Employers who are preparing to enter the food service industry in Japan or who are considering hiring foreigners in the food service sector should be sure to review the notice issued by the Immigration and Immigration Management Agency on March 27, 2026.
This announcement is not a mere strengthening of the screening process. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Specified Technical Skills 1 residents in the food service industry, which is expected to reach the government's acceptance limit soon, very strong restrictive measures will be implemented for Specified Technical Skills 1 in the food service industry from April 13, 2026 onward.
To put it plainly, the system will no longer be open to everyone for a specific skilled visa in the food service industry. Whether you are newly trying to enter Japan from overseas or trying to change from another status of residence in Japan to a specified technical visa for the food service industry, you may be severely affected. Therefore, the most important thing now is not to vaguely prepare documents, but to confirm exactly whether your situation is subject to the new restrictive measures or whether it could be subject to exceptional examination.
Key points of this presentation
According to the Immigration and Residency Management Agency, the number of residents in the food service industry with the specified skill 1 was about 46,000 as of the end of February 2026, and is expected to exceed the maximum number of 50,000 to be accepted by around May 2026.
Therefore, the government has announced that from April 13, 2026, it will operate in the direction of strictly restricting new inflows in the specified skill 1 field of the food service industry. This is a very important change for those who have been preparing for employment in the food service industry, especially since it directly affects applications for certificate of eligibility and change of status of residence.
What will change starting April 13, 2026?
1. when preparing to newly enter Japan from overseas as a specified skill in the food service industry
Applications for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility for specified skill 1 in the food service industry will be subject to non-issuance from cases received on or after April 13, 2026.
In other words, if you are preparing for a new entry into Japan from overseas on a specified technical visa for the food service industry, you should consider that after April 13, it will effectively become very difficult to enter Japan.
However, applications already received before April 13 will be subject to review. However, they will not be automatically granted either, but will be processed sequentially within the acceptance limit. In addition, since applications for change of status in Japan will be processed first, there may be a considerable delay in the issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility.
2. when you want to change your status of residence from other status in Japan to the specified skills in the food service industry.
In principle, applications received after April 13, 2026 will be subject to disapproval if the applicant wishes to change his/her status of residence in Japan from other statuses to Tokutei Gijutsu I in the food service industry.
This point requires special attention. It is not possible to be reassured simply because the company has been selected, the exam has been passed, or the hiring process is underway. What actually matters is not the state of readiness, but the point at which the application is received. As a general rule, it will be very difficult to obtain a permit for a general change application that is accepted after April 13.
3. application for specified activities to prepare for transition to specified skills 1
As a general rule, applications for change to specified activities for the purpose of preparing for transition to specified skills 1 related to the food service industry sector will also be denied.
However, if the subject matter falls under the exceptions described below, it may be subject to normal or limited review, so individual circumstances must be accurately confirmed.
4. extension of period of stay for those who are already in the food service industry with a specified skill
Renewal of the period of stay for those who are already legally residing in Japan under the specified skill 1 in the food service industry will be subject to normal examination as in the past. Therefore, this measure will not stop existing residents from renewing their status.
Impact Arrangement at a Glance
| situation | After April 13, 2026 | Practical Points |
|---|---|---|
| Newly scheduled to enter the country from overseas with specific skills in the food service industry | Very difficult (practically impossible) | Application for Certificate of Eligibility is subject to non-issuance |
| Change from other visa to food service specific skills in Japan | Not permitted in principle | It is important to determine whether the exception applies. |
| If you are already working in the food service industry with a specific skill 1 and are changing jobs | reviewable | Subject to normal review |
| Transition after completion of technical training (food service production work at medical and welfare facilities) | reviewable | subject to priority processing |
| If you have already received permission for specified activities in preparation for transition to specified skills 1 | reviewable | Possible maintenance of specified activities guidance depending on the number of people at the time of permission. |
| Renewal of period of stay in the specified skills of the food service industry | possible | Regular Review |
Who is still a possible exception target?
This announcement does not mean that the specific skill visa for the food service industry is completely closed. It is important to note, however, that the scope of exceptional cases subject to review is limited, and even within that scope, the visas will be granted sequentially within the maximum acceptance limit.
1. job change related application for those who are already in the food service industry as a specified technical skill No. 1
If a person already residing in Japan under the specified skill 1 in the food service industry applies again for reasons such as job change, he/she will be subject to examination as usual after April 13, 2026.
In other words, job change related applications by those already residing in the food service industry with specific skill status will not be treated in the same manner as a typical newcomer.
2. those who transfer to the specific skills of the food service industry after completing the technical training (food service production work at medical and welfare facilities)
Among the technical training programs, those who have completed the medical and welfare facility food service production work are exceptionally eligible for examination when they move to the specified skill 1 in the food service industry sector. In terms of notification, this case is considered to be processed on a priority basis, which puts them in a more advantageous position than new applicants in the food service industry in general.
