Japan Suspends Visa Applications for Foreign Restaurant Workers Amid Capacity Concerns
Japan halts visa applications for foreign restaurant workers as cap nears
The Economic Times
Image: The Economic Times
Japan has halted visa applications for foreign restaurant workers under its specified skilled worker programme as the sector nears its cap of 50,000 workers. This decision, effective March 27, 2023, aims to manage labor shortages while ensuring that the existing workforce does not exceed the limit set for the five-year period starting April 2024.
- 01Japan has stopped accepting new visa applications for foreign restaurant workers.
- 02The cap for foreign workers in the food service sector is set at 50,000 for five years.
- 03As of February 2023, about 46,000 foreign workers were already employed in this sector.
- 04The specified skilled worker programme was introduced in 2019 to address labor shortages.
- 05Authorities warn of potential delays in processing existing applications.
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Japan has suspended visa applications for foreign restaurant workers under its specified skilled worker programme due to nearing capacity limits. This decision, effective from March 27, 2023, comes as the Immigration Services Agency reported approximately 46,000 foreign workers already employed in the food service sector, with a cap of 50,000 workers set for the five-year period starting April 2024. The specified skilled worker programme, initiated in 2019, aims to alleviate labor shortages in various industries, including food services, nursing care, and construction. Currently, about 390,000 foreign workers participate in the programme, with expectations to increase to 820,000 by fiscal 2029. Applications submitted after the cut-off will not be processed, and existing applications will be handled sequentially, contingent on not exceeding the cap, with potential delays in processing times.
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This decision may lead to increased labor shortages in Japan's restaurant sector, potentially affecting service delivery and operational capacity.
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