Japan pauses new visas for foreign restaurant workers as 50000 cap nears

Published on 24 April 2026

Applications stop this week, but the cap deadline is May 2026

Japan has stopped accepting new visa applications for foreign restaurant workers under its specified skilled worker program as it approaches a 50,000-worker cap. The move takes effect Monday and anticipates the limit being reached by May 2026. Launched in 2019, the program targets labor shortages across multiple industries, not just restaurants.

Japan halts new visa applications for foreign restaurant workers
The pause follows progress toward a 50,000-worker program cap
Officials expect the cap to be reached by May 2026
The specified skilled worker program began in 2019

#labor shortages #migration #japan #work permits #visas

Read the full story at The Economic Times

This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on The Economic Times

Japan pauses new visas for foreign restaurant workers as 50000 cap nears

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