在留資格の手数料、早ければ10月から大幅値上げへ
Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) presented a concrete fee proposal to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Legal Affairs committee on June 24, 2026. The current flat fee of ¥6,000 for changing or renewing residence status would rise to between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000 depending on the length of the granted period. The fee for permanent residence permits would jump from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. The new fees could take effect as early as October 2026.
The ISA's proposal ties the fee to the length of the residence period being granted:
| Residence Period Granted | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|
| 3 months or less | ¥10,000 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | ¥18,000 |
| More than 6 months, less than 1 year | ¥25,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 |
| More than 1 year, less than 3 years | ¥48,000 |
| 3 years or more, less than 5 years | ¥64,000 |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 |
Most employment-based and spouse visas are renewed for one year, putting that fee at ¥33,000 — roughly five times the current ¥6,000. Online applications (where available) would receive a discount of up to ¥10,000, except for the three-month-or-less category.
The proposed ¥200,000 permanent residence fee represents a 20-fold increase. For those currently meeting the eligibility requirements, filing before the new fee takes effect would save approximately ¥190,000. However, rushing an application before you're ready is counterproductive — a denial means the fee is not refunded, and reapplication can be significantly delayed.
| Procedure | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Change of residence status | ¥6,000 (online: ¥5,500) |
| Renewal of residence period | ¥6,000 (online: ¥5,500) |
| Permanent residence permit | ¥10,000 |
| Re-entry permit (single) | ¥4,000 |
| Re-entry permit (multiple) | ¥7,000 |
The revision is grounded in the Revised Immigration Control Act, which passed on May 29, 2026. The law raises the legal ceiling for change/renewal fees from ¥10,000 to ¥100,000, and for permanent residence from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000. Japan's current fee structure has been in place since 1981 — 45 years without a meaningful revision. By comparison, a work visa renewal costs roughly ¥65,000–¥73,000 in the United States and approximately ¥170,000 in the United Kingdom.
Revenue from the higher fees will be used to fund Japanese language education programs and other integration measures under the government's coexistence policy.
The ISA will open a public comment period shortly, then formalize the fees by cabinet order. The target is implementation as early as October 2026; the statutory deadline is March 31, 2027. When fees were last revised in April 2025, applications received before the effective date were charged the old rate — even if the permit was issued afterward. Whether the same transitional rule applies this time has not yet been confirmed.
The revised law includes a provision for fee reductions or waivers in cases of financial hardship. However, eligibility is narrow: for permanent residence applications, the reduction applies only to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents.
Concerned about how these changes affect your application? We're happy to assess your situation.
Free Consultation 無料相談