Japan plans to significantly increase residence application fees from October 2026 amid record foreign resident numbers, potentially impacting long-term settlers and expanding administrative costs.
Japan is preparing to sharply increase the cost of residence procedures from October 2026, with permanent residency applications expected to rise to ¥200,000, according to Japanese immigration notices and reporting by legal and immigration specialists. The move would mark a substantial jump from the current ¥10,000 fee and would also see charges for changing or extending residence status lifted under a new system tied to the length of the authorised stay. According to Fragomen and other advisers monitoring the changes, the revised schedule is expected to take effect on 1 October 2026.
The planned overhaul comes as Japan faces record numbers of foreign residents and higher administrative demands on its immigration system. The Immigration Services Agency has said the fee changes are designed to reflect the cost of processing applications and to support a more robust administrative structure. Reporting by Nippon.com said the agency is aiming to implement the increases after a public comment period, while office-tree.jp noted that final amounts may still be refined before the new regime is introduced.
For foreign workers, students and long-term residents, the increase will mainly affect those building a life in Japan rather than short-term visitors. Indian professionals and students, who make up a growing share of Japan’s international population, are among those most likely to feel the impact in future budgeting and settlement planning. The higher permanent residency fee may also prompt applicants to think more carefully about when to file, although the eligibility rules themselves are not changing.
Under the proposed structure, the cost of residence-status changes and renewals will vary according to the length of stay granted, with physically filed applications expected to range from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000. Canada’s immigration department recently announced its own fee rise for permanent residence, highlighting a wider international trend in which governments are recasting migration charges to cover rising programme costs and growing demand. Japan’s fee revision fits that pattern, even as the country continues to balance labour shortages, inbound tourism and the need for tighter administrative control.
Applicants already living in Japan are being advised to check expiry dates, organise documents early and follow official notices closely, as the final detail of the regime may still be adjusted before implementation. For those considering permanent settlement, the fee rise will not alter the substantive tests for residency, but it will make the financial hurdle noticeably steeper.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/4wfinny6nhi1/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/permanent-residence-fees-increasing.html – Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations are set to increase permanent residence fees on April 30, 2026. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee will rise by $25, from $575 to $600. Other program fees, including Provincial Nominee Program, Business, Family class, Protected persons, and Humanitarian and compassionate grounds, will also see increases ranging from $25 to $85. These adjustments aim to offset the cost of running the program and respond to growing demand. Applications received on or after April 30, 2026, will be subject to the new fees.
- https://office-tree.jp/blog/immigration/japan-residence-status-fee-increase-2026/ – Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has proposed a new fee structure for residence procedures, effective from October 2026. Permanent residency application fees are expected to rise to ¥200,000 from the current ¥10,000. Fees for changing or renewing a status of residence will vary depending on the length of stay, ranging from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000. The ISA plans to finalize the specific amounts after a public-comment procedure and implement the increase as early as October 2026.
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/japan-new-residence-permit-fee-structure-from-october-1-2026.html – Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced a revised residence permit fee schedule, effective October 1, 2026. The new structure introduces fees that vary according to the length of the authorized period of stay. Fees for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay applications will range from JPY 10,000 for permissions of up to three months to JPY 75,000 for permissions of five years or more when filed physically. The filing fee for Permanent Residence applications submitted physically will increase to JPY 200,000.
- https://english.visajapan.jp/qa/news20251121.html – Japan’s government has approved a bill to amend the Immigration Control Act, raising the statutory upper limit for immigration procedure fees. The new caps are ¥100,000 for change of status and extension of period of stay, and ¥300,000 for permanent residence applications. However, the actual fees have not been set yet and are expected to be determined later by Cabinet Order. The current fees remain those introduced on April 1, 2025.
- https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026070300376/japan-to-raise-foreigners%27-residency-fees-to-up-to-75-000-yen.html – Japan has announced a draft cabinet order to raise the fees for permission to change temporary residence status and extend the period of stay to up to 75,000 yen from the current 6,000 yen. The new fees will vary depending on the length of the period, ranging from 10,000 to 75,000 yen. The fee to obtain permanent resident status will increase to 200,000 yen from 10,000 yen. The agency hopes to implement the fee hikes in October after a public comment period.
- https://www.belongingjapan.com/how-to-guide/immigration/japan-visa-fee-increase-2026/ – Japan has officially passed a revised immigration law that will significantly raise the Japan visa fee caps associated with residence status changes, renewals, and permanent residency permits. The new caps are ¥100,000 for change of status and renewal, and ¥300,000 for permanent residency permit. The actual fees will be determined separately by cabinet order. This change comes as Japan’s foreign resident population has reached a record high of approximately 4.13 million people as of the end of 2025.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article reports on Japan’s plan to increase residency fees, with the earliest known publication date being April 29, 2026. (japantimes.co.jp) The content appears to be original and not recycled from other sources. However, the article includes updated data but recycles older material, which raises concerns about freshness. (fragomen.com)
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from various sources. However, some quotes cannot be independently verified, which raises concerns about their authenticity. (fragomen.com)
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The article cites multiple sources, including Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP, and Nippon.com. However, some sources are not independent, which raises concerns about the reliability of the information. (fragomen.com)
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The article’s claims about Japan’s plan to increase residency fees are plausible and align with recent developments. However, the lack of independent verification for some claims raises concerns about their accuracy. (fragomen.com)