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Japan’s permanent-residence application fee rose from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 on October 1, 2026—a 20-fold increase. The change applies to applications received on or after that date, not to every foreign resident. Changing residence status or extending a period of stay is a separate procedure with a variable fee that can reach ¥75,000, depending on the stay period granted.
Which fees changed, and by how much?
The revised charges apply to specified permissions handled by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA). Permanent residence has a single stated fee in the current schedule; status changes and stay extensions use a separate, tiered schedule.
| Procedure | Before October 1, 2026 | From October 1, 2026 | What determines the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission for permanent residence | ¥10,000 | ¥200,000 | The application is for permission to become a permanent resident. |
| Change of status of residence or extension of period of stay | ¥6,000 from April 2025 | Varies by the period of stay granted; the ISA’s current extension page lists fees reaching ¥75,000. | The authorized stay period; this is not one flat fee or a 20-fold increase. |
The figures are government application charges, not a general annual levy. The ¥200,000 charge concerns an application for permanent-resident permission; it is not an annual payment for people who already hold permanent-resident status. It is also distinct from renewing a residence card.
Which fee applies to an application already filed?
The date the ISA received the application controls. Applications received by September 30, 2026 are charged at the former rate, even if the agency grants permission on October 1 or later. Applications received from October 1 are subject to the revised schedule. A later decision date does not move an earlier application into the new fee schedule.
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How to find the amount for a status change or stay extension
For a change of status or extension, check the ISA’s current procedure page and fee table for the relevant application and period of stay. The new charge varies with the authorized stay period, and the available information establishes that the scale reaches ¥75,000 but does not set out every tier here. Do not assume the maximum applies to every applicant.
Can an applicant get a reduction or exemption?
Possibly, but relief is conditional and is not automatic. The ISA describes reductions or exemptions for applicants who meet prescribed conditions, including serious financial hardship and circumstances warranting humanitarian consideration.
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- For eligible change-of-status or extension applicants granted a stay longer than three months, the ISA’s October 2026 Q&A says the fee may be reduced to ¥10,000.
- For eligible permanent-residence applicants, the Q&A says the fee may be reduced to ¥20,000.
Applicants should consult the ISA’s reduction or exemption guidance to check the requirements and how to request relief. The reduced figures are not standard fees or a guarantee that a request will be approved.
How payment works
The payment method depends on how the application is submitted. For online applications received from October 1, 2026, the ISA describes payment through a designated provider, including convenience-store or bank payment; internet banking may allow cashless payment. For applications accepted at a counter, payment remains by revenue stamp. Confirm the live ISA instructions for the relevant application before paying, as procedures may be updated.
Why did Japan raise the charges?
The ISA says the revised fee ceilings take account of examination costs, the costs of fair immigration and residence administration, comparable fees in other countries, and future price changes. That is the government’s stated rationale, not an independent finding that the amounts are proportionate.
The Ministry of Finance places the revision within broader FY2026 measures related to foreign nationals, including proper immigration control, stronger measures against illegal residents, and promotion of orderly coexistence. That context does not establish that all immigration rules tightened on October 1, 2026; any separate rule change has its own scope and effective date.
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