Japan’s Immigration Services Agency suspended issuing certificates of eligibility for Type I Specified Skilled Worker visas starting April 13, 2026, affecting the food service industry and other sectors reliant on these workers [1, 2, 3, 4]. By the end of February 2026, roughly 46,000 foreign workers in the food service industry held Type I visas, nearing the fiscal 2028 quota of 50,000 [1, 2, 3, 4].
Type I visa holders can work in Japan for up to five years but cannot bring family members, unlike Type II visa holders who have no length of stay limits and can be accompanied by family [1, 2, 3]. The suspension raises concerns as many food service operators rely heavily on Type I visa labor amid Japan’s tight labor market and shrinking domestic workforce [1, 2, 3, 4].
Skylark Holdings, which employs 32 exchange students from countries including Myanmar as part-time workers, had been preparing them for the Type I visa examination scheduled for June 2026 [1, 2, 4]. The company planned to promote qualified workers to full-time status after two years and upgrade them to Type II visas [1, 2]. A Skylark official said some employees "may return to their home country instead of seeking visa status in one of the other 15 fields, as they ‘joined the company because they found interacting with customers fulfilling’" [1].
Mos Food Services, operator of the Mos Burger chain, expressed concern over the suspension and supports Vietnamese applicants aiming for the specified skilled worker visa [1, 2, 4]. The Japan Foodservice Association, representing about 400 restaurant operators, warned the halt could impact new store openings and operating hours [1, 2]. Industry players also fear rising competition and poaching among companies for existing Type I visa holders [1, 2, 4].
Experts highlight concerns that some foreign workers may opt to leave Japan rather than pursue other visa routes, deepening labor shortages in the restaurant sector and beyond [1, 2, 3, 4]. Japan’s increasing reliance on foreign labor comes despite traditionally strict immigration policies, driven by demographic challenges and workforce gaps [1, 2, 3, 4].
The scheduled Type I visa examination for Skylark’s exchange students is set for June 2026, marking the next milestone amid the visa issuance suspension [1, 2].
