Hello Work (ハローワーク / 公共職業安定所) is Japan's nationwide public employment service operated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It offers free job listings, consultations, and unemployment insurance support to anyone with valid work-eligible residence status — including SSW (Specified Skilled Worker / 特定技能) visa holders. For foreign workers in Japan, Hello Work is one of the most reliable and underused resources for finding a new job.
This guide covers everything you need to know: where to find multilingual Hello Work locations, exactly how to register, how to use the online job search system, how to apply for unemployment insurance, and when to combine Hello Work with a specialized SSW agency like TGP.
What is Hello Work and Why Use It
Hello Work is operated by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It serves as the public infrastructure for matching workers and employers across Japan. There are over 500 Hello Work offices nationwide, each with localized job listings and consultation services.
Three reasons SSW workers should know Hello Work
- Completely free. No registration fee, no placement fee, no fee for any service. Government-funded and government-operated.
- Largest job database in Japan. Many employers, especially small-to-mid-sized regional employers, list ONLY on Hello Work. If you ignore it, you're missing a large portion of the market.
- Required for unemployment insurance. If you've been dismissed or your contract ended, you must register at Hello Work to receive unemployment benefits (失業給付).
Multilingual Hello Work Locations
Several major Hello Work offices have dedicated foreign employment service centers with multilingual staff or interpreters. These are your best entry point if your Japanese is below business level.
| Region | Center Name (English) | Languages Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (Roppongi) | Tokyo Foreign Employment Service Center (東京外国人雇用サービスセンター) | English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Tokyo (Shinjuku) | Shinjuku Foreign Employment Assistance Corner | English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese |
| Osaka (Umeda) | Osaka Foreign Employment Service Corner (大阪外国人雇用サービスコーナー) | English, Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Indonesian |
| Aichi (Nagoya) | Nagoya Foreign Employment Service Center (名古屋外国人雇用サービスセンター) | English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka Foreign Worker Consultation Corner | English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese |
| Other prefectures | Local Hello Work offices (Hello Work Plaza) | Limited multilingual support; most operate in Japanese only |
If you live outside the major metro areas, call your local Hello Work office in advance to ask whether multilingual staff or interpreters are available. Many offices can arrange a remote interpreter via phone for specific consultations even if no on-site staff speaks your language.
Required Documents to Register
Bring these to your first Hello Work visit. The registration process takes 30–60 minutes if you have everything ready.
- Residence Card (在留カード) — both sides; required to confirm you have work-eligible status
- Passport — for identity verification
- One passport-size photograph (3×4 cm; some offices accept digital)
- Personal seal (印鑑) — signature is sometimes acceptable, but having a seal speeds the process
- Bank account information — only required for unemployment insurance application
- 離職票 (Employment Separation Certificate) — only required for unemployment insurance; provided by your previous employer
- Mobile phone number with SMS — for receiving notifications about interviews and consultations
5-Step Registration Process
Visit your nearest Hello Work office
Search "ハローワーク" + your city name on Google Maps for the closest office. Most offices are open Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:15pm. The major foreign employment service centers also offer Saturday hours. Walk-in is acceptable, no appointment needed for first registration.
Take a numbered ticket and complete the registration form
At the entrance, take a number for the registration counter. While waiting, complete the basic registration form (求職申込書). It asks for your name, address, contact information, work history, qualifications, and the type of work you're seeking. If the form is in Japanese only, ask staff for assistance.
Initial consultation with a counselor
Once your number is called, you'll meet with a Hello Work counselor (相談員). Show your Residence Card and other documents. Discuss the type of work you're looking for, your wage expectations, and any constraints (location, hours). The counselor enters your information into the Hello Work system and creates your job seeker registration.
Receive your Job Seeker Card (ハローワーク受付票)
You'll receive a card with your registration number. Keep this safe. You'll need it for every future visit to Hello Work. Many services, including the Hello Work Internet Service, require this number.
Begin job searching
You can now search jobs at the office terminals (located in the open self-service area), via the Hello Work Internet Service from any computer, or by speaking directly with a counselor about specific opportunities. When you find a job you want to apply for, the counselor will issue an introduction letter (紹介状) for the employer.
Hello Work Internet Service (Online Job Search)
The Hello Work Internet Service (ハローワークインターネットサービス) is Japan's official online portal for searching jobs registered with Hello Work nationwide. URL: https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/
You can use the basic search without registration, but to apply for jobs through Hello Work, you must complete in-person registration first (Section 4 above). Once registered, you log in with your job seeker number to access full features including:
- Save searches and receive new-listing notifications
- Apply for jobs directly online (with counselor introduction)
- Track your application status
- Browse the Foreign Worker Job Search section (外国人求職者向け)
The site has limited English support. Use Google Translate or a browser translation extension to navigate, OR ask a Hello Work counselor to walk you through the search system at the office.
Search Filters for SSW Workers
When searching the Hello Work database, use these filters to narrow down to SSW-friendly jobs:
- Visa-friendly tag (外国人歓迎): Jobs marked as foreigner-welcome are more likely to consider SSW applicants
- Industry classification: Match the SSW field your skills exam covers (建設, 介護, 食品製造, 宿泊, 農業, etc.)
