Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fee 20x for Foreigners
Japan has increased the fee for applying for permanent residency by 20 times, making the process significantly more expensive for foreigners who want to live in the country permanently. The change took effect on October 1, 2026, as part of a broader overhaul of Japan’s immigration rules.
The fee, which was previously 10,000 yen, has now increased to 200,000 yen, or around $1,270 USD. In certain cases, however, the fee may be reduced to 20,000 yen.
Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fee to 200,000 Yen
The new fee applies to applications received from October 1 onward. Anyone who submitted their application by September 30 remains subject to the previous fee, even if their application is approved after the new rules take effect.
The difference is huge:
- Before: 10,000 yen;
- Now: 200,000 yen;
- Increase: 20 times;
- Possible reduced fee: 20,000 yen for applicants who meet specific requirements.
The Japanese government says the increase is related to the costs involved in immigration administration, including processing applications, properly managing foreign residents, and investing in improvements to its immigration services.
And the fee wasn’t the only thing that changed.
What Are Japan’s New Permanent Residency Rules?
The reform has also made the evaluation process stricter for people seeking permanent residency.
The updated guidelines now provide clearer criteria covering areas such as:
- Income and financial stability;
- Proper payment of taxes and pension contributions;
- Compliance with legal obligations;
- Residence history in Japan;
- Japanese-language ability;
- Understanding of Japanese rules and social systems.
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has also explicitly included Japanese-language ability and an understanding of the country’s rules and systems among the factors considered during the evaluation.
In other words, simply living in Japan for several years does not automatically mean that a foreigner will qualify for permanent residency. Immigration authorities also consider whether applicants can support themselves and have properly fulfilled their responsibilities while living in the country.
So Why Is Japan Doing This?
The changes come as the number of foreign residents in Japan continues to grow.
Japan is facing a curious situation: while its population continues to age and decline, the country is increasingly relying on foreign workers to fill positions across different industries.
This creates a delicate balance. Japan needs foreign labor, but it also wants to establish stricter criteria for people who intend to remain in the country permanently.
According to the data presented in the original report, Japan’s foreign-resident population surpassed 4.12 million at the end of 2025, representing a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
Foreign Residents Rushed to Submit Applications Before the Change
The upcoming change also triggered a rush at immigration offices.
Foreign residents who were already planning to apply for permanent residency tried to submit their paperwork before October 1, when the new fee came into effect.
According to reports from the British media, immigration offices saw huge lines, with Tokyo’s main immigration bureau reportedly recording waiting times of more than seven hours.
The reason is easy to understand: for someone who was already prepared to apply for permanent residency, submitting the paperwork before the deadline could mean saving 190,000 yen.
via BBC