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Hiring a new graduate at a hotel. 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 or 「特定活動」46号?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) / Published  / Last updated

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original(日本語版を読む)

Answer

The safer route is to apply first under 「特定活動」46号, and then change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 once the posting changes. If you apply for 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 from the outset, there is a risk that the lobby service work will be judged to be unskilled labour. 46号 requires graduation from a university in Japan and N1, and where those are met, the risk of a denial at the first stage can be greatly reduced.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from a company in the hotel industry, about how to choose the status of residence when hiring a new graduate.

What happens if we apply for 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 from the outset?

The risk that the lobby service work will be judged to be unskilled labour becomes high.

This is the route of applying under 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 from the outset, and seeking to have the lobby service work accepted as an extension of the specialised nature of 「国際業務」 (international services) or 「人文知識」 (specialist in humanities).

Advantages

Points to watch

The biggest hurdle is that the specialised nature of the work will be questioned. Lobby service is generally considered to be seen as ordinary customer service and guidance, carrying a high risk of being judged to be unskilled labour with no specialised element.

To be accepted as 「国際業務」, the person must be mainly engaged in work that requires thinking and sensitivity grounded in a foreign culture, and in practice ordinary interpreting and customer service tends to be judged not to fall within this.

If the application is denied, the start of work is delayed, and preparing a fresh application takes time.

What happens if we start with 「特定活動」46号?

The risk of a denial at the first stage can be greatly reduced. This is the safer route.

This is the route of applying first under 「特定活動」46号 (a status of residence for graduates of universities in Japan, which allows a wide range of work using high Japanese ability), and then seeking a change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 once the person has been posted elsewhere.

Advantages

Points to watch

The status of residence has to be changed 2 times, and each change costs money and effort.

Which do you recommend?

Starting with 「特定活動」46号, and changing once the work has become specialised.

Given the career plan of "going through practical training and taking charge of the sales department in future", we recommend the route of starting with 「特定活動」46号.

This keeps the risk that the early lobby service work will be judged to be unskilled labour to a minimum, and lets the person start a career in Japan on a stable footing.

The right time to change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 is ideally once the person has been transferred to the front desk or to the sales department, and the proportion of more specialised work has increased — planning and designing group tours for foreign tourists, for example.

In the hotel and inn industry, the line between unskilled labour and specialised work easily becomes blurred. The first choice you make affects everything that follows, so please consult us while you are still drawing up your recruitment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does lobby work fall outside 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」?

It is generally considered to be seen as ordinary customer service and guidance, carrying a high risk of being judged to be unskilled labour with no specialised element.

What are the requirements for 「特定活動」46号?

Graduation from a university in Japan, and high Japanese ability (N1).

Can the person keep working under 46号?

They can, but it is ideal to change to 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 once the proportion of more specialised work has increased.

Does applying 2 times cost more?

It does. However, because it greatly reduces the risk of a denial at the first stage, it is generally considered to be safer and quicker in the end.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.