apan has approved a sharp increase in its permanent residency fee, raising the cost from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 from October 2026.
The increase represents a 1,900% jump and makes the fee 20 times higher than the current charge.
The Japanese government formally adopted the ordinance on August 25. The new immigration fee structure will take effect on October 1, 2026.
The move forms part of wider changes to Japan’s immigration system. The government will also significantly raise fees for changing or renewing residence status.
Japan’s parliament approved amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act on May 29. The legislation was promulgated on June 5. It included higher statutory limits for immigration-related fees.
Permanent Residency Fee Jumps to ¥200,000
At present, foreign residents pay ¥10,000 for permanent residence permission.
From October 1, the fee will rise to ¥200,000.
That means an applicant will pay an additional ¥190,000 under the new system.
The increase is particularly significant because Japan is implementing the full rise at once. The government has not introduced a gradual increase.
The current ¥10,000 fee itself only took effect in April 2025. Before that change, permanent residence permission cost ¥8,000.
Japan had initially presented the ¥200,000 figure as part of a proposed fee structure in July. The August 25 ordinance has now confirmed the amount.
Applications submitted before October 1 will remain subject to the current fee schedule. This applies even if authorities issue a decision after the new charges take effect, according to immigration advisory firm Fragomen.
Residence Renewal Fees Also Rise Sharply
Permanent residency is not the only procedure becoming more expensive.
Japan will replace the current flat ¥6,000 fee for many in-person residence extensions and status changes with a tiered structure.
From October, an in-person application involving a stay of up to three months will cost ¥10,000.
The fee will rise to ¥18,000 for more than three months and up to six months. A period of more than six months but under one year will cost ¥25,000.
For a one-year period, the fee will reach ¥33,000.
Applicants receiving more than one year but less than three years will pay ¥48,000. A period of three years to under five years will cost ¥64,000.
The highest in-person fee will be ¥75,000 for periods of five years or longer.
Online applications will remain cheaper for several categories.
Online fees will range from ¥10,000 to ¥65,000, depending on the residence period granted. Permanent residence applications do not have an equivalent online fee option under the published structure.
The government has also expanded the group of people who may qualify for reduced fees. Reports said this includes some applicants facing financial hardship and people with refugee status.
Millions of Foreign Residents Could Feel Impact
The higher fees come as Japan’s foreign resident population continues to grow.
Official Immigration Services Agency data showed 4,125,395 foreign residents at the end of 2025. That was a record and marked the first time the figure had exceeded four million.
The total increased by 356,418, or 9.5%, from a year earlier.
Permanent residents made up the largest single residence-status group.
Japan had 947,125 permanent residents at the end of 2025, an increase of 29,009 from the previous year.
The fee changes therefore affect a system serving a growing foreign population.
Japan’s government has also been reviewing permanent residency rules more broadly. The Justice Ministry announced revisions to permanent residence guidelines in August, with parts of those changes also beginning from October 1.
For foreign residents planning to seek permanent status, timing could now make a substantial financial difference.
Those who submit qualifying applications before October 1 can remain under the current fee structure. Applicants filing after the deadline will face the new ¥200,000 permanent residency charge.
The October changes will also raise the cost of routine residence renewals and status changes, particularly for people receiving longer periods of stay.