- Prefecture: Search by prefecture if you have geographic preference
- Salary range: Filter by minimum monthly salary; cross-check against the prefectural minimum wage
- Work hours: Full-time vs part-time vs shift-based
- Required Japanese ability: Some listings explicitly state JLPT level requirements
- Accommodation provided (社宅・寮あり): Useful if you need company-arranged housing
Hello Work vs Private SSW Agencies
Hello Work and private SSW agencies (like TGP) are complementary, not competitors. The smartest job seekers use both.
| Feature | Hello Work | SSW Agency (e.g., TGP) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free for workers (employer pays) |
| Job database size | Largest in Japan | Limited to agency network |
| Multilingual support | Major centers only | Full multilingual |
| Employer vetting | None — any employer can list | Strict vetting (TGP) |
| SSW field expertise | Generic | Specialized |
| Visa change support | None | Group company handles (TGP) |
| Unemployment insurance | Required | Cannot provide |
Combine Hello Work + TGP for the Best Results
Register at Hello Work for breadth and unemployment insurance. Use TGP in parallel for vetted SSW employer matching, multilingual support, and one-stop visa change service. Both are free for foreign workers.
Connect with TGP →Hello Work + Unemployment Insurance (雇用保険)
If you've been dismissed or your contract ended without you choosing to leave, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits (失業給付). To apply, you must register at Hello Work.
Eligibility
- You must have been enrolled in employment insurance (雇用保険) by your previous employer
- For dismissal or company-side reasons (特定受給資格者): generally 6 months of insurance over the past year
- For voluntary resignation (一般受給資格者): generally 12 months of insurance over the past 2 years
- You must be actively job-searching and able to work
Waiting period and benefit duration
- Dismissal / involuntary: 7-day waiting period, then benefits start. Benefit duration: 90–330 days based on age and insurance years.
- Voluntary resignation: 7-day waiting period plus 2–3 month restriction period. Shorter benefit duration.
For a complete walkthrough of dismissal procedures and unemployment insurance, see our What to Do If You Are Fired article.
Common Pitfalls for Foreign Workers Using Hello Work
Pitfall #1: Visiting without an interpreter at a non-multilingual office. Many local Hello Work offices have very limited multilingual support. If your Japanese is below business level, either visit one of the major foreign employment service centers, or bring a Japanese-speaking friend.
Pitfall #2: Generic job listings without details. Many Hello Work listings are minimally described. Ask the counselor to verify SSW eligibility for any listing before applying — not all listings on Hello Work accept SSW workers, even if the employer matches an SSW field.
Pitfall #3: Missing the 7-day deadline for dismissal notification. If you've been dismissed, you have a tight window to notify Immigration Services Agency (within 14 days) and to register for unemployment insurance with your 離職票. Don't delay.
Pitfall #4: Treating Hello Work as your only channel. Hello Work is broad but lacks employer vetting. Combine it with at least one specialized SSW agency for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
- Hello Work (ハローワーク) is Japan's nationwide public employment service — completely free for all workers including SSW visa holders
- 500+ offices nationwide with major multilingual centers in Tokyo (Roppongi, Shinjuku), Osaka (Umeda), Nagoya, and Fukuoka
- Required documents: Residence Card, passport, photo, personal seal; add 離職票 + bank info if applying for unemployment insurance
- 5-step registration: Visit office → complete form → counselor consultation → receive Job Seeker Card → start searching
- Hello Work Internet Service: Online job search at https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/ (limited English; use translation tools)
- Search filters: 外国人歓迎 (foreigner-welcome), industry classification, prefecture, salary, work hours, accommodation provided
- Best practice: combine Hello Work + private SSW agency. Hello Work for breadth, unemployment insurance, broad search; SSW agency (like TGP) for vetted employers and visa change support
- Unemployment insurance: Required to register at Hello Work; benefits faster (7-day wait) for dismissal vs slower (2–3 month wait) for voluntary resignation
- Common pitfalls: visiting without interpreter, generic listings, missing notification deadlines after dismissal, using only one channel
- TreeGlobalPartners can complement Hello Work with vetted SSW employer matching and integrated visa change service
Hello Work is one of the most powerful free resources available to foreign workers in Japan, and yet many SSW workers don't know how to use it effectively. With the steps in this guide, you can register, search, and find SSW jobs through Hello Work as part of a multi-channel job search strategy. Combine it with a vetted private SSW agency like TGP for the best results.
Find a Vetted SSW Employer Through TreeGlobalPartners
While Hello Work gives you breadth, TGP gives you vetted, SSW-specialized employers and full multilingual support. Our placement service is completely free for all foreign workers. Combine TGP and Hello Work for the strongest job search.
Talk to TGP About Your Next Job →Disclaimer: Information in this article is accurate as of May 2026 and is based on Hello Work official information from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and related regulations as currently in force. Office locations, opening hours, and supported languages may change. Always verify current information with the Hello Work official website or by calling the relevant office. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.