Japan has introduced a significant hike in permanent residency fees, which will come into effect on October 1, 2026.
The fee for permanent residence-related procedures will increase from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
The ordinance was officially accepted by the Japanese government on August 25, after first being discussed as a proposal.
The new charge will be a big shift in immigration costs in Japan and will have an impact on foreign residents seeking permanent residency following the implementation of the new regulations.
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Permanent Residency Fees have been increased
The fees for permanent residency-related procedures as of now are ¥10,000. The charge will be raised to ¥200,000 from October.
Instead of implementing the revised fee gradually, the government’s decision will impose the full revised fee immediately.
There are other immigration fees that will also change.
Japan is also changing fees for other residence procedures.
Many applications paying the flat fee of ¥6,000 for changing or renewing residence will switch to a tiered fee system.
The new structure will see the in-person application fee begin at around ¥10,000 for less than 3 months’ stay and could hit up to ¥75,000 for more than 5 years of residency.
The actual charges will vary based on whether the applicant is a resident of the country and the time they will be able to stay.
Changes will take place in October.
This is part of a new immigration administrative system that Japan is implementing.
The increased cost will thus affect foreign residents who wish to apply for permanent residence or renew or change their status after October 1.
Among the most significant changes in the ordinance is the permanent residency fee, which will go up from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
Also read: Japan’s five-year skilled worker visa: What foreign workers need to know