Japan has approved a major increase in its permanent residency fee, raising the cost by 1,900% from October 2026. The fee will increase from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 under the revised immigration rules. This represents a 20-fold increase for applicants seeking permanent residence.
The Japanese government formally adopted the new ordinance on August 25, 2026. The revised fees will take effect from October 1, 2026.
Currently, applicants pay ¥10,000 for permanent residence-related procedures. However, the new system will introduce the much higher ¥200,000 charge.
The increase had previously been discussed as a government proposal. The latest decision now confirms that authorities will implement the revised fee.
Japan Revises Other Immigration Fees
Japan is also changing fees for several other residence-related procedures.
Previously, many residence status renewals and changes carried a flat fee of ¥6,000. Under the new system, authorities will introduce a tiered fee structure.
In-person applications will start at around ¥10,000 for residence periods of up to three months. The fee can rise to ¥75,000 for residence periods lasting five years or longer.
The exact amount will depend on the applicant’s residence status and its duration. Therefore, different applicants may face different charges under the revised system.
These changes will increase the cost of several immigration procedures for foreign residents in Japan.
New Fees Begin From October 1
The revised fee structure forms part of broader changes to Japan’s immigration administration.
Foreign residents planning to apply for permanent residence after October 1 will therefore need to prepare for significantly higher costs. Applicants seeking residence status renewals or changes may also face increased charges. The final amount will depend on the type and duration of their residence status.
The permanent residency increase stands out because of its scale. Japan will raise the fee from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 in one major revision. Rather than introducing gradual increases, the new ordinance will bring the full fee change into effect from October 1.
As a result, applicants planning permanent residency procedures may need to consider the new costs when preparing their applications.
