Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fee 20-Fold as Immigration Rules Tighten
Japan has increased the fee for foreigners applying for permanent residency from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, as the country introduces tougher requirements for long-term foreign residents.
The new fee took effect on October 1, 2026, representing a 20-fold increase.
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency says the higher fees are intended to help cover the costs of strengthening and expanding immigration and residency management.
The sharp increase triggered a rush among some foreign residents to submit applications before the new charges came into effect, with long queues reported at immigration offices.
Applications accepted by September 30 remain subject to the previous 10,000-yen fee, even if approval is granted after October 1.
Tougher Requirements for Permanent Residency
The fee increase comes alongside changes to Japan’s permanent-residency guidelines.
The revised guidelines place greater emphasis on applicants demonstrating that they can support themselves financially, comply with tax and social-security obligations and meet other requirements for permanent residence.
The guidelines specifically address income and pension contributions, as well as Japanese-language ability and understanding of Japanese systems and rules.
The income-related changes began applying from October 1, while the broader revised permanent-residency guidelines are scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2027.
Applicants will also face a requirement relating to the length of their authorised period of stay, with the revised rules moving away from treating a three-year residence period as the maximum for this purpose.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese-language ability is also being incorporated into the revised permanent-residency assessment.
The Immigration Services Agency’s updated guidelines include Japanese-language ability and understanding of Japan’s systems and rules among the considerations for permanent residency.
The changes are expected to increase the importance of Japanese-language proficiency for foreigners seeking to settle permanently in the country.
Japan’s Foreign Population Hits Record
The policy changes come as Japan’s foreign-resident population continues to grow.
Official figures show that the number of foreign residents reached 4,125,395 at the end of 2025, an increase of 356,418, or 9.5%, from the previous year. It was the first time the figure exceeded four million.
Japan has increasingly relied on foreign workers as it deals with demographic pressures and labour shortages.
At the same time, the rapid increase in the foreign population has contributed to a wider national debate over immigration, integration and the country’s social systems.
Takaichi Government Focuses on Immigration
Immigration has become an important policy issue under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, whose government has been pursuing measures concerning the management of Japan’s growing foreign population.
On October 1, Takaichi received a proposal from a Liberal Democratic Party project team dealing with national security and land-related legislation concerning foreign nationals, highlighting the broader political attention being given to foreign-resident policy.
The government has said the objective is to ensure that immigration and residency are managed in an orderly manner while addressing concerns among Japanese citizens.
Other Residency Fees Also Increase
The permanent-residency fee is not the only immigration charge that has increased.
From October 1, fees for changing or extending residence status also rose, with the amount depending on the length of the residence period.
For online applications, the revised fees range from 10,000 yen for stays of three months or less to 65,000 yen for periods of five years or more, before applicable payment-processing charges.
People who qualify for fee reductions can pay less. For permanent-residency applications, the reduced fee can be 20,000 yen for eligible applicants.
A New Phase for Foreign Residents in Japan
Japan’s latest measures reflect the challenge of balancing the country’s need for foreign workers with growing demands for tighter management of immigration.
For foreigners already living and working in Japan, the changes mean that obtaining permanent residency will require greater attention to financial stability, pension and other obligations, language ability and compliance with Japanese rules.
With more than four million foreign residents now living in Japan, the country’s approach to immigration is likely to remain an important issue as policymakers seek to manage demographic and labour-market pressures.
For applicants, the immediate change is clear: the cost of permanent residency has risen from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, while additional requirements are being phased in.
The broader changes to the permanent-residency guidelines are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027.
