Japan Is Issuing Some SSW Food Service COEs Sequentially｜August 10, 2026 Update and January 5 Cutoff
SSW NO. 1 / FOOD SERVICE | UPDATED AUGUST 10, 2026
Japan Is Issuing Some SSW Food Service COEs Sequentially
This is not a full resumption. COEs are being issued sequentially when the monthly number of SSW1 food-service residents allows. As of August 10, 2026, applications received on or before January 5, 2026 are currently indicated.
Key conclusion
Japan has moved from a blanket “issuance suspended” statement to limited sequential issuance of SSW No. 1 food-service COEs when monthly resident numbers allow.
This does not mean that all overseas COE cases have reopened. The official point currently shown is applications received on or before January 5, 2026. The ISA has not announced when later applications will be reached or how quickly the date will move.
The governors’ request and the ISA update
On August 5, 2026, the National Governors’ Association asked the government for flexible COE issuance and early publication of an outlook. The ISA then updated its examination-status page on August 10 and described limited sequential issuance based on resident numbers.
Current treatment of SSW No. 1 food-service applications
| Procedure | Current treatment | Receipt date or scope | Important point |
|---|---|---|---|
| COE for a new SSW1 food-service worker coming from overseas | Change-of-status cases are prioritized; COEs are issued sequentially by receipt date when monthly resident numbers allow | As published August 10, 2026: applications received on or before January 5, 2026 | This is not a full resumption. Case documents may affect order and outcome. |
| Change from Technical Intern Training in Medical and Welfare Facility Food Preparation | Permitted after normal examination | Applications received by July 31, 2026 | A technical intern may not continue working after the training plan ends. The ISA asks applicants to file at least two months before the planned start date. |
| Change from Designated Activities for preparation to transition to SSW1 food service | Permitted after normal examination | Applications received by July 31, 2026 | Case-specific instructions may be given because of the period of stay. |
| General change from another status to SSW1 food service | Depends on official receipt date | Applications received by April 12, 2026 | Applications received from April 13 are denied in principle. |
| Job change from SSW1 food service to another employer in the same field | All applications examined normally | All applications | The new employer, contract, support plan, council procedures and other requirements remain subject to review. |
| Extension of period of stay | Examined sequentially under the normal process | Normal extension procedure | Employment, salary, tax, social insurance, support records and notifications are reviewed. |
What does “received on or before January 5” mean?
- It is the current point of COE issuance publicly indicated on August 10, 2026.
- It does not mean that every earlier case will receive a COE immediately.
- Examination content, missing evidence and additional-document requests may affect the order and result.
- It does not mean that an application received after January 5 is automatically refused.
- The date may move if resident numbers allow, but no official schedule or pace has been announced.
- It is not reasonable to assume that the date will advance by one month every month.
What should a person with a pending COE application do now?
Confirm the official receipt date and retain the receipt number. If approximately six months or more have passed, review whether any circumstances have changed since filing.
- Official receipt date
- Receipt number
- Employer’s continuing intention to hire
- Employment-condition changes
- Planned workplace changes
- Business or restaurant permit
- Support plan
- Registered Support Organization
- Council-related requirements
- Passport validity
- Address and contact details
- Any request for additional documents
A correction or additional-document request does not prove that issuance is imminent. The official page also states that the ISA, regional immigration offices and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries cannot answer inquiries about individual issuance or permission status.
Applications filed in February, March or April
I filed in February. When will my COE be issued?
The current point published on August 10 is January 5. No official issuance date has been announced for February applications. Future ISA updates must be checked.
I filed in March. When will my COE be issued?
No official timeline has been announced for March applications. Sequential issuance depends on monthly resident numbers, but the pace cannot be predicted.
I filed in April. When will my COE be issued?
The official receipt date, the April 13 treatment change and the application category must be checked. The current overseas-COE point is January 5, and no official date has been announced for April cases.
Same-field job changes and extensions
Job change within SSW1 food service
All applications for a job change within the same SSW1 food-service field continue under normal examination. The new duties, employer eligibility, employment contract, council procedures, support plan, RSO, period of stay and required notifications must still be reviewed.
Extension of period of stay
Extensions are examined sequentially under the normal process. Approval is not automatic. The ISA may review actual duties, salary payments, tax and social-insurance compliance, support implementation and notifications.
Free general information and paid individual review
The current official processing point is provided here as free general information. Individual questions require a review of the filed documents, receipt date, employer evidence and ISA notices, including:
- why a particular case is taking longer;
- whether additional evidence is needed;
- whether the application has a substantive issue;
- whether an employer or workplace change is necessary;
- whether withdrawal should be considered; or
- whether another lawful route may be available.
Related information
- Specified Skilled Worker Visa in Japan
- Japan Immigration Processing Times 2026
- From SSW1 to SSW2
- Registered Support Organization / SSW Services
Consultation on SSW food-service cases
We review the current status, official receipt date, employer, supporting documents, period of stay and ISA communications before giving an individual assessment.
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency: Examination Status of Residence Applications for SSW No. 1 in the Food Service Field (published August 10, 2026)
- National Governors’ Association: Request Activity by the Project Team on Preparations for Accepting Foreign Workers (August 5, 2026)
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on official material checked as of August 10, 2026. It does not guarantee permission, COE issuance or processing time in any individual case. Immigration treatment may change, so the latest official information should be checked before filing or making a recruitment decision.
Tommy’s Legal Service
Daisuke Tominaga, Gyoseishoshi
Gyoseishoshi Registration No. 21080644 / Immigration Application Agent No. 行-132021200250 / Registered Support Organization No. 26登-013083
