Residence Status Required for Foreigners to Work in Customer Service

In Japan, the number of travelers from overseas is increasing. As a result, more companies, such as hotels, department stores, and restaurants, want to hire foreign staff who can serve customers in their native languages. While there are many workplaces where foreigners can excel, there are restrictions on the types of jobs they can do based on their residence status.

This article introduces the types of customer service jobs where foreigners can excel and the necessary residence statuses to work in customer service.

Note: Information about residence statuses is as of September 2024.

What is Customer Service?

Customer service involves providing services by directly interacting with customers. In Japan, the jobs referred to as "customer service" include the following:

In all these roles, you can utilize language skills in Japanese, English, or other languages, as well as your previous experience. For travelers, having service staff who can communicate in their native language makes shopping smoother and allows them to ask detailed questions about food, providing a sense of security and making their trip more enjoyable.

Residence Statuses Required for Foreigners to Work in Customer Service

Those with residence statuses based on status or position, such as Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), and Long-Term Resident (LTR), can work in any job. Other residence statuses have restrictions on the types of work that can be done.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "List of Residence Statuses" *Japanese

Working Full-Time

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI)

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status allows for jobs that require specialized knowledge or sensitivity. It is necessary for specialized jobs such as engineers, interpreters, designers, and marketers.

In the context of customer service, examples include service staff in hotels with interpreting duties, which often require language skills in Japanese and English. However, tasks like serving food or cleaning rooms alone are not recognized under this status.

[Conditions for Obtaining Residence Status]
A graduation qualification from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas, or a graduation qualification from a vocational school in Japan is required. However, for foreign universities, graduate schools, or junior colleges, a certificate proving equivalence to a Japanese university graduation is necessary. Overseas vocational schools are not recognized.

If you do not meet the educational background criteria, 3 to 10 years of work experience is required.

Designated Activities No. 46

Designated Activities No. 46 is a residence status for international students with academic backgrounds and advanced Japanese skills who do not fall under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) category.
This status has strict conditions for acquisition. To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:

• Graduated from a four-year university or graduate school in Japan
• Scored N1 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or 480 points or more on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) in the Food Service Industry

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status in the food service industry is necessary to work as a regular employee in roles such as food preparation, customer service, and store management in restaurants, diners, and bars.

Note: The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status in the food service industry cannot be used for jobs outside the food service industry. If you work in a facility like a hotel that has a restaurant, you cannot perform front desk duties.

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status has two categories: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

1. Specified Skilled Worker (i):
Can work in specific industrial fields
Residence period: Up to 5 years in total
Bringing family: Not allowed

2. Specified Skilled Worker (ii):
Can be a leader in specific industries
Residence period: No upper limit
Bringing family: Allowed

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Specified Skilled Worker Support Site *Japanese

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) in the Accommodation Industry

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status in the accommodation industry allows for roles such as front desk duties, planning, public relations, customer service, and restaurant services in hotels and inns. Like the food service industry, it has two categories with the same conditions.

This status can be utilized for jobs related to accommodation within the customer service industry.

Note: For accommodation-related qualifications, you cannot have cleaning or bed-making as your main tasks. Additionally, restaurant customer service can involve duties other than cooking.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan
​​​​​​​List of Residence Statuses
Guideline for "Designated Activities" for Employment Support for International Students (Graduates of Japanese Universities)
Residence Status "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"
Specified Skilled Worker Support Site "What is the Residence Status 'Specified Skilled Worker'?" *Japanese

Working Part-Time

Even without a residence status for work, you can work part-time if you meet certain conditions.

Student

Students attending universities, junior colleges, or vocational schools in Japan hold the Student residence status. With this status, you can work part-time for up to 28 hours a week. During long vacations like summer or spring breaks, you can extend this to up to 8 hours a day.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Note: You need permission for activities outside your residence status to work. Part-time jobs in the adult entertainment industry, such as "pachinko" or "cabaret clubs," are not allowed. Even jobs like "cleaning pachinko parlors," which do not directly involve the operation of the establishment, are not permitted with the Student residence status.

Dependent

Dependents can also work part-time. You can work up to 28 hours a week, which is about 4 to 5 hours a day.
Note: You need permission for activities outside your residence status to work.

Designated Activities (Job Hunting)

International students who have graduated from Japanese universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, or vocational schools and are job hunting can obtain the Designated Activities residence status to work part-time. You can work up to 28 hours a week.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan: List of Residence Statuses , Study Abroad - About Tuition and Living Expenses *Japanese

How Foreigners Can Find Customer Service Jobs in Japan

Find Jobs at Hello Work

Hello Work is an agency where you can consult about jobs and get job introductions. Some locations offer multilingual consultations. Check if the Hello Work in your area provides multilingual support.
Link: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Prefectural Labour Bureau and Hello Work" *Japanese

Consult with the Foreign Employment Service Center

The Foreign Employment Service Center offers consultations and job introductions for highly skilled foreign professionals.
Link: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "List of Foreign Employment Service Centers" *Japanese

Register with Staffing Agencies

If you are having trouble finding a job or figuring out what kind of work you can do, registering with a staffing agency is one option. A staffing agency can introduce you to jobs that match your experience and skills.

Search on Job Sites

There are many types of job sites in Japan. You can search and apply for jobs by job category or location at any time, making it convenient.

In Conclusion

In Japan, where the number of tourists from overseas is increasing, there are many jobs where you can utilize your native language skills. Customer service jobs are often available as part-time or temporary positions, making them accessible to students.
The necessary residence statuses vary depending on the job and how you work, so be sure to check the conditions carefully when looking for a job.

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