2026 Immigration Law Reform in Japan | Fee Increases for Visa Renewal, Status Change and Permanent Residence Applications (For Foreign Residents)

On 10 March 2026, the Japanese government approved a bill to amend the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (commonly known as the Immigration Act) at a Cabinet meeting and submitted it to the National Diet. The proposed amendment includes several important changes affecting residence procedures for foreign nationals living in Japan.

The main reforms include the following:

• A significant increase in the legal upper limit for immigration procedure fees

• Introduction of a fee system based on the length of the residence period

• An increase in the application fee for permanent residence

• Introduction of an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA)

• Stronger measures against illegal overstaying and enhanced immigration control

One of the most notable changes is the plan to raise the legal upper limit on immigration procedure fees, which has previously been capped at 10,000 yen under the law. If the amendment is passed, the government will be able to set higher fees for various residence procedures.

The exact fee amounts have not yet been finalised and are expected to be determined by Cabinet Order in the future. The new fee structure could be introduced during the 2026 fiscal year.

According to the government, revenue generated from the increased fees will be used to improve support systems for foreign residents, strengthen immigration administration, and enhance measures against illegal overstaying.

Until now, immigration procedures in Japan — such as visa renewals, status changes, and permanent residence applications — have been relatively inexpensive, often costing only several thousand yen to around 10,000 yen. However, the upcoming reform may significantly increase these costs.

In particular, visa renewal fees and permanent residence application fees may rise substantially, making this reform highly impactful for foreign nationals currently living in Japan.

In fact, many foreign residents have recently asked questions such as:

• How much will visa renewal fees increase?

• How much will permanent residence applications cost?

• Should I apply before the new system takes effect?

This article explains the key points of the 2026 immigration law reform, with a particular focus on the expected increases in immigration procedure fees for foreign residents in Japan.

Key Points of the 2026 Immigration Law Reform and Fee Increases

Currently, the main immigration procedure fees in Japan are as follows:

Current Immigration Procedure Fees

Renewal of residence status	6,000 yen (5,500 yen for online applications)
Change of residence status	6,000 yen (5,500 yen for online applications)
Permanent residence application	10,000 yen

Compared with many other countries, Japan’s immigration procedure fees have historically been relatively low.

However, under the 2026 policy review, these fees may be increased several times over.

The following amounts are among those currently being considered within the government.

Proposed Immigration Procedure Fees (Under Consideration for 2026 and Beyond)

Renewal of residence status	Approximately 30,000–40,000 yen
Change of residence status	Approximately 30,000–40,000 yen
Permanent residence application	100,000-300,000 yen

That said, the exact amounts have not yet been officially determined, as they will be set later through Cabinet Orders.

According to some reports, the application fee for permanent residence could be as high as 200,000 yen, meaning it may increase to up to twenty times the current fee.

Possible Fee System Based on Length of Residence

In addition to increasing fees, the reform may introduce a system where fees vary depending on the length of the residence period granted.

At present, the renewal fee is the same regardless of whether the residence period is three months, one year, or five years. Under the proposed system, however, fees could be structured in tiers according to the length of stay.

For example, media reports have suggested a possible structure such as:

Illustrative Fee Structure Under Consideration

• 1-year residence period → approximately 20,000–30,000 yen

• 5-year residence period → approximately 70,000 yen

In other words, the longer the residence period granted, the higher the associated fee may be.

The rationale behind this approach is that longer residence permissions are typically granted to individuals with stable employment and living situations in Japan, and therefore involve greater administrative review and management costs.

As a result, the cost of renewing or obtaining residence status in the future may depend on the length of the residence period granted.

Fee Reduction or Exemption System Under Consideration

Because the proposed increases could place a financial burden on foreign residents, the government is also considering introducing a fee reduction or exemption system.

Such a system would allow immigration fees to be reduced or waived under certain circumstances.

Possible cases that may qualify include:

• Foreign nationals facing financial hardship

• Individuals applying for refugee status or in similar situations

• Cases requiring humanitarian consideration

In these situations, applicants may be allowed to pay reduced fees or no fee at all. However, the specific eligibility criteria and application procedures for fee reductions or exemptions have not yet been finalised and will be determined in future policy design.

What Foreign Residents Should Consider in Response to the Fee Increases

With immigration procedure fees expected to rise, foreign residents in Japan may wish to consider preparing in advance.

Planning ahead could help reduce financial and administrative burdens once the new system is implemented.

Consider Preparing Early for Permanent Residence Applications

The fee for permanent residence applications may increase from the current 10,000 yen to a significantly higher amount under the proposed system.

Permanent residence offers major advantages, including the removal of residence period limits and the elimination of future visa renewals.

For foreign residents planning to remain in Japan long-term, obtaining permanent residence can provide greater stability.

If you already meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residence — such as sufficient residence history, stable income, and proper tax payments — it may be worth considering preparing an application before the new fee structure takes effect.

Since permanent residence applications require extensive documentation, early preparation is recommended.

Consider Using the Highly Skilled Professional Points System

Another option worth considering is the Highly Skilled Professional Points System.

This system evaluates applicants based on criteria such as education, income, and professional experience. Applicants who reach a certain number of points can receive immigration benefits.

For example, highly skilled professionals may receive:

• A five-year residence period from the outset

• Accelerated eligibility for permanent residence

• Greater flexibility for family members’ residence and employment

In particular, while permanent residence normally requires 10 years of residence in Japan, highly skilled professionals may become eligible after only one to three years, depending on their points score.

Aim for Longer Residence Periods Where Possible

If the new fee system based on residence periods is introduced, obtaining longer residence periods may become advantageous.

Although longer residence periods may involve higher single application fees, they could reduce the number of renewals required over time.

For example, repeatedly renewing a one-year visa involves more procedures and fees than obtaining a five-year residence period.

Therefore, if your employment and financial situation are stable, it may be beneficial to structure your application so that you are more likely to receive a longer residence period.

Plan Immigration Procedures in Advance

As immigration fees may increase, careful planning of immigration procedures will become increasingly important.

Foreign residents should consider:

• Checking visa expiry dates well in advance

• Understanding the timing for renewals or status changes

• Ensuring taxes and social insurance are properly paid

• Preparing required documents early

These steps can help avoid last-minute complications and minimise the impact of the new fee system.

Immigration / Administrative Lawyer Support (English Available)

Immigration procedures such as visa renewals, status changes, and permanent residence applications can become more complex when legal reforms occur.

In particular, when fee systems change significantly, the timing and strategy of applications may affect both costs and administrative burden.

If you are concerned about your visa renewal, change of residence status, or permanent residence application in Japan, it may be helpful to consult a professional before the new fee system takes effect.

As an Immigration / Administrative Lawyer, I assist foreign residents with immigration procedures such as:

• Visa renewal

• Permanent residence applications

• Naturalisation applications

• Highly Skilled Professional visa applications

• Immigration consultations related to the 2026 immigration law reform

Our office provides full English support.

From the initial consultation to document preparation and application procedures, all communication can be handled in English. If you are not comfortable using Japanese, you can still receive complete support.

We provide support for clients throughout Japan, and online consultations are also available.

If you are considering a visa renewal or permanent residence application — especially before the expected fee increases — please feel free to contact us for a free English consultation.

We look forward to serving you!