Immigration agency considering aviation category for foreign worker programs

Japan is considering adding airport ground handling to the new Employment for Skill Development program, Immigration Services Agency officials said at a briefing Tuesday. The government would shift 300 foreign workers from the Specified Skilled Worker program to the new system, which is scheduled to begin in April 2027, rather than increase the overall intake, officials said. The shift would leave the combined projected intake under the two programs unchanged at about 1.23 million workers.

The government estimates that the aviation sector needs 4,900 foreign workers in total, with 300 potentially moved into the new Employment for Skill Development category. Agency officials said the proposed aviation expansion would cover airport ground handling, not aircraft maintenance. The government is also considering changes to principal skills and industrial classifications in several other existing sectors, such as product manufacturing, construction and fishery, while keeping overall intake projections unchanged where additional demand is already reflected in existing estimates.

Separately, officials gave more details on the suspension of Certificates of Eligibility for Specified Skilled Worker applicants in the food-service sector. The number of workers had approached the 50,000-person ceiling, prompting the government to halt new certificates from April 13. About 8,500 applications filed before the suspension remain under review.

Applications to change one’s residency status are being prioritized, while certificates will be issued in filing order when departures or status changes create room below the cap.