Japan has stopped accepting new foreign worker applications in its food services sector from Monday, as the industry approaches its annual intake cap under the country’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme.
The temporary halt, effective from April 13, applies to all new applicants across the food services category. Workers already holding valid SSW visas are unaffected, and the suspension will remain in place until the quota resets in the next fiscal cycle.
The move is significant for Sri Lanka, which sends a growing number of workers to Japan under bilateral labour agreements. Food services, agriculture, and manufacturing are among the most popular sectors for Sri Lankan SSW applicants. The South Korea E-8 seasonal jobs programme remains an alternative pathway for workers seeking East Asian employment.
Japan’s SSW programme, introduced in 2019, covers 14 designated industries and was designed to address acute labour shortages in sectors where domestic workers are insufficient. The food services sector has consistently been among the fastest to fill its quota each year.
Prospective Sri Lankan applicants already in the pipeline are advised to contact Japan’s Immigration Services Agency or their recruitment agency for updated guidance on when applications will reopen.
