Japan to Significantly Increase Visa and Residency Fees for Foreign Nationals from Fiscal Year 2026

Major Fee Hikes Planned for Foreign Residents

Japan is preparing to implement significant increases in visa and residency fees for foreign nationals, with the changes slated to take effect from Fiscal Year 2026, which commences on April 1, 2026. The proposed adjustments will see fees for various immigration procedures rise substantially, in some cases by more than tenfold, as the government seeks to bring its charges in line with those of Western nations.

For foreign residents seeking to change their status of residence or renew stays of one year or longer, the fee is expected to increase from the current ¥6,000 to approximately ¥30,000 to ¥40,000. Applications for permanent residency will also see a dramatic rise, from ¥10,000 to ¥100,000 or more.

Rationale Behind the Increase

The Japanese government cites several reasons for the impending fee adjustments. A primary objective is to standardize Japan's visa and residency costs with those prevalent in Europe and the United States, where similar procedures often incur higher charges. For instance, changing or renewing a work permit in the United States can cost between $420 and $470 (approximately ¥65,000 to ¥73,000), while in Britain, it can be as high as £827 (around ¥169,000).

The additional revenue generated from these fee hikes is earmarked for various policy initiatives related to foreign residents. These include improving conditions for Japan's rapidly expanding foreign population, which reached a record high of approximately 3.96 million people as of June, and funding efforts to deport illegal residents. Furthermore, the government aims to allocate funds towards countering overtourism and addressing rising administrative and labor costs associated with processing a record influx of foreign visitors.

Legislative Changes and Historical Context

To facilitate these significant fee increases, an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law will be necessary. The current law imposes a maximum fee of ¥10,000 for such procedures. The government plans to submit a bill for this amendment during the next regular Diet session.

This upcoming revision marks a historic change, as it would be the first major legal adjustment to residence permit fees since 1981 and to general visa fees since 1978. The fee hike is part of a broader ¥21.3 trillion economic stimulus package approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has instructed officials to align Japan's visa fees with those of other major countries.

Impact on Tourists and Residents

Beyond long-term residents, inbound tourists will also face increased costs. The Foreign Ministry intends to raise fees for single-entry visas, currently priced at ¥3,000, and multiple-entry visas, currently ¥6,000, to levels comparable to Western standards. For example, short-stay visas in the U.S. cost $185 (about ¥28,000) and in the U.K. £127 (about ¥25,000). Among the groups most affected by these changes are Chinese nationals, who constitute the largest demographic of immigrants in Japan.