Japan Residence Permit Fees Rise From October 1, 2026: Permanent Residency Jumps to ¥200,000
More about the process, eligibility rules, and paperwork
Japan’s Cabinet approved an ordinance on August 25, 2026, raising the fees foreign nationals pay for residence procedures. The new rates take effect October 1, 2026, under a revision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
The headline change: a permanent residence permit will cost ¥200,000 (about $1,250), up from ¥10,000 — a twenty-fold increase. Permanent residence applications must still be filed in person, so there is no online rate. If you are weighing whether to apply, this guide to permanent residency in Japan covers more about the process, eligibility rules, and paperwork.
What the new fees look like
Renewals and changes of residence status move from a flat ¥6,000 (¥5,500 online) to a tiered structure based on the length of stay granted, with a discount for filing online.
| Procedure | Now | From Oct 1 (counter) | From Oct 1 (online) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | ¥10,000 | ¥200,000 | n/a (in person only) |
| Renewal / change — stay up to 3 months | ¥6,000 / ¥5,500 | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Renewal / change — 1-year stay | ¥6,000 / ¥5,500 | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
| Renewal / change — 5 years or longer | ¥6,000 / ¥5,500 | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
Intermediate bands (over 3–6 months, 6 months–1 year, over 1–3 years, 3–5 years) sit between these figures. Certificate of Eligibility applications remain free.
Reduced fees for hardship cases
The government says fees will be reduced for applicants in financial difficulty, including people recognised as refugees.
Why the increase
Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi told reporters the higher fees are needed to fund the policy of building “an orderly society coexisting with foreign nationals,” calling the measure “extremely meaningful” and saying he intends to see it appropriately managed. The Immigration Services Agency has framed the revision as recovering both application processing costs and wider spending on immigration and foreign-resident policy.
What to do before October 1
Fees are set by the date an application is received, not decided. Applications accepted on or before September 30, 2026 are charged at current rates. Anyone with a renewal, status change, or permanent residence application close to due should check their timing now — filing a few days earlier could be the difference between ¥6,000 and ¥75,000.
The tiered structure also changes the maths for anyone planning a move into self-employment: a Business Manager status change now carries a fee that scales with the period granted, so it is worth folding into your budget if you want to start a business in Japan.
FAQ
When do Japan’s new residence permit fees start? October 1, 2026, for applications received on or after that date.
How much is permanent residency in Japan now? ¥200,000 from October 1, 2026, up from ¥10,000. It can only be applied for in person.
Is online cheaper? Yes, for renewals and status changes of more than three months — by roughly ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 depending on the period granted. There is no online discount for permanent residence or for stays of three months or less.
Do these fees apply to a Certificate of Eligibility? No. COE applications remain free.
Yen-to-dollar conversions are approximate and move with the exchange rate. Fee figures reflect the ordinance approved August 25, 2026; confirm current amounts with the Immigration Services Agency before applying.
