What changed in Japan’s residency fees

Japan approved a change to the Immigration Control Act on March 10, 2026 that lifts the statutory ceiling for permanent residency (Eijū) applications from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen. Officials expect the actual fee to land near 200,000 yen once the cabinet sets the final ordinance.

The cap for status changes and visa extensions will rise to 100,000 yen from 10,000 yen. The Ministry of Justice said the higher limits are meant to cover administrative costs tied to more than 4.13 million foreign residents.

Who pays more

Long-term expats seeking permanent residency face the biggest jump. Digital nomads on longer-stay visas could also pay more when renewing or extending status, while short-term tourists won’t be affected because the fees apply to in-country residency procedures.

The ministry has said exemptions are planned for some cases, including financial hardship and spouses or children of Japanese nationals. Final fee tiers haven't been set yet, so the exact bill will depend on stay length and the ordinance the cabinet issues.

What applicants should do now

Current fees still apply until the new schedule takes effect and the rollout is targeted before March 31, 2027. Applicants who are eligible under today’s rates may want to file before the higher charges kick in.

The Immigration Services Agency has also outlined tiered renewal fees, including about 10,000 yen for a 3-month extension, 30,000 yen for 1 year, 60,000 yen for 3 years and 70,000 yen for 5 years. Fees are paid with revenue stamps after approval and online filing is slightly cheaper for some procedures.

Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture.