Japan Hotel Work Visa Guide: Requirements for Front Desk & Housekeeping

With the dramatic revival of tourism in Japan, there is a surge in hiring foreign staff at hotels and ryokans (traditional inns). However, the biggest hurdle in applying for visas in the accommodation industry is the strict “demarcation of job duties.”

“We initially hired them for the front desk, but due to staff shortages, we’ve had them helping with cleaning…”

This situation carries significant risks, not only leading to future visa renewal denials but, in the worst-case scenario, potential charges for aiding illegal employment.

This article provides a thorough explanation of the approval criteria for work visas in the hotel industry and the boundary lines between “allowed” and “prohibited” tasks on the ground, based on the latest immigration examination trends.

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Main Work Visas Available for Hotels & Ryokans

When hiring foreign nationals at a hotel, two main visa categories (statuses of residence) are typically considered.

The Difference Between “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Specified Skilled Worker (Accommodation)”

In short, the difference lies in whether the role is deemed “white-collar professional work” or “multi-tasking on-site work.”

Feature	Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Intl. Services (Standard Work Visa)	Specified Skilled Worker (Accommodation) (SSW)
Main Roles	Interpretation/translation, marketing, management duties	Front desk, customer service, restaurant serving, housekeeping
Education Requirement	University or vocational college degree required	Not required (must pass exams or complete technical training)
Unskilled Labor	Not permitted in principle (only ancillary tasks allowed)	Permitted (can engage in a wide range of duties)
Family Accompaniment	Possible	Generally not possible (for SSW (i))

Mismatch Between Education/Experience and “Job Duties” is the Top Reason for Denial

When applying for the standard work visa, Immigration strictly checks for “relevance” between the applicant’s educational background (major) and the actual work they will perform. For example, if someone who majored in economics at university is hired by a small inn with no need for interpretation to solely perform serving duties, the necessity of the role will likely not be recognized, resulting in a high probability of denial.

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Allowed vs. Prohibited Tasks Under the Standard Work Visa

Many hotels consider hiring under the standard work visa, but extreme caution is needed regarding the discrepancy between the description of job duties and the reality.

Allowed Examples: Interpretation/Translation at Front Desk, Marketing, Promotion

• Handling front desk operations and reservations for foreign guests using their native language.
• Managing overseas SNS accounts and translating/marketing websites for international audiences.
• Negotiating with overseas agents and planning inbound tourism strategies.

High-Risk Prohibited Examples: Guest Room Cleaning, Serving Meals, Doorman Duties as Main Tasks

Immigration authorities examine applications with the perspective: “Is this a professional job that requires a university graduate to perform?” Spending most of the day on guest room cleaning or washing dishes is considered activity outside the scope of this visa status (“unskilled labor”).

How Far is “On-the-Job Training” Allowed?

As part of new employee education, on-the-job training (such as cleaning or serving) for a period of a few months to a year may sometimes be permitted. However, submitting a “reasonable training plan” is essential. The excuse of “we are just short-staffed, so they are on the floor all the time” will not be accepted.

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Advantages of “Specified Skilled Worker (Accommodation)” for Multi-tasking

For employers seeking immediate “on-site” capability, the “Specified Skilled Worker” (SSW) system, established in 2019, is a very powerful option.

SSW Allows Legal Engagement in “Bed Making” and “Restaurant Serving”

Under the SSW (Accommodation) visa, foreign nationals are permitted to engage in a wide range of duties at accommodation facilities, including not only front desk work but also guest room cleaning, restaurant serving, and public relations. This allows for flexible shifts, such as “helping with cleaning when the front desk is quiet.”

Overview of SSW Exam (Accommodation) and Transition from Technical Intern Training

To obtain SSW status, one must either pass specific exams or successfully complete the Technical Intern Training Program (in a relevant job category). In particular, there is an increasing number of cases where international students graduating from vocational schools in Japan pass the exams and switch to the SSW visa.

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Immigration’s Check on “Employer Scale” and “Work Volume”

Visa approval also depends heavily on the situation of the hiring company (facility).

Can Small Pensions or B&Bs Get Visas?

In conclusion, it is not impossible, but the difficulty level is high. Especially for the standard work visa, if a facility has few guest rooms and hardly any foreign customers, it will be judged that “there is not enough volume of interpretation or marketing work.”

How to Prove the Necessity of “Interpretation Duties” According to Company Scale

Before giving up because “we are too small,” it is important to quantify and present data such as recent numbers of foreign guests and future overseas expansion plans. Creating documents that logically explain “why that specific foreign national is needed at that facility” is the key to approval.

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Summary: Visa Strategy Balancing Legal Compliance and On-site Efficiency

Once a hotel is suspected of “engaging in illegal employment” due to visa misuse, it negatively impacts the entire future hiring plan.

• Use the Standard Work Visa for building a professional career.
• Use the Specified Skilled Worker visa for handling on-site multi-tasking.

Clearly distinguishing between these two and matching the applicant’s career path with the facility’s needs is the shortcut to stable employment.

Consult Our Experienced Firm for Complex Hotel Visa Applications

Ishinagi Office supports visa applications for many accommodation facilities, primarily in Osaka. You can trust us with everything from proposing the optimal visa status based on on-site reality to creating explanatory documents for Immigration.

If you have concerns like “Can we get approval with these job duties?” or “We want to consider switching to Specified Skilled Worker,” please feel free to contact us.

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

If you would like to renew or change your work visa quickly and reliably, or if you feel uncertain about the application process, please feel free to consult with our office in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka. We provide support for clients from all over Japan, making use of our extensive experience in dealing with the Immigration Bureau.

If you wish to proceed with your work visa renewal or change of status smoothly and with confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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