[2026–2027] Massive Fee Hikes for Japanese Visas and Permanent Residency: What You Can Do Now

Navigating Japan’s immigration system is about to become significantly more expensive. The fees for procedures related to foreign nationals’ residence status are expected to see a steep increase in the near future.
While the fees for applications such as change of status of residence, extension of period of stay, and permanent residency were just recently revised on April 1, 2025, further changes are on the horizon. On May 29, 2026, an amendment to the Immigration Control Act was enacted, substantially raising the statutory upper limits for these procedures.

Looming Fee Increases in Fiscal Year 2026

Under the newly enacted amendment, the legal cap for immigration-related fees will skyrocket. Here is a comparison of the current fees and the new statutory limits:

Procedure	Current Fee	Statutory Upper Limit (Post-Amendment)
Change of Status of Residence	¥6,000 (In-person) ¥5,500 (Online)	¥100,000
Extension of Period of Stay	¥6,000 (In-person) ¥5,500 (Online)	¥100,000
Permanent Residency (PR)	¥10,000	¥300,000

Note: The “statutory upper limit” refers to the maximum amount the government is legally allowed to charge. It does not necessarily mean a visa renewal will instantly cost ¥100,000 or a PR application ¥300,000.

According to recent media reports, the actual fees for visa renewals and changes of status will likely be tiered based on the length of the period of stay granted.

Current expectations suggest the following fee structure

Period of Stay / Application Details	Estimated Amount
Period of stay of 3 months or less	~¥10,000
Period of stay of 1 year	~¥20,000 to ¥30,000
Period of stay of 3 years	~¥30,000 to ¥50,000
Period of stay of 5 years: Up to	~¥70,000
Average renewal/change of status fee	~¥30,000 to ¥40,000
Permanent residency application	~¥200,000

When Will the New Fees Take Effect?

While the exact implementation date has not been finalized, the government aims to roll out the new fee structure during Fiscal Year 2026. The specific enforcement date and finalized amounts will be determined by a future Cabinet Order.

Which applications will the new fees apply to?
During the previous fee revision on April 1, 2025, the determining factor was the “date of application acceptance.” Whether an applicant paid the old or new fee depended entirely on when their application was officially received by immigration—not when it was approved or when the new residence card was issued. It is highly likely this same rule will apply to the upcoming increases.

Who Will Feel the Biggest Impact?

It is no exaggeration to say this hike will impact almost every foreign national residing in Japan, save for those who already hold Permanent Resident status. Even the previous fees were not considered cheap, but the new structure will hit certain groups particularly hard

Permanent Residency Applicants

The PR fee jump is the most drastic. With the cap raised from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000 (and actual fees expected around ¥200,000), applying early is crucial. If you are considering PR, evaluate your eligibility now and apply as soon as possible.

Holders of Consecutive One-Year Visas

If you consistently receive only one-year renewals, you could soon find yourself paying ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 annually just to maintain your status.

Companies Employing Specified Skilled Workers

Employers typically cover renewal costs for Specified Skilled Workers. For companies employing 10, 20, or 50 foreign staff members, this will become a massive recurring expense.

Large Families

Since renewal fees apply per person, a household of foreign nationals will face a compounded financial burden. For instance, a couple with one child applying for PR could face combined approval fees ranging from ¥600,000 to ¥900,000.

Actionable Steps: What You Can Do Now

The era of thinking, “As long as my visa gets renewed, I’m fine,” is over. The goal now must be securing longer periods of stay (three or five years) to minimize costs.

Confirm Your Renewal Timing

Check your residence card’s expiration date today. Last-minute preparations often lead to incomplete documents or weak applications, which can result in a shorter visa period.

Verify Tax, Pension, and Health Insurance Payments

Unpaid or delayed payments will severely damage your chances for a longer visa or PR approval. For PR applications, a flawless payment history is mandatory.

Submit Required Notifications on Time

Have you changed jobs, moved, married, divorced, or experienced a corporate merger? Ensure all mandatory notifications have been submitted to the Immigration Services Agency.

For Employers

Companies must tighten their compliance and labor management systems to help their foreign employees secure five-year visas. Proactively addressing issues—such as expired visas, unauthorized work, or discrepancies between visa categories and actual duties—is no longer optional. View this upcoming fee hike as an urgent catalyst to audit your foreign employment practices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When exactly will the visa renewal fee increase begin?

The amended Immigration Control Act was enacted on May 29, 2026, but the specific enforcement date and official fee amounts will be set by Cabinet Order. Implementation is expected sometime during FY2026.

Q2. Will the permanent residency fee really be ¥300,000?

Not necessarily. ¥300,000 is the new legal maximum. Media reports and industry experts estimate the actual fee will land around ¥200,000, though we must wait for the official Cabinet Order for confirmation.

Q3. If I apply before the enforcement date, can I pay the old fee?

Likely, yes. During the April 2025 revision, applications accepted before the cutoff date were processed under the old fee structure, regardless of when they were approved. If you are eligible, applying early is highly recommended.

Q4. I keep receiving only one-year renewals. How can I fix this?

With fees rising, one-year renewals will become a heavy financial burden. Reasons for short renewals vary: income instability, your employer’s financial health, your specific job duties, minor tax delays, or simply poorly prepared application documents. Consult a professional to review your situation before your next renewal.

Q5. Is it cheaper to apply online?

Currently, yes. Under the April 2025 revision, paper applications submitted in person cost ¥6,000, while online applications are slightly discounted at ¥5,500. Even after the upcoming massive fee hikes, the government may continue to offer preferential pricing for digital applications, though the exact figures have yet to be announced.

Q6. How should companies prepare if they employ foreign staff?

First, create a comprehensive internal registry. Track your foreign employees’ visa expiration dates, current residence statuses, whether they have dependents in Japan, and your company’s policy on who covers renewal costs.

Next, proactively assess the financial impact of the upcoming fee hikes. Decide who will handle the application paperwork, determine what should be outsourced to legal experts, and review your employment contracts and job descriptions to help your staff qualify for five-year visas. Moving forward, effective visa management is no longer just an administrative chore—it is a critical pillar of HR, labor management, and corporate compliance.

Q7. When is the best time to seek professional advice?

Don’t wait until the last minute. Whether you are applying for a visa extension, a status change, or Permanent Residency, verify your eligibility as early as possible. Issues like missing pension and tax payments, dependent family structures, or fluctuating income cannot be fixed overnight. Finding out now whether you are ready to apply—or what specifically needs fixing—drastically reduces the risk of rejection or another disappointing one-year renewal.

The Bottom Line: Transitioning from “Cheap & Frequent” to “High-Quality” Applications

The era of cheap, routine visa renewals is officially over. We are entering a period that demands high-quality applications. Your new priorities should be maximizing your chances of approval, securing the longest possible period of stay, minimizing the risk of rejection or re-application, and staying ahead of the upcoming legislative changes.
The strategies required for visa extensions, status changes, and Permanent Residency applications differ drastically depending on your unique circumstances.

• “I want to secure a 3-year or 5-year visa next time.”
• “I want to check if I am eligible for Permanent Residency right now.”
• “I want to know if I can apply before the fees go up.”
• “We need to overhaul our company’s expiration date tracking for foreign staff.”
• “We want to establish a solid internal compliance system before costs increase.”
  If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, it’s time to speak with an expert.

At Torikani Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi) Office, we provide tailored legal support for individuals and corporations alike. From routine renewals and PR applications to corporate consulting for foreign employment, we are here to help you navigate these complex changes.
Let’s sit down and review your situation together.

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