Japan sharply raises residence fees for foreign nationals
New rates apply from 1 October and vary by procedure and length of stay.
From Thursday, Japan is revising the costs of extending or changing residence status and of applying for permanent residence. Japan’s immigration service says the higher rates are needed to strengthen the management of residence and border crossings.
The change stems from an amended implementing order under Japan’s immigration law. The Immigration Services Agency says the new amounts apply to applications submitted from 1 October. Applications received by 30 September at the latest will, according to Shinjuku municipal authorities, still be subject to the old rates.
The costs no longer consist of a single fixed amount. The level depends on the procedure and the length of the permitted stay. Japanese budget documents give as an example that changing or extending residence status could rise from 6,000 yen to around 40,000 yen, depending on the length of stay.
Applications for permanent residence are also becoming more expensive. The official information page refers to the rates for each procedure for the precise amounts. The government points to the costs of fairer and more comprehensive residence management, as well as international comparisons.
The method of payment is also changing for online applications. The immigration service wants payments to be made through banks or supermarkets and is making online applications cheaper than applications made at the counter. The government is thus seeking both to increase revenue and encourage digital processing.
The measure affects foreign workers, students, family members and other residents who need to extend or change their residence status. According to the immigration service, there is scope for reductions or exemptions for people facing financial difficulties or humanitarian circumstances.
The increase fits into a broader Japanese debate about immigration and the cost of public services. Supporters see a fairer distribution of administrative costs; critics fear that high charges will make Japan less attractive to workers and students. The precise effects on the number of applications and the labour market will only become visible later.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Japan is raising fees for several residence procedures from 1 October.
- The amounts vary by procedure and length of stay.
- Exceptions are possible in financial or humanitarian circumstances.
Left
Arguments High residence fees are particularly disadvantageous to people on lower incomes and can treat migrants as a source of revenue. Access to residence should not depend on people’s ability to pay.
Values Equality, social protection and inclusion.
Consequences Lower or income-based rates would cost the government revenue, but could limit exclusion and uncertainty.
Centre
Arguments Applications entail administrative costs, but fees should remain transparent, proportionate and affordable. Digital procedures and targeted exemptions can limit the burden.
Values Proportionality, practicality and legal certainty.
Consequences A differentiated system may be fairer, but requires good information and oversight of exemptions.
Right
Arguments Those who reside in Japan for an extended period may contribute to the system that organises residence and enforcement. Higher fees could also help create a more orderly migration policy, provided they are not applied arbitrarily.
Values Personal responsibility, national sovereignty and cost recovery.
Consequences Additional revenue would strengthen the immigration service, but fees that are too high could deter workers, students and investors.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The measure and effective date have been confirmed by Japan’s immigration service and a municipal information page. Amounts have been given only where an official source specifies them sufficiently.
- confirmed Residence fees are being revised from 1 October 2026. — Official publication by Japan’s immigration service. source
- confirmed Applications received by 30 September at the latest are subject to the old rates. — Information from Shinjuku municipal authorities. source
- confirmed According to the budget information, changing or extending residence status rises from 6,000 yen to around 40,000 yen, depending on the length of stay. — Japanese budget information gives this as an example of the change. source
- confirmed Reductions or exemptions are possible in financial or humanitarian circumstances. — Q&A from the Immigration Services Agency. source
Editor's note
The effective date, procedural changes and rationale have been officially confirmed. The precise rates vary by procedure; therefore, only the official example amount from the budget information has been used.Sources
- Regarding the revision of residence permit fees effective October 1, 2026 — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Q&A over de herziening van verblijfsleges — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Residence Procedure Fees for Foreign Nationals to Be Revised in October — Shinjuku City
- Raising fees related to foreign nationals and enhancement of related measures — Ministry of Finance Japan
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „japan immigratie”
- NU.nl — „japan immigratie”
- De Telegraaf — „japan immigratie”