Japan has published a draft fee schedule that would sharply raise the cost of changing or renewing a status of residence, and of applying for permanent residence, from Oct. 1, 2026.
The change affects foreign nationals who need a Japanese residence permission rather than ordinary short-stay tourists. It is most relevant to people already in Japan, or planning a longer stay, under statuses such as work, study, family, working holiday, designated activities or other medium- to long-term residence categories.
The Immigration Services Agency says the new amounts are part of draft ordinance changes now open for public comment. The comment period runs until Aug. 2, 2026, and the scheduled start date is Oct. 1, 2026.
What would change
At present, the fee for permission to change status of residence or extend a period of stay is generally ¥6,000 for an in-person application, or ¥5,500 online. Under the draft schedule, the fee would depend on the length of residence granted and whether the application is made at a counter or online.
- Three months or less: ¥10,000, both counter and online applications.
- More than three months and up to six months: ¥18,000 at a counter, ¥15,000 online.
- More than six months and less than one year: ¥25,000 at a counter, ¥21,000 online.
- One year: ¥33,000 at a counter, ¥27,000 online.
- More than one year and less than three years: ¥48,000 at a counter, ¥42,000 online.
- Three years or more and less than five years: ¥64,000 at a counter, ¥56,000 online.
- Five years or more: ¥75,000 at a counter, ¥65,000 online.
The proposed permanent residence fee would rise to ¥200,000. The current permanent residence permission fee is ¥10,000.
The official table gives lower prices for online applications in most change-of-status and extension categories. Japan already allows online filing for several residence procedures, including applications for change of status of residence and extension of period of stay.
Timing for applications around Oct. 1
The Immigration Services Agency states in its Q&A that if a foreign national applies before Oct. 1, 2026 and receives permission on or after that date, the pre-revision fee will apply. That makes the filing date important for residents whose renewal, change of status or permanent residence timing falls close to the October start date.
Renewal applications are generally accepted before the current period of stay expires, and for people with a granted period of six months or longer, normally from about three months before expiry. Applicants should still check the rules for their specific status and local immigration office, especially if trying to file before the new fees take effect.
Possible reductions and exemptions
The draft also includes a limited reduction and exemption framework. Reductions would be aimed at people in financial hardship who also fall into humanitarian categories, such as certain refugees, complementary protection holders, trafficking victims and other listed cases. If approved, eligible change-of-status or extension applicants granted more than three months could have the fee reduced to ¥10,000, while eligible permanent residence applicants could have it reduced to ¥20,000.
The reduction rules are narrow. The agency says both financial hardship and humanitarian grounds must generally be met, and permanent residence reductions would be assessed only in limited cases.
Exemptions are proposed for some diplomatic and official residence-status cases.
Planning points for longer stays
The new schedule would add a meaningful cost to Japan stay planning for students, workers, entrepreneurs, family residents and others who expect to renew or change residence status after arrival. It also creates a clear price difference between counter and online applications, with online filings up to ¥10,000 cheaper for longer permits.
Visitors entering Japan for short-term tourism should not confuse this with tourist visa issuance fees or the departure tax. This proposal concerns residence permissions handled by the Immigration Services Agency after a person has or seeks a status of residence in Japan.
The fee schedule remains in draft form during the public comment process, but the official page lists Oct. 1, 2026 as the planned enforcement date. Anyone with a renewal, change of status or permanent residence application due in the second half of 2026 should confirm the latest Immigration Services Agency guidance before filing.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The Immigration Services Agency lists Oct. 1, 2026 as the scheduled start date for the revised residence-permission fee schedule.
The proposal affects foreign nationals applying to change status of residence, extend a period of stay, or receive permanent residence permission in Japan. It does not apply to ordinary visa-free short-stay tourists as a tourist entry fee.
Yes. Under the draft schedule, online applications for most change-of-status and extension categories would be ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 cheaper than counter applications. The lowest category, three months or less, is listed as ¥10,000 for both methods.
The official Q&A says applications filed before Oct. 1, 2026 will use the pre-revision fee even if permission is granted on or after Oct. 1.
