SORABYCO | Life in Japan

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 success...

When I first began living in Japan, permanent residence was not something I felt I needed right away. I already had Long-Term Resident status, which allowed me to work without restrictions. I had also heard that permanent residents still had to renew their residence cards, so I assumed the two statuses were not very different in everyday life. At the time, I honestly thought: “I can always apply later.” After living in Japan for more than ten years, I finally looked into the system more carefully. That was when I realized I had misunderstood something important. Permanent residents renew their residence cards, but they do not need to extend their period of stay. Long-Term Residents, on the other hand, still receive a limited period of stay—often one, three, or five years—and must apply for an extension before it expires. This difference is the main reason permanent residence may be worth considering for people planning to remain in Japan long term. I am not an immigration professional....