Complete Roadmap for
Hiring Foreign Employees
Foreign Hiring Roadmap
From planning to post-hire management,
we explain the entire process in 3 phases.
Hiring from Abroad
COE Application
Timeline: 6 months - 1 year
Domestic Hire
Change of Status
Timeline: 2 weeks - 3 months
STEP 5: Post-Hire Notification Requirements
- Notification to Hello Work (Public Employment Office)
- Notification to Immigration Bureau
Hello! This is Wakabayashi Immigration Office.
This article provides a "Complete Roadmap" covering every step from planning to post-hire management.
Phase 1: Planning to Job Offer
Steps 1-2
Define Job Duties: This determines the type of visa required later.
Recruitment & Interviews: Care must be taken to avoid employment discrimination.
Step 3: Verify Residence Status [CRITICAL]
- Where does the person currently reside?
- What is their current residence status?
- When does their period of stay expire?
Step 4
Execute the Employment Contract: This is one of the most critical documents for the immigration review.
Phase 2: Residence Status Application
A. Hiring from Abroad
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application
Estimated timeline: 6 months to nearly 1 year
B. Hiring a Resident in Japan
Change of Residence Status Application
Estimated timeline: 2 weeks to 3 months
Phase 3: Post-Hire Management
Step 5: Post-Hire Notification Requirements
- Hello Work: "Notification of Foreign Worker Employment Status" (mandatory)
- Immigration Bureau: "Notification by Affiliated Organization"
Steps 6-7
Social Insurance Enrollment: Mandatory regardless of nationality.
Residence Period Management: Supporting timely "renewal" before expiration is essential for stable employment.
Summary
Hiring foreign employees is a long-term project, but it is not difficult if you clear each step one at a time.
Our office provides support from the planning stage through post-hire management.