Should You Apply for Permanent Residence Before the 2026 Fee Increase?

Japan’s 2026 immigration law reform is expected to revise the fee system for immigration procedures. In particular, the application fee for permanent residence may increase significantly according to recent reports.

At present, the fee for a permanent residence application is 10,000 yen, but it may increase to over 100,000 yen, and possibly even around 200,000 yen under the new system.

Because of this, many foreign residents planning to stay in Japan long term are asking questions such as:

- Should I apply for permanent residence before the system changes?

- Is now a good time to apply?

- Do I already meet the requirements for permanent residence?

In this article, we explain the expected changes under the 2026 immigration reform and discuss when it may be worth considering applying for permanent residence sooner rather than later.

How Much Could the Permanent Residence Application Fee Increase?

Currently, the fee for a permanent residence application in Japan is 10,000 yen.

However, under the proposed 2026 policy revision, the legal upper limit for immigration procedure fees will be increased, which means the permanent residence application fee may also be revised substantially.

According to various reports, proposed range under consideration for permanent residence applications are approximately 100,000–300,000 yen.

Some reports suggest that the fee could reach around 200,000 yen. If implemented, this would represent an increase of 10 to 20 times the current fee.

That said, these figures have not yet been officially confirmed (as of 15 March 2026).

Under the proposed reform, the government will first raise the legal maximum fee limit (for example to 100,000 yen or 300,000 yen), while the actual fee amounts will later be determined by Cabinet Order, taking into account practices in other countries.

Therefore, even if the upper limit increases, the final fee does not necessarily have to reach that maximum amount.

Advantages of Applying for Permanent Residence Earlier

There are several potential advantages to applying for permanent residence sooner rather than later.

Lower application fees may still apply

If you submit your application before the new system takes effect, the current fee structure may still apply.

If the permanent residence application fee increases to over 100,000 yen in the future, the difference in cost could be substantial.

For this reason, individuals who already meet the eligibility requirements may wish to consider applying before the new fee system begins.

No more visa renewals

Once permanent residence is granted, your residence status no longer has an expiry date. This means you will no longer need to worry about renewing your residence status and paying renewal fees, which will also be increased by the 2026 reform.

Greater stability in daily life

For foreign residents planning to live in Japan long term, permanent residence provides significant stability.

Permanent residents generally enjoy greater flexibility regarding employment and career changes.

In addition, permanent residence status may be viewed favourably when applying for housing loans or other long-term financial arrangements.

Who May Wish to Consider Applying Soon?

The following individuals may wish to consider preparing a permanent residence application before the new fee system takes effect.

Those who already meet the regular eligibility requirements

The typical requirements for permanent residence include:

• residing in Japan for approximately 10 years or more, including at least 5 years under a work-permitting visa

• having a stable income (an annual income of at least ¥3 million for individuals)

• paying taxes and social insurance properly

• maintaining good conduct

If you already satisfy these conditions, it may be worth preparing an application before the new system begins.

Highly Skilled Professionals who qualify earlier

Under the Highly Skilled Professional Points System, applicants may qualify for permanent residence earlier than usual.

For example:

• 70 points or more → eligible after 3 years of residence

• 80 points or more → eligible after 1 year of residence

Individuals who qualify under this system may also wish to consider applying before the fee increases are implemented.

It is also worth noting that even if you do not currently hold a Highly Skilled Professional visa, you may still qualify for permanent residence earlier under the Highly Skilled Professional points system.

If your points reach the required threshold, you may be treated as a “deemed highly skilled professional”, allowing you to apply for permanent residence after one or three years of residence in Japan.

For example, individuals who hold a master’s degree or higher, have graduated from a Japanese university, or earn a relatively high annual income may be able to meet the points requirements.

Because of this, it may be helpful to calculate your points under the Highly Skilled Professional points system to see whether you may qualify for permanent residence earlier than the standard ten-year requirement.

You can see the point calculation seet here.

Situations Where There Is No Need to Rush

On the other hand, not everyone needs to rush to apply for permanent residence.

For example, you may wish to wait if:

• you have not yet lived in Japan long enough

• your income is not yet stable

• your tax or pension payment history is incomplete

• you have recently changed jobs and your situation is still unstable

Permanent residence applications are carefully reviewed, so proper preparation is important. In some cases, it may be better to strengthen your application before applying.

Timeline for Applying During the 2026 Fiscal Year

The revised immigration fee system is expected to be introduced during the 2026 fiscal year (April 2026 – March 2027).

However, the exact implementation date has not yet been determined, as it will be decided during the upcoming parliamentary deliberations.

It is generally expected that applications submitted before the new system takes effect will be subject to the current fees.

For this reason, individuals considering applying before the fee increases may wish to prepare according to the following approximate timeline.

Spring–Summer 2026	-Parliamentary discussions regarding the immigration law reform - Possible confirmation of the revised law and implementation schedule
Summer–Autumn 2026	- Further details about the implementation date may become available - Individuals considering permanent residence may begin preparing documents
Autumn–Winter 2026	- Possible timing for submitting applications before the new system begins - Final preparation and submission of application documents

Permanent residence applications require a considerable number of documents, such as tax certificates, pension certificates, employment certificates, a guarantor form, a written explanation of reasons for applying.

Obtaining these documents can take time, so early preparation is highly recommended.

Consultation with an Immigration / Administrative Lawyer

Immigration procedures such as permanent residence applications often involve complex documentation, and legal reforms can make the process even more complicated.

In particular, when fee systems change, the timing of an application and the preparation involved may affect the overall process and cost.

If you are considering applying for permanent residence, consulting a professional may help ensure that your application proceeds smoothly.

As an Immigration / Administrative Lawyer, I assist foreign residents with permanent residence applications. Our office provides full English support.

From the initial consultation to document preparation and application submission, all communication can be conducted in English. Even if you are not comfortable using Japanese, you can receive complete support.

We provide services throughout Japan, and online consultations are also available.

If you are considering applying for permanent residence or would like advice regarding the possible fee increases under the 2026 immigration reform, please feel free to contact us.

Free English consultations are available.

We look forward to assisting you.