Foreign nationals planning to make Japan their permanent home could soon face a much higher cost.
Japan has decided to significantly increase fees for permanent residency and other residency procedures from October 1, 2026.
The biggest increase is for permanent residency applications.
The fee will rise from 10,000 yen (around ₹6,000) to 200,000 yen (around ₹1.2 lakh).
That means the permanent residency fee will increase by around 1,900%.
Residency Renewal Will Also Become More Expensive
The new fee structure will also affect foreigners who want to renew or change their residency status.
Until now, renewing or changing residency status generally cost a uniform 6,000 yen (around ₹3,600).
From October 1, the fee will depend on the length of the residency period requested.
For applications made in person at an administrative office:
Up to 3 months: 10,000 yen (around ₹6,000)
1 year: 33,000 yen (around ₹19,800)
3 years to less than 5 years: 64,000 yen (around ₹38,400)
5 years or more: 75,000 yen (around ₹45,000)
Government Gets Power to Increase Fees Further
The changes were approved by Japan’s Cabinet under amendments to the country’s immigration law introduced earlier this year.
The revised law allows the government to charge up to 100,000 yen (around ₹60,000) for temporary residency procedures.
For permanent residency, the upper limit has been set at 300,000 yen (around ₹1.8 lakh), with the final fees decided through government regulations.
Some Applicants May Get Fee Relief
There is some relief for foreign nationals facing serious financial or humanitarian difficulties.
Following public feedback, Japan expanded the category of people who may qualify for reduced fees.
This includes certain foreign nationals who are raising the biological children of Japanese nationals or special permanent residents on their own.
People for whom refusing residency could be considered inhumane may also qualify for reduced fees.
October 1 Is an Important Date for Foreign Residents
The fee hike comes as Japan takes a stricter approach to immigration and permanent residency.
For foreigners planning to stay in Japan for the long term, October 1, 2026, is an important date to remember.
Anyone considering a permanent residency application or a residency renewal should take the new fee structure into account when planning their application.
