Timeline update — June 25, 2026
Initial reporting suggested October 2026 implementation for residence status fee changes. Immigration law specialists with direct knowledge have since clarified: the new fees for visa renewals, status changes, and permanent residency will not begin before the end of Japan's fiscal year (March 2027) at the earliest. The government still needs to finalize exemption categories and provide adequate public notice before the new ordinance takes effect. The July 1, 2026 fee increase reported in some news sources refers exclusively to short-stay tourist visa fees — not residence status renewals or PR applications.
The Immigration Services Agency presented a sweeping proposal to raise residence status fees on June 24, 2026, targeting implementation as early as October 2026. If enacted, the changes will affect every foreign resident in Japan who renews or changes their visa status — and the permanent residency fee increase in particular is the most dramatic in the system's history.
The Proposed New Fee Schedule
The current flat fee of ¥6,000 for all visa status changes and renewals would be replaced with a duration-based structure:
| Residence period | Proposed fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | ¥10,000 |
| 3–6 months | ¥18,000 |
| 7–11 months | ¥25,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 |
| 1–3 years | ¥48,000 |
| 3–5 years | ¥64,000 |
| 5 years or longer | ¥75,000 |
| Permanent Residency | ¥200,000 |
Online applications receive a ¥10,000 discount across most categories, with the exception of the under-3-months category. Permanent residency applications remain counter-only — no online option is available.
The PR Fee — A 200-Fold Increase
¥1,000 → ¥200,000: the permanent residency fee proposal
The current permanent residency application fee of ¥1,000 — one of the lowest in the world for a permanent immigration status — is proposed to rise to ¥200,000. This is a 200-fold increase and represents the most significant single change in the proposal. The Immigration Services Agency's stated rationale is that fee revenue will fund Japanese language education support for foreign residents. The revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act passed in May 2026 authorizes the government to set fees by cabinet ordinance, with a stated cap of ¥300,000 for PR applications — meaning ¥200,000 is within the authorized ceiling.
What Happens Next — The Public Comment Process
These are proposals, not yet law
The specific fee amounts have not yet been finalized. The Immigration Services Agency will conduct a public comment period (パブリックコメント, public opinion gathering) before the Ministry of Justice Ordinance is revised to set the actual figures. The proposed October 2026 implementation date is a target, not a guarantee. TokyoPath will update this article as the public comment period opens and closes.
What This Means If You're Planning to Apply
If PR is on your timeline, the calculation just changed
Under current rules, the PR application fee is ¥1,000 — essentially negligible in planning terms. Under the proposed structure, it becomes ¥200,000. If you are currently eligible to apply for permanent residency or expect to become eligible within the next few months, the timing of your application relative to the October implementation date matters financially. Applicants who submit before the fee change takes effect are generally expected to pay the current fee, though official confirmation of transition arrangements has not yet been published. Monitoring the public comment process and Immigration Services Agency announcements closely is the right approach from here.
If you're renewing a work visa
For standard work visa renewals (技人国, Specified Skilled Worker, Business Manager, etc.), the proposed fee increases are significant but not extreme — a 1-year renewal currently costs ¥6,000 flat; under the proposal it would cost ¥33,000. A 3-year renewal would cost ¥64,000. These figures are per application, not per year.
Official Sources
This article references the following primary sources. Rules and figures change periodically — always verify current requirements directly before making decisions.