Permanent Residency Fee Set to Rise Sharply
Foreign nationals planning to settle permanently in Japan will soon have to pay significantly more for permanent residency. From October 1, 2026Japan will increase the permanent residency application fee from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yenequivalent to roughly ₹1.2 lakh.
The increase represents a staggering 1,900% jumpmaking Japan’s permanent residency process considerably more expensive for foreigners seeking to establish a long-term future in the country.
New Residency Fees Based on Stay Duration
The changes will not be limited to permanent residency applications. Japan is also introducing a new tiered fee structure for foreigners applying to extend or change their residency status.
For applications made in person, an extension of up to three months will cost 10,000 yenwhile a one-year extension will cost 33,000 yen. The fee rises to 64,000 yen for stays of three to less than five years and 75,000 yen for stays of five years or longer.
Previously, applications to renew or change residency status generally carried a uniform fee of 6,000 yen.
Government Raises Legal Fee Limits
The fee increases follow amendments to Japan’s immigration law approved earlier this year.
Under the revised framework, the government can charge up to 100,000 yen for temporary residency procedures and up to 300,000 yen for permanent residency applications. However, the actual permanent residency fee being introduced from October is 200,000 yenrather than the full 300,000-yen ceiling.
The distinction is important because the 300,000-yen figure represents the statutory upper limit, not the standard amount applicants will pay.
Why Is Japan Increasing the Fees?
The fee increase comes as Japan takes a stricter approach to immigration and permanent residency.
Permanent residency provides foreigners with greater long-term stability, including freedom from repeated residence-period extensions and fewer restrictions associated with temporary residence statuses. The government has therefore moved to significantly increase the cost of obtaining this status.
The changes also bring Japan’s immigration-related fees closer to the costs associated with administering increasingly complex residency applications.
Some Applicants May Qualify for Relief
Japan has retained provisions allowing fee reductions for people facing serious financial or humanitarian difficulties.
Following public consultation, the government expanded the categories of people who may qualify for reduced fees. These include certain foreigners raising the biological children of Japanese nationals or special permanent residents on their own, as well as individuals for whom refusing residency could be considered inhumane.
However, these concessions will apply only to applicants who meet the specific eligibility conditions.
October 1 Becomes an Important Date
The changes are particularly relevant for foreigners who are already eligible for permanent residency and are considering when to submit their applications.
Applications filed before the new rules take effect can remain subject to the existing fee structure under the transitional arrangements. This makes the period before October 1 significant for people who are ready to apply and want to avoid the much higher charge.
For those applying later, the new 200,000-yen fee will become a substantial additional cost in the permanent residency process.
Japan’s Immigration Policy Enters a New Phase
The fee increase is part of a broader shift in Japan’s approach to foreign residents. While the country continues to attract workers, students, skilled professionals and other foreign nationals, authorities are also tightening administrative systems surrounding residency.
For people considering Japan as a long-term destination, the changes mean that immigration planning will increasingly involve higher government fees alongside the existing eligibility and documentation requirements.
The dramatic increase in the permanent residency fee is likely to be especially noticeable for applicants from countries where ₹1.2 lakh represents a significant expense.
Summary
Japan will raise its permanent residency application fee from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, or around ₹1.2 lakh, from October 1, representing a 1,900% increase. Residency extension and status-change fees will also rise and become dependent on the duration requested. The government has retained provisions for fee reductions in certain financial and humanitarian circumstances.