"It is realistic to use it as such.

▶About the 28-hour rule for part-time work for international studentsThis articleAlso check

Important points about visas (status of residence)

The system and applicable occupations are reviewed and changed every year. There is also discussion about expanding the scope of specific skills in 2025, which may affect recruitment plans.

In addition, there are many cases where permission is denied due to incomplete documentation or a lack of understanding of the system. It is a big burden for recruiters to understand the system from scratch, and it is not easy to keep up with the latest information.

Checking and applying for residence status is one of the most time-consuming tasks for recruiters.Any errors can lead to denial of permission or a complaint from the Immigration Bureau, which will affect the entire recruitment plan.

To avoid these risks, it is safer to work in cooperation with a registered support organization or a specialized staffing agency.

Wide range of supported languagesstands out among the more than 1 registered support organizations, with a diverse and multinational staff.

Company Name	Fine Staff Co., Ltd.
Registration information	23-008195
Headquarters	1-1-4 Shinsenri Nishimachi, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Representative name	Yoshiyuki Imada
Date of Registration	September 2023, 4
Contents of support work and its implementation method	☑ Support content and implementation methods stipulated by law ☑ In addition to the above, optional support content is also available
Available languages	English, German, Hindi, Burmese, Uzbek, Bengali, Indonesian, Spanish, Nepali

Quote:Immigration Services Agency Register of Support Organizations(As of March 2025, 9)

Positions for foreigners in the hotel industry

The hotel industry is increasingly hiring foreign staff, not only to alleviate labor shortages but also to accommodate inbound tourists and improve multilingual communication.

Not only in guest service situations such as front desk and restaurant service,Improving overall operational efficiency and service qualityIt is also characterized by its ability to connect to the following:

Front desk (interpreter)

In situations where foreign language support is required,The major benefit is having staff available to act as interpreters will be important.

The role will be based on interpretation, but will also involve tasks such as reception and check-in/check-out.

Staff who can speak languages ​​appropriate to the guest demographic, such as English, Chinese, or Korean, are highly valued.

Room cleaning

This is an important position that supports behind-the-scenes tasks such as making beds and cleaning common areas.

There are many foreign staff members working here, and they are often praised for their politeness and diligence.

Some hotels outsource cleaning to professional cleaning companies, but hiring one in-house is relatively easy.This is an easy job for hotels that are hiring foreigners for the first time..

Belstaff

They are responsible for carrying luggage and guiding guests around the building, and can also communicate with guests in foreign languages.

Especially in hotels with many inbound tourists, the way you respond immediately after check-in can make a good impression.Increased word-of-mouth reviews and repeat customersAlso leads to

Restaurant service

The service at the hotel restaurant and breakfast buffet isThe language skills of our foreign staff are a major strength will be important.

Not only can we respond naturally in English and Chinese, but we can also provide service that takes into consideration differences in food culture.

This kind of flexible response will enhance the brand value of the hotel as a whole and help us gain the trust of international guests.

Cooking staff

Preparation and cooking assistance in the kitchenAreas where specific skills holders and part-time international students can thrive.

This is a job that tends to increase employee motivation, as employees can advance while learning the basics of cooking.

Those with specialized skills can immediately join the ranks of Japanese or Western cuisine restaurants, playing an important role in supporting the quality of food and the speed at which it is served.

👉 It is difficult to plan such recruitment and placement on your own, so it will go more smoothly if you use a staffing agency that has aptitude assessments and training programs for each job type.

🔗For foreign recruitment, Fine Staff

Positions for foreigners in the food and beverage industry

The food and beverage industry is one of the sectors that continues to suffer from a chronic shortage of personnel, making the presence of foreign staff essential.

In particular,Situations where securing manpower during peak times or multilingual customer service is requiredIt demonstrates its power.

Just like in the hotel industry, the skills required and the way people perform differ for each job in the food and beverage industry, so it is important to hire the right people for the right positions.

Hall staff

This is a position where you can work on the front lines of customer service. You will be required to be able to speak Japanese when taking orders, serving food, and working the cash register.

However, if you have a conversational level (N3 level), you can handle it.Directly linked to inbound response international success.

Cooking assistance

Responsible for preparation, plating and cleaning up in the kitchen.

Even if your Japanese language skills are limited, you can still carry out your duties.Positions suitable for specific skills holders and part-time international students.

washing place

These are jobs that do not require much Japanese language skills, such as dishwashing and cleaning. They are easy for foreigners working in Japan for the first time to take on.Stable and easy-to-recruit occupationsIt can be said.

Make a difference after hiring! Know-how for retaining and training foreign staff

Hiring foreign staff is not the goal, but the start. Especially in the hotel and restaurant industries,Cases where employees do not settle in after being hired and leave the company within a short period of time.

