On March 27, 2026, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced that Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applications and in-Japan status-change applications for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) food service sector would be rejected in principle for applications received on or after April 13, 2026. The suspension was triggered by the sector's admitted worker count approaching its intake cap of 50,000. This is the first time any SSW sector has reached its cap and been suspended since the program launched in 2019.
Why Was the Sector Suspended?
The food service sector's intake cap for the period through March 2029 is set at 50,000 workers. According to provisional data released by ISA on July 3, 2026 (figures as of March 31, 2026), admitted workers in the food service sector had already reached 47,714, putting the sector's fill rate at 95.4%. At the trajectory observed, the cap was projected to be reached around May 2026, prompting ISA to announce the suspension effective April 13.
Applications Affected by the Suspension
The following application types received on or after April 13, 2026 will in principle be rejected:
- COE applications for food service SSW status (sponsoring new workers from abroad)
- In-Japan status change applications from other residence statuses to SSW food service
Applications That Remain Permitted (Exceptions)
① Extension of period of stay for workers already admitted as SSW food service
② Change of employer applications for workers already admitted as SSW food service (job changes within the sector)
③ Status change applications from persons who completed Technical Intern Training in the medical/welfare facility catering sub-category
④ Applications submitted before April 13, 2026 where the accepting organization had filed for membership in the food service sector council by March 27, 2026 (the date of the suspension announcement)
SSW Sector Fill Rates as of March 2026
As of March 31, 2026 (provisional), total SSW Type 1 admitted workers across all sectors stood at 404,527, against a total intake cap of 805,700 — an overall fill rate of 50.2%. Key sectors by fill rate:
Food Service: 47,714 / 50,000 = 95.4% (new admissions suspended)
Food and Beverage Manufacturing: 96,367 / 133,500 = 72.2%
Construction: approx. 55,000 / 80,000 = ~68.8% (reference estimate)
Nursing Care: approx. 52,000 / 135,000 = ~38.5% (reference estimate)
※ Construction and Nursing Care figures are estimates based on available provisional data
What Restaurants and Food Operators Should Do Now
- If you were planning to hire new SSW food service workers: New COEs and in-Japan status changes are suspended. Revise your hiring plan until the suspension is lifted.
- Extensions and job changes for existing SSW food service workers are still possible: These fall under the exceptions and can proceed normally.
- Food and beverage manufacturing remains open: At a 72.2% fill rate, this sector has not been suspended and may serve as an alternative for some business needs.
- Plan ahead for the Ikusei Shuro system (April 2027): The food service sector is expected to be included under Ikusei Shuro. Explore Supervision Support Agency (Kanri Shien Kikan) permit applications alongside this planning.
When Will the Suspension Be Lifted?
ISA has not announced a specific end date for the suspension. The suspension may be lifted if the government revises the intake cap upward (by Cabinet decision) or if the admitted worker count falls below a certain level. Monitor ISA's official announcements for updates.
Summary
The suspension of new SSW food service admissions from April 13, 2026 marks the first time any sector has reached its intake cap in the seven years since the SSW program was created. Restaurants and food operators should focus on ① utilizing extensions and job changes for existing SSW workers, ② pivoting to the food and beverage manufacturing sector where feasible, and ③ preparing for the Ikusei Shuro system launching April 2027. Sakura Chuo Legal Office supports SSW and Ikusei Shuro applications. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
For SSW applications, food service suspension guidance, and Ikusei Shuro transition planning, contact Sakura Chuo Legal Office.
Free initial consultation available.