Japan raises permanent residency fees 20-fold to 200,000 yen

October 1, 2026 at 07:11 AM2 min

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Japan raised the fee for permanent residency applications to 200,000 yen ($1,270) from 1 October, a 20-fold increase. The change is part of broader immigration policy reforms under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, including new income, pension, and Japanese-language requirements. Long lines formed at immigration offices ahead of the hike, with Tokyo's main bureau reporting wait times over seven hours.

Key Facts

The permanent residency application fee rose from 8,000 yen to 200,000 yen ($1,270) on 1 October.
Applicants must now meet new income, pension, and Japanese-language requirements.
Tokyo's main immigration bureau reported wait times of over seven hours as applicants rushed to beat the fee hike.
Japan's foreign resident population surpassed 4.12 million at the end of 2025, a record 9.5% increase from the previous year.
From April next year, permanent residency applicants will face tighter requirements, including basic Japanese language proficiency.

Fee Increases

The fee for permanent residency applications increased 20-fold to 200,000 yen ($1,270) on 1 October. Non-permanent residents previously paid 6,000 yen each time they applied to change their residency status or extend their stay. From 1 October, the fee varies by duration of stay sought, ranging from 10,000 yen for three months or less to 75,000 yen for five years or more. Applicants facing financial hardship or designated as refugees will receive discounts.

Policy Context

The fee increases are part of immigration policy changes under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aimed at managing Japan's growing foreign population. In July, Japan implemented a five-fold increase in visa fees for all foreigners, its first visa fee hike in 50 years. Authorities said the visa fee hike was meant to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. Takaichi has made managing immigration a key priority since taking office in October last year.

New Requirements

Aspiring permanent residents must now earn a stable income at or above the Japanese average, which was 5.75 million yen as of 2024. From April next year, permanent residency applicants will face even tighter requirements, including basic Japanese language proficiency. The new language requirement has led to a surge in enrollments at Japanese language schools and sign-ups for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, local media reported.