Cause is"Language barrier," "cultural differences," and "feelings of isolation"These issues are often caused by factors such as the above, and in order to ensure that newly hired personnel can continue to perform well in the long term, it is essential to create a system of education and support.

Here we will explain some of the systems that companies should be aware of.

Language support

Even if you have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N3 or N4, there are many cases where you may be confused by technical terms and expressions specific to your work.

• Multilingual manuals (Japanese, English, Chinese, etc.)
• Preparation of "visually understandable manuals" using pictograms and photographs

 SuchTips for understanding terminologyThis will greatly increase the speed at which you can understand the business.

Cultural and religious considerations

Respect the religious and cultural backgrounds of foreign staffIs also important.

• Example: Muslim staff are given consideration for working during Ramadan
• In the workplace where ingredients are handled, shifts are arranged to accommodate halal and vegetarian needs.

Even small things like this, when you take care to ensure that staff from diverse backgrounds can work comfortably, lead to a sense of security and trust.

Preventing isolation in the workplace

One of the reasons why foreign staff do not settle down is"Being isolated at work".

• Conduct cross-cultural understanding training for Japanese staff to deepen mutual understanding
• Assign senior staff of the same nationality or Japanese employees to act as mentors

Providing this kind of support system can significantly reduce employee turnover.

👉 Fine StaffWe provide comprehensive support after hiring, from daily life assistance to education and training, helping to create an environment where foreign staff can work safely and with peace of mind for the long term.

reference:Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Guide for Employers on Employment and Working Conditions of Foreign Workers

5 benefits of hiring foreigners at Fine Staff

When hiring foreign staff in the hotel or food service industry, many steps are involved, from recruitment to hiring, visa application, and support for accepting foreign staff.

If you try to complete all of this in-house, the burden on the recruiter will be extremely heavy.Utilizing a staffing agency that specializes in recruiting foreigners.

here,Specific benefits of using Fine StaffI will introduce you.

Prevent mismatches

At Fine Staff, we often introduce people who worked part-time while studying abroad to full-time positions.

Since they already have on-site experience, they can apply with a full understanding of the work involved, minimizing mismatches between the company and staff.

Aptitude can be assessed

Based on the employee's part-time work history, you can check the employee's skills, personality, and suitability for the job.

This reduces the risk of mismatch after assignment, as it allows you to understand the practical strengths and weaknesses that cannot be determined through interviews alone. As a result, it becomes easier for recruits to stay in the company for the long term.

Able to secure talented personnel

With a system in place that allows part-time work experience to lead to full-time employment, companies can steadily employ talented personnel with a high retention rate.

This approach is particularly effective in the hotel and restaurant industries, where success depends greatly on whether or not you can work immediately.

Visa application and administrative procedures support available

Applying for and renewing a visa is essential for hiring foreigners. This is a complicated process, and it is a heavy burden for those in charge to learn it from scratch.

Fine Staff is a registered support organization certified by the Immigration Services Agency. We can support visa applications and prepare the necessary documents on your behalf, allowing companies to focus on their core business.

Full support for employee retention after hiring

Even after a job offer is made, we provide ongoing support to foreign staff, from finding housing and lifestyle consultations to Japanese language education and follow-up to help them settle in, so that they can work with peace of mind.

Being able to provide consistent support right up to post-recruitment care is a strength that only Fine Staff, which has been involved in recruiting foreigners for many years, can offer.

By utilizing Fine Staff's foreign staff dispatch service, you can reduce the burden of recruitment and feel confident in welcoming talented personnel without any mismatches.

👉 For more information Fine Staff Home Page

Summary | Foreigner Recruitment Strategies for 2025 [Hotels and Restaurants]

While the hotel and restaurant industry is facing a chronic shortage of personnel, the presence of foreign staff has become indispensable in order to meet inbound demand and diversifying customer needs.

Again,

For example, at the front desk, there is a need for staff who also act as interpreters, and in the food and beverage industry, there is a need for staff to work in the hall or as kitchen assistants during peak times, and it is necessary to utilize human resources in accordance with on-site needs.

The difference between success and failure in recruitment is

• Selection of status of residence
• Visa Processing
• Post-employment education and living support

such asCreating a detailed systemIf you neglect this, you increase the risk of your visa being denied or leaving your job early.

That's why we don't just handle it ourselves,Make effective use of registered support organizations and temporary staffing agencies that are familiar with recruiting foreigners.This is the shortcut to successful recruitment.

First, take stock of your company's recruitment challenges and consider which positions would be most effective for placing foreign talent.

\It will improve the service capabilities of hotels and restaurants while resolving labor shortages./

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