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Japan Proposes 20-Fold Increase to Permanent Residency Fees

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Japan is planning a dramatic increase in immigration-related fees, including a 20-fold increase for permanent residency applications, as the government continues tightening immigration policies amid a record-high foreign resident population.

Under the proposal, the fee for a permanent residency application would rise from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. Fees for other immigration procedures would also increase substantially, including:

Residence status changes: 4,000 yen → 10,000 yen
Extension of period of stay: 4,000 yen → 10,000 yen
Residence card reissuance: 1,600 yen → 4,000 yen
Multiple other immigration-related applications would also see similar increases.

According to the government, the fee hikes are intended to better reflect the actual administrative costs of processing applications and modernizing Japan’s immigration system. The proposal would also raise the legal maximum fee the government is allowed to charge, providing flexibility for future adjustments.

The proposal follows another recent change that took effect on July 1, when Japan increased entry visa fees for the first time in nearly 50 years. Single-entry visas rose from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, while multiple-entry visas increased from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

The higher fees are part of a broader series of immigration reforms announced in recent weeks. The government has also proposed introducing Japanese language proficiency and lifestyle education requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residency, covering topics such as garbage sorting, disaster preparedness, and community etiquette as Japan seeks to standardize integration policies nationwide.

The proposed fee increases have not yet taken effect, but if approved they are expected to be implemented as early as October 2026.

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