Japan Visa Renewal Fees in 2026: Proposed Costs for Residence Status and Permanent Residency
Japan is preparing to make major changes to immigration fees from October 1, 2026.
Under the government proposal, renewing or changing a status of residence could cost between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000, depending on the period granted. The fee for permanent residence could rise from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
These figures are still part of the proposed fee schedule, so anyone applying should check the latest announcement from Japan’s Immigration Services Agency before making plans.
Even after living in Japan for many years, I still do not enjoy visiting immigration. I usually keep the whole day free because I never know how long the process will take. I take a book with me, collect a number, and wait. By the time everything is finished, half the day may already be gone.
When I first saw the proposed fees, my reaction was not only, “That is expensive.” I also wondered whether the service itself would become faster and easier.
How Much Could Japan’s Visa Renewal Fees Increase?
At present, a successful application to renew or change a status of residence costs ¥6,000 at an immigration office. The online fee is ¥5,500.
Under the proposed system, the amount would no longer be the same for everyone. It would depend on the new period of stay granted after the application is approved.
| Period of Stay Granted | At Immigration Office | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 |
| 3 years to under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 |
| 5 years or longer | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
For example, someone granted a three-year period of stay would fall into the “3 years to under 5 years” category. The proposed fee would be ¥64,000 at an immigration office or ¥56,000 online.
The fee would not change according to nationality. It would be based on the period of stay granted and the application method.
This is important because applicants cannot simply choose whether immigration gives them one, three, or five years. Two people with the same status of residence may receive different periods after their applications are reviewed.
Could Permanent Residence Really Cost ¥200,000?
Yes. The proposed fee for permanent residence is ¥200,000.
The current fee is ¥10,000 and is paid when permanent residence is granted. If the proposal takes effect as written, the government fee would become twenty times higher.
This was the part that concerned me most.
I once asked an administrative scrivener about applying for permanent residence. The professional fee I was quoted was around ¥200,000, which was more than I could manage at the time. I postponed the application because of the cost.
If the government fee alone becomes ¥200,000, applicants who hire professional help could face a much larger total bill. Couples and families may feel the burden even more because fees are generally charged per applicant.
You do not have to hire an administrative scrivener to apply. Some people prepare the documents themselves. Even then, obtaining certificates, visiting government offices, traveling to immigration, and taking time away from work can all add to the practical cost.
Why Is Japan Raising Immigration Fees?
The Immigration Services Agency says the proposed fees reflect the cost of reviewing applications, staffing, maintaining administrative systems, and managing services related to foreign residents.
Online applications would generally cost less than applications made at an immigration office. This appears intended to encourage more people to use the online system and reduce pressure on busy counters.
When I read that explanation, I immediately thought about the waiting time.
Anyone who has spent hours at an immigration office will understand why foreign residents may expect more than a digital application form in return for such a large increase. Shorter waiting times, clearer instructions, easier online procedures, and better support in multiple languages would make the new costs easier to understand.
What Does This Mean for Foreign Residents Already in Japan?
The change could affect people who:
Regularly renew their status of residence
Plan to change to a different status
Are considering permanent residence
Expect to remain in Japan for many years
Support several family members with separate applications
The effect will not be the same for everyone.
A person granted one year would pay less at one time than someone granted three or five years. However, a one-year resident may have to renew more often. A longer period costs more under the proposal, but it also means fewer renewal applications.
The proposal therefore creates a new question for household budgeting: not only when your residence card expires, but also how much you may need to set aside for the next approval.
What Should You Check Before Your Next Renewal?
There is no need to rush to immigration simply because the proposed fees have been announced. Renewal applications are normally accepted only within a limited period before the current status expires.
Instead, check the following items early:
The expiration date on your residence card
The expiration date of your passport
Your tax payment records
Pension and health insurance payment records
Employment and income documents
Whether your application can be completed online
How long it may take to collect the required certificates
I have learned that the renewal itself is less stressful when the paperwork is already organized. Keeping copies of tax, pension, insurance, and employment records can save a surprising amount of time later.
People considering permanent residence should also avoid applying only because they are worried about the fee increase. First check whether you meet the requirements and whether your payment history and documents are in order.
Will Lower-Income Residents Receive a Discount?
The government proposal includes limited reductions or exemptions for certain people facing severe financial hardship and requiring humanitarian consideration.
However, this does not appear to be a general discount for everyone with a low income.
The proposed reduction could lower qualifying fees for a residence status change or renewal and for permanent residence, but eligibility would depend on specific conditions. Anyone who believes they may qualify should wait for the final rules and confirm the details directly with the Immigration Services Agency.
Are the New Fees Already Final?
The new amounts are connected to a planned implementation date of October 1, 2026, but they should still be described as proposed fees until the final rules and official instructions are published.
That distinction matters.
Online posts sometimes present the ¥200,000 permanent residence fee as though applicants must pay it today. They do not. The current fee remains ¥10,000, and the current renewal fee remains ¥6,000 at the counter or ¥5,500 online.
Before applying, check the Immigration Services Agency website rather than relying only on social media posts or older blog articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a three-year status of residence. How much would renewal cost?
If you are granted another three-year period, the proposed fee would be ¥64,000 at an immigration office or ¥56,000 online.
The amount would be based on the period granted after approval, not simply the period written on your current residence card.
Is an online application cheaper?
Under the proposal, online applications would generally be cheaper for periods longer than three months.
Not every applicant can necessarily use the system in the same way, so check the current eligibility rules and procedures before relying on the online price.
Do existing permanent residents have to pay ¥200,000?
No. People who already have permanent resident status would not be charged ¥200,000 simply because the fee changes.
The proposed amount applies when a new permanent residence application is approved.
Would the fee be refunded if permanent residence is refused?
The current government fee is charged upon approval rather than when the application is first submitted. Applicants should confirm the final payment rules once the new system is officially published.
Final Thoughts
The proposed 2026 immigration fee increase is not a small adjustment.
A one-year renewal could cost ¥33,000 at an immigration office, a three-year approval could cost ¥64,000, and permanent residence could cost ¥200,000.
For people who have built their lives in Japan, these are household expenses that may require advance planning.
Having gone through several renewals myself—and having postponed permanent residence because professional help was already too expensive—I understand why this proposal feels worrying.
At the same time, the final details still matter. The best thing foreign residents can do now is check their residence card, keep important payment records organized, learn whether online filing is available, and follow official announcements.
If fees rise this much, I also hope the process becomes easier to understand, quicker to complete, and less likely to take up an entire day.
.png)
