Because the number of residents under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food service sector was expected to exceed the acceptance projection (acceptance ceiling), issuance of Certificates of Eligibility has been temporarily suspended since April 13, 2026 (Reiwa 8). The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has been updating the examination status since the suspension almost every month, and the latest posting was on October 19, Reiwa 8 (as of October 16).
The suspension mechanism is based on Article 7-2, paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter the “Immigration Control Act”). When the head of the administrative body with jurisdiction over the sector recognizes, based on the sector-specific operational policy, that the necessary human resources have been secured, they request the Minister of Justice to temporarily suspend issuance, and the Minister of Justice takes the suspension measure. Resumption is also provided for in paragraph 5 of the same Article.
We explained how the suspension came about in Specified Skilled Worker 2026 Changes. This article sets out, by type of application, how an application made now is handled.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Status of Examination of Residence Applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (Food Service Sector) (posted October 19, 2026)”; “Operation of the Acceptance Ceiling in the Specified Skilled Worker Food Service Sector” (March 27, Reiwa 8); “Specified Skilled Worker System”; “Employment for Skill Development System Q&A”; e-Gov Law Search, “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act,” Article 7-2
Handling by type of application (as of October 16, Reiwa 8)
| Type of application | Handling |
|---|---|
| Application for Certificate of Eligibility (bringing workers from overseas) | Issued in order of date of receipt. Currently, applications received up to February 6, Reiwa 8. Applications received on or after April 13 are, in principle, not granted |
| Change: from Technical Intern Training (meal service production work at medical and welfare facilities) | Granted as usual once examination is completed (currently, applications received up to September 30, Reiwa 8) |
| Change: from Designated Activities (preparation for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i)) in food service | Granted as usual once examination is completed (currently, applications received up to September 30, Reiwa 8) |
| Change: from Specified Skilled Worker (i) in food service (job change within food service) | All applications granted as usual once examination is completed |
| Change: from other statuses of residence (such as Student) | Applications received up to April 12, Reiwa 8 are granted. Applications received on or after April 13 are, in principle, denied |
| Application for extension of period of stay | Granted as usual, in order, once examination is completed |
Applications for change of status of residence are being processed with priority, and Certificates of Eligibility are being issued in order of date of receipt where issuance is possible in light of the number of residents each month.
Number of Certificate of Eligibility applications awaiting examination
The applications for a Certificate of Eligibility pending as of October 16, Reiwa 8 are as follows (preliminary figures).
| Period of receipt | Number of applications |
|---|---|
| February 7 to February 28, Reiwa 8 | 732 |
| March 1 to March 31, Reiwa 8 | 1,825 |
| April 1 to April 12, Reiwa 8 | 4,804 |
Point: 4,804 applications were received in the 12 days from April 1 to 12, just before the suspension. Even for cases applied for before the suspension, issuance is expected to take a considerable amount of time.
When your period of stay expires while you are waiting for examination
For applications where the period of stay is likely to expire before their turn comes, the immigration authorities may advise the applicant, so that they do not become an overstayer, to file an application for change to Designated Activities (preparation for Specified Skilled Worker (i)) (food service sector), or to make a request to change the content of the application to an application for extension of the same Designated Activities. This extension of Designated Activities is allowed only once.
Persons granted this Designated Activities status who wish to continue the same activities are asked to apply for change to Specified Skilled Worker (i) (food service sector) before their period of stay expires (approximately 3 months before). It is stated that, in that case, submitting only the application form and a photograph is sufficient.
Note: Technical intern trainees cannot work after their technical intern training plan has been completed. When changing from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker in food service, they are asked to apply for change of status of residence at least 2 months before the planned start date of work.
What restaurants can do now
- Hire people residing under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in food service Applications for change involving a job change within the food service sector are all being examined as usual. At the interview stage, check the sector on the residence card and the designation document.
- Make sure the extensions of your current employees are done Extensions are being examined as usual. Start preparing 3 months before the expiry date so that a delay in the extension procedure does not cause the period of stay to lapse.
- Depending on the work, consider other statuses of residence If the work centers on specialized tasks such as store management, interpreting, or coordination with overseas stores, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or another status may fit. However, work centered on cooking or serving customers is not covered. The status of residence is determined by the content of the work.
- Wait for information on resumption Resumption of issuance is carried out based on a request from the head of the administrative body with jurisdiction over the sector to the Minister of Justice (Article 7-2, paragraph 5 of the Immigration Control Act). Please check announcements from the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Note that the Immigration Services Agency states that it cannot answer inquiries about individual issuance or permission status made to the immigration authorities or the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Summary
- For Certificates of Eligibility in food service, applications received on or after April 13 are, in principle, not granted, and applications made before the suspension are also being issued in order of date of receipt (currently up to those received on February 6).
- Job changes within food service and extensions of period of stay are being examined as usual.
- Changes from other statuses of residence, such as Student, received on or after April 13 are, in principle, denied.
- If your period of stay expires while you are waiting for examination, you may be advised to switch to Designated Activities (preparation for Specified Skilled Worker (i)).
We explain acceptance under Specified Skilled Worker as a whole in Complete Guide to the Specified Skilled Worker Visa, and the basics of food service and food and beverage manufacturing in Specified Skilled Worker in Food Service and Food/Beverage Manufacturing.
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