Japan has raised the fee for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, a 20-fold increase that took effect on October 1, 2026, as the country introduces wider changes to residence-related fees and immigration procedures.
Key Highlights
- Japan’s permanent residency fee has increased 20-fold from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
- The new fee applies to applications received from October 1, 2026.
- Residence-status change and renewal fees have also increased and now vary according to the requested period of stay.
- The fee changes triggered a rush by some foreign residents to submit applications before the new rates took effect.
- Japan’s Immigration Services Agency says some applicants facing financial hardship may qualify for reduced fees or exemptions.
- Permanent residency applicants face additional requirements relating to income, pension and Japanese-language proficiency.
- Japan’s foreign resident population exceeded 4.12 million at the end of 2025, according to the figures cited in the report.
- The government says the changes are part of efforts to manage residence procedures as the foreign population grows.
Japan Introduces New Residency Fees
The new fees took effect on October 1 following amendments to Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee-Recognition Act enforcement regulations.
Under the revised system, the permanent residency fee is now ¥200,000 when permission is granted. Applications received by September 30 remain subject to the previous ¥10,000 fee, even if approval is issued after October 1.
The Immigration Services Agency said certain applicants may qualify for a reduced permanent residency fee of ¥20,000 under specified conditions.
Residence Renewal and Status Change Fees Also Increase
Fees for changing residence status and extending periods of stay have also been revised.
The amount now depends on the period of stay requested. The changes apply to applications made from October 1, 2026, under Japan’s revised immigration regulations.
The Immigration Services Agency also changed the payment procedure for online applications. From October 1, online applicants are required to use bank or convenience-store payments rather than revenue stamps.
Immigration Offices Face Increased Demand
The fee increase prompted a rush among some foreign residents seeking to submit applications under the previous rates before the September 30 deadline.
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency also warned on September 28 about access congestion involving its online residence application system.
The rush reflected the substantial difference between the former and new permanent residency fees.
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Japan Tightens Permanent Residency Requirements
The fee increase comes alongside broader scrutiny of permanent residency applications.
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet Japan’s conditions for permanent residence, including requirements relating to livelihood and compliance with relevant laws and obligations.
The changes also include additional requirements concerning income, pension contributions and Japanese-language ability, according to the report.
The Japanese government has been examining its immigration system as the country’s foreign resident population continues to grow while Japan faces demographic and labour-market challenges.
Foreign Population Reaches Record Level
Japan’s foreign resident population exceeded 4.12 million at the end of 2025, representing a record increase from the previous year.
The growth has coincided with wider public discussion about immigration, integration and the country’s changing demographic structure.
Japan has also become increasingly reliant on foreign workers in sectors facing labour shortages as its population ages.
Foreign Residents Raise Concerns
Some foreign residents have expressed concerns about the financial and administrative requirements associated with permanent residency.
Micaiah Michaela-Spence, who has lived and worked in Tokyo for about 10 years, reportedly intended to apply for permanent residency but was unable to gather all the required documents before the higher fee took effect.
Speaking to the BBC, he questioned what he regarded as the financial burden placed on foreign residents and raised concerns about the potential impact of additional requirements on skilled workers.
Japanese Language Requirement
From April 2027, permanent residency applicants are expected to face an additional basic Japanese-language requirement under the changes outlined in the report.
The changes have reportedly contributed to increased interest in Japanese-language schools and the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.
Applicants will also face requirements related to expected pension benefits, with financial assets potentially taken into account where expected pension benefits fall below the required level.
Government Defends Orderly Immigration Management
Japan’s government has said it wants immigration procedures to remain orderly while allowing foreign residents and Japanese citizens to live safely and securely.
The changes come as Japan attempts to balance the growing need for foreign workers with public concerns surrounding immigration and social integration.
For foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, the new ¥200,000 fee represents one of the most significant changes to Japan’s residence application costs in decades.
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Featured image: Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau. Photo by Kentin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
