Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced that fees for certain residence-related procedures will be significantly revised from October 1, 2026.
The revision applies to fees for permission to change status of residence, permission to extend the period of stay, and permission for permanent residence. Under the new system, fees for changes and extensions of status of residence will vary depending on the period of stay granted.
New Fee Structure
Under the revised system, the fees for permission to change status of residence and permission to extend the period of stay will be as follows:
| Period of Stay Granted | Application at Immigration Office | Online Application |
| 3 months or less | ¥ 10,000 | ¥ 10,000 |
| More than 3 months to 6 months | ¥ 18,000 | ¥ 15,000 |
| More than 6 months to less than 1 year | ¥ 25,000 | ¥ 21,000 |
| 1 year | ¥ 33,000 | ¥ 27,000 |
| More than 1 year to less than 3 years | ¥ 48,000 | ¥ 42,000 |
| 3 years to less than 5 years | ¥ 64,000 | ¥ 56,000 |
| 5 or more years | ¥ 75,000 | ¥ 65,000 |
The current fees for applications to change status of residence or extend the period of stay are ¥6,000 for applications submitted at an Immigration Office and ¥5,500 for online applications. Therefore, the revised fees represent a substantial increase, particularly for applicants granted longer periods of stay.
For permanent residence, the fee will increase from the current ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
Important: The Fee is based on the period actually granted.
For changes and extensions of status of residence, the applicable fee will be determined based on the period of stay actually granted, rather than simply the period requested by the applicant.
For example, if an applicant requests a five-year period but is granted a one-year period, the applicable fee will be the fee for a one-year period.
This means that applicants and employers should take the possible fee into account when planning immigration-related procedures.
Applications Submitted Before October 1, 2026
An important transitional rule applies:
If an application for a change of status of residence, extension of the period of stay, or permanent residence is submitted on or before September 30, 2026, the old fee will apply, even if the permission is granted on or after October 1, 2026.
In other words, the key date is the application date, not the date on which the permission is granted.
Fee Reductions and Exemptions
The revised system also provides for reductions or exemptions in certain cases involving economic hardship or special circumstances.
The ISA explains that certain individuals who meet the prescribed requirements may qualify for a reduction, while certain diplomatic or official-status cases may qualify for an exemption.
What This Means for Foreign Residents and Employers
The new fee structure represents a major increase in the cost of residence-related procedures in Japan.
In particular, employers supporting foreign employees should review their immigration-related budgets, especially where multiple employees or family members are expected to apply for extensions or changes of status.
Foreign residents should also check their individual application timing and the period of stay that may be granted before submitting an application.
The revised fees are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026. Applicants should check the latest information published by the Immigration Services Agency before filing, as the official guidance should be followed for the applicable fee and payment procedure.
Source: Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA)
This alert is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact Newland Chase directly for case-specific guidance.
