- June 5, 2026
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Japan has officially passed a revised immigration law that will significantly raise the Japan visa fee caps associated with residence status changes, renewals, and permanent residency permits. If you are living in Japan as a foreign national, this change will directly affect how much you pay to maintain or update your status.
Here is everything you need to know about the Japan visa fee increase in 2026.
Table of Contents
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Chapter 1: What Changed?
On May 29, 2026, Japan’s revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was passed at the House of Councillors plenary session. The law raises the cap on fees that can be charged for the following procedures:
- Change of status of residence (在留資格変更許可)
- Renewal of period of stay (在留期間更新許可)
- Permanent residency permit (永住許可)
The current fee cap for all of these procedures is ¥10,000. Under the revised law, the new caps are as follows:
| Procedure | Current Fee Cap | New Fee Cap |
|---|---|---|
|
Change of status / Renewal |
¥10,000 |
¥100,000 |
|
Permanent residency permit |
¥10,000 |
¥¥300,000 |
Please note that these are caps, not the fees themselves. The actual amounts will be determined separately by cabinet order (政令).
Chapter 2: Why Is Japan Raising These Fees?
The Japan visa fee revision comes at a time when Japan’s foreign resident population has reached a record high of approximately 4.13 million people as of the end of 2025. The government has cited the following factors in determining the new fee structure:
- The actual administrative costs involved in processing visa applications
- The costs required for fair management of immigration and residency in Japan
- Japan visa fee levels for equivalent procedures in other countries
The new structure will also introduce a tiered system, where those with longer periods of residence will be subject to higher Japan visa fees.
Chapter 3: When Will the New Japan Visa Fees Take Effect?
The revised Japan visa fee provisions are set to come into force by March 31, 2027, on a date to be determined by cabinet order. The exact amounts have not yet been officially announced.
The current Japan visa fee structure remains in place until the cabinet order is issued.
Chapter4: Are There Exemptions?
Yes. The revised law includes a provision allowing for Japan visa fee reductions or full exemptions for applicants who face financial hardship or other special circumstances. The specific criteria for eligibility will be clarified in the cabinet order.
Chapter5: What This Japan Visa Fee Increase Means for You
If you are currently planning to apply for a change of status, renewal, or permanent residency, the following points are worth keeping in mind:
- Applications submitted before the cabinet order takes effect will be processed under the current Japan visa fee structure
- Permanent residency applicants should be aware that the new cap of ¥300,000 represents a significant increase and may affect long-term planning
- Those experiencing financial difficulties may be eligible for a Japan visa fee reduction or exemption once the detailed criteria are published
* This article covers publicly available information regarding the revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act as of May 2026. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal or immigration advice. As the actual Japan visa fee amounts have not yet been confirmed by cabinet order, we recommend monitoring official announcements from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified administrative scrivener.
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Revised Immigration Control Act (PDF)
