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The Japanese government put into effect higher fees for permanent residency and other residency procedures on October 1 2026 following a cabinet decision and revision to the immigration law. The permanent residency fee has risen from 10000 yen to 200000 yen a twentyfold increase according to the Immigration Services Agency. New guidelines require applicants to maintain an income at or above the average Japanese household level of 5.75 million yen and to have contributed to pensions for the equivalent of 30 years. Japanese language ability is also now a factor for approval in most cases.
The move prompted a rush to immigration offices before the change with long lines reported at multiple locations including Osaka where 350 people queued at opening on Tuesday. Heavy online traffic also hindered some applications. Applications submitted by the end of September will be charged at the old rates regardless of when they are approved. This last-minute surge reflects the significant financial impact the new fees will have on many foreign residents seeking long-term stability in Japan.
Data from the Immigration Services Agency places the number of foreign residents in Japan at a record 4.125 million at the end of 2025 almost double the figure from 10 years earlier. The growth has increased the administrative load on immigration authorities. Officials have cited rising costs for screening and managing residency as a key reason for the fee adjustments.
Fees for extending stays or changing status are now scaled by the length of permission granted ranging from 10000 yen for three months or less to 75000 yen for five years or longer at counters according to the Japan Times. Online submissions are priced slightly lower to encourage digital applications. The previous flat rate was 6000 yen irrespective of duration.
In statements to media Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi explained that the additional revenue will support digital upgrades to immigration services Japanese language training refugee assistance and efforts to curb illegal residency. The agency has indicated that the fees better reflect the true cost of processing which exceeds the old amounts substantially. This approach aligns with practices in other countries where similar charges apply for long-term residency applications.
Provisions allow for fee reductions in cases of financial hardship combined with humanitarian factors lowering the permanent residency charge to 20000 yen and other fees to 10000 yen for qualifying individuals the agency’s FAQ document states. Eligible groups include recognized refugees and foreign nationals raising children of Japanese citizens alone. The expansion of this category came after public feedback on the initial proposal.
