The Japanese government is preparing to implement drastic changes in its immigration policies with a proposal to significantly raise visa renewal fees and permanent residency permits, as part of the anticipated amendments to the Immigration Control Act for 2026. This move aims to grant authorities greater flexibility in managing administrative costs and adjusting fees to align with new economic variables in the country, presenting foreign residents with a new financial reality that requires early preparation.
These amendments are of great importance due to their direct impact on hundreds of thousands of foreign residents, skilled workers, and students who seek to settle in Japan. Official reports indicate that long-term residents will face a substantial increase in legal transaction costs. The proposed amendments focus on raising the fee ceiling to unprecedented levels compared to current prices. The key changes that immigrants should pay attention to include:
- Raising the visa renewal fee for five years to approximately 70,000 Japanese Yen (equivalent to 440 US dollars), compared to the current price of just 6,000 Yen.
- Increasing the Permanent Residency permit fee from the current 10,000 Yen to a proposed maximum of about 200,000 Japanese Yen.
- Setting the renewal fee for short-term stays (three months or less) at approximately 10,000 Japanese Yen.
- Setting a maximum fee limit for most visa categories at 100,000 Yen, with the government retaining the authority to adjust it in the future to up to 300,000 Yen in certain cases.
Concurrently with these financial increases, new and stricter conditions for obtaining Japanese citizenship came into effect on April 1, 2026, making it mandatory for foreign nationals to prove continuous residency for a minimum of 10 years instead of the previously required five years. This shift reflects Tokyo's desire to ensure deeper integration of residents before granting them citizenship, while also increasing financial resources allocated to immigration services and oversight.
Despite these sharp increases, Japanese officials have indicated the possibility of applying exemptions or reductions in fees for individuals facing proven financial difficulties, although the precise criteria for these exceptions have not yet been finalized. These policies are expected to directly affect expatriates whom Japan has recently sought to attract as part of its programs to compensate for labor shortages, posing additional challenges for those wishing to settle long-term.
These proposals represent a fundamental shift in how Japan manages its immigration file by having residents bear a larger portion of administrative costs. As the deadlines for approving these amendments approach, residents and those wishing to immigrate to Japan are advised to follow updates through the official channels of the Japanese Ministry of Justice, as the final costs and timelines for implementation will depend entirely on the legislative process in parliament in the coming months.
Source: Japan Immigration Services Agency – Proposed Amendments to the Immigration Control Act