3. those who have already obtained a specific activity permit for preparation for transition to a specific skill No. 1 in the food service industry
Those who have already received a specific activity permit for preparation for transition to a specific skill level 1 related to the food service industry field may also be subject to examination when transitioning to a specific skill level 1.
However, even in this case, depending on the overall number of residents at the time of permission, you may be guided to change or renew your status to Specially Designated Activities instead of being granted permission for Specially Designated Activities 1 immediately.
Is it okay for those who have already applied?
Many people tend to think that if you have already prepared or submitted your documents, you are good to go. However, this notice is not that simple.
What matters is not when the application was prepared, but when it was actually received and accepted; if the application was received and accepted before April 13, 2026, it may be subject to review, but will still be processed sequentially within the acceptance limit.
In addition, depending on the status of the number of residents at the time of permission, there is a possibility that you may be guided to change your status to a specified activity in preparation for transition to a specified technology 1, or to renew that status, instead of a specified technology 1. Therefore, just because the application was received before April 13 does not necessarily mean that you can rest assured.
Special attention should be paid by business owners
This measure will have a very significant impact not only on foreign job seekers, but also on employers in the food service industry.
In particular, if you have plans to hire foreign personnel from overseas and bring them into Japan on a specific technical visa for the food service industry, after April 13, 2026, your plans may become very difficult in practical terms.
In addition, in principle, it is difficult to hire a foreigner with another status of residence in Japan by changing his/her status to a specified skill in the food service industry.
In the future, it will be more important than ever to determine in advance whether the person you intend to hire already has a specific skill qualification for the food service industry, whether he/she may be eligible for an exception, or whether you need to consider a different recruitment strategy or other residency status.
Is this a problem that can be solved if we only have a certificate of council membership?
One of the common misconceptions in practice is to think that as long as one has a certificate of membership in the Food Industry Skill Council, a specific skill permit for the food service industry is possible.
However, this situation is not so simple. While membership in the Council is of course important, the mere fact that you have applied for membership does not automatically make it possible to obtain a specific skilled visa for the food service industry.
The actual approval or disapproval depends on multiple factors, including the overall acceptance limit, the applicant's current residency status, the time of acceptance, and the applicability of the exception. Therefore, it is important to first confirm whether your application structure is subject to the current restrictive measures, rather than just relying on the preparation of the Council Membership Certificate.
Checklist to check now
- Has my application already been received and accepted before April 13, 2026?
- Am I a case where I am trying to enter Japan after receiving a certificate of eligibility overseas?
- Am I a case where I am trying to change from another status of residence in Japan to a specific skill in the food service industry?
- I am already in the food service industry with a specific skill #1 and need to change jobs or renew my visa.
- Have you completed the technical training (food service production work at medical and welfare facilities)?
- Do I already have a specific activity permit for preparation for transition to a specific skill No. 1?
- How far have you progressed with your application to join the Council and related certifications?
Depending on the answers to these questions, the likelihood of application can vary greatly. Some may be prepared to work in the food service industry, while others may be exceptionally eligible, even if they are also preparing to work in the food service industry, while others may be virtually ineligible for new entry.
After all, what is most important now
To summarize this measure in one sentence, Specified Skill No. 1 in the food service industry is no longer a system that allows anyone to newly enter the market, but has been transformed into a system in which whether or not the applicant falls under the exception and the point of acceptance are critically important.
In particular, after April 13, 2026, it will be very difficult to obtain a new certificate of eligibility from abroad or to change one's general status of residence in Japan. On the other hand, there is a possibility that exceptions may be considered for those who are already working in the food service industry with a specific skill, for those who have completed some technical intern training, and for those who have already received permission for specific activities to change their status of residence.
Therefore, it is appropriate to understand that you are now at the stage where you must decide whether your case is subject to the principle limitation, exceptional review, or even other visa status strategies, rather than simply preparing documents.
summary
For those who have been preparing for a specific skilled visa in the food service sector, this announcement is a very significant change. However, not all cases will be closed in the same way. The policy may change depending on the current status of residence, the time of application, whether or not there is an existing permit, and the history of technical training.
Depending on whether the application has already been completed or not yet accepted, and whether the change is for a Certificate of Eligibility in Japan or an application for a Certificate of Eligibility from overseas, the outcome may vary greatly. Therefore, it is important to examine your situation accurately in light of the contents of this notice.
In particular, individual consideration should be given to the following cases
- If you believe you were accepted before April 13, but are unsure of the exact date of acceptance
- If you were about to change to a specific skill in the food service industry, but are ambiguous as to whether you qualify for an exception
- If you are already in the process of joining the Council, but would like to know about future possibilities
- When it has become difficult to obtain a specific skill in the food service industry and it is necessary to consider even the possibility of other statuses of residence.
In this measure, accurate judgment is far more important than speculation. We recommend that you first sort out which category your situation falls under, and then, if necessary, consider the direction you would like to take in each individual case.
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Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Attn: Gyoseishoshi Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi
Affiliation: Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association, Shinjuku Branch
Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
Member of Foreign Employment Support Organization (FESO)
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