The Workers Rights 
The Japan visa fee hike in 2026 has been officially confirmed by the Japanese government with a cabinet decision on August 25 and will come into effect on October 1st, 2026. The big number that is leaving the foreign worker community in disbelief: The permanent residency application will now cost ¥200,000, against the previous price of just ¥10,000 today – a 20-fold increase. The rates of renewal fees are also increasing rapidly, from ¥6000 to a tiered system up to ¥75,000. For those of you who live and work in Japan, here are some tips for before October arrives.
Quick Facts: Japan Visa Fee Hike at a Glance
| What | Details |
| Effective date | October 1, 2026 |
| Who confirmed it? | Japanese government by cabinet decision (25th Aug 2026) |
| Old permanent residency fee (Permanent) | ¥10,000 |
| There is a Permanent residency fee (new) for new permanent residents. | ¥200,000 (20x increase) |
| A fee for making a new or old renewal. | ¥6,000 flat |
| An additional fee to renew or change a status (new) | ¥10,000–¥75,000 (tiered by stay length) |
| The fees for entry visas (also changed) | Single-entry: ¥3,000 → ¥15,000 (from July 1, 2026) |
| This is a multiple-entry visa (which was already changed). | ¥6,000 → ¥30,000 (from July 1, 2026) |
| Fee reduction eligibility | Narrow — means that the financial hardship is very low. |
| Public comments accepted? | Yes — (no changes were made in the proposed amounts) |
| The statutory cap on the fees for PRs. | ¥300,000 (¥200,000 is below the legal maximum) |
The Full Fee Breakdown: What’s Changing from October 1
Residence Status Renewal and Change of Status
The most significant change for the everyday foreign nationals working in Japan is the change from a flat fee to a status-based fee for visa renewals and changes.
| Stay Length Granted | Current Fee | New fee (from October 1) |
| 3 months or less | ¥6,000 | ¥10,000 |
| 1 year | ¥6,000 | ¥33,000 |
| 3 years | ¥6,000 | ~¥50,000–¥60,000 |
| 5 years | ¥6,000 | ¥75,000 |
| Online application discount | ¥5,500 | Slight discount available |
The Japan visa renewal fee is ¥6,000 – ¥75,000 (12.5x) for a worker renewing a 5-year visa.
Permanent Residency Applications
This is where the highest hike in the Japan PR fee is the most remarkable. The application fee for permanent residency is increased from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, a 20-fold increase that makes Japan one of the most expensive countries to obtain permanent residency. In comparison, the ceiling for the revised immigration law is ¥300,000, leaving room for the Government to further increase the amount in future ordinances.
Entry Visas (Already in Effect from July 1st, 2026)
The increase in Japan’s immigration fee was actually implemented prior to October. On July 1st, entry visa fees were increased:
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee |
| Single-entry | ¥3,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Multiple-entry | ¥6,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Transit | ¥700 | ¥3,500 |
The fee increases for entry visas were the first since 1978.
Why Is Japan Raising Fees Now?
The Japan immigration changes in 2026 revolve around two factors: cost recovery and international alignment.
The number of Japanese foreigners reached nearly 4,000,000 in 2025. The revised immigration law now mandates that foreign residents pay for foreign residents’ benefits, such as the Japanese language programs and the processing system. There was also mention of higher tariffs in the US and UK as a reference, and Japan’s being capped at ¥10,000 for decades.
The government confirmed the amounts without any changes because the public comment period was the subject of criticism, including arguments that the hikes “go against the realisation of a society where foreigners and Japanese can coexist.
The Deadline That Could Save You Thousands
There’s one important exception in the Japan visa rules 2026 changes: if the visa application is made before 30 September 2026, then the previous (lower) fee rate will be applied, even if the actual approval or delivery of the card takes place later.
If you are applying for permanent residency, changing your status or renewing your long-stay extension, it means that you will be locked in with the old fee if you submit your application before October 1. For a PR applicant, it makes the difference between paying ¥10,000 and ¥200,000.
The hard deadline is September 30 if you’re ready and able.
Who Can Get a Fee Reduction?
The new changes to the Japan visa price don’t include a fee reduction pathway – and that’s on purpose.
A reduction will be granted if the applicant fulfils both of the following requirements:
- Be in a financial situation similar to that of the person who would qualify for the financial assistance provided by the Public Assistance Act in Japan (which is essentially near-poverty thresholds).
- Require humanitarian consideration
Within this approach, some 90% of applicants for refugee status would not qualify for any abatement. One change was made in response to public comment – those single parents who are raising children of Japanese citizens or special permanent residents will now be covered by the reduction-eligible group, if they wish to change their residence status to “designated activities”.
The majority of foreign workers, students or long-term residents are exempt from any reduction.
Japan’s Place in the Global Visa Fee Landscape
What are the international comparisons of Japan’s new residence visa fee structure?
| Country | Personal Statement/Resume (approx.) |
| Japan (new, Oct 2026) | ¥200,000 (~USD 1,350) |
| Japan (current) | ¥10,000 (~USD 67) |
| United States | ~USD 1,440 (Form I-485) |
| United Kingdom | ~GBP 2,885 (~USD 3,600) |
| Canada | ~CAD 1,685 (~USD 1,250) |
| Germany | ~EUR 100–140 (~USD 110–155) |
Japan at ¥200,000, which is quite similar to Canada and the US, is not the most expensive of developed countries, but it is quite a bit more expensive than Germany.
What This Means for Foreign Workers in Japan
The Japan visa fee increases in 2026 are more than just a formality; they’re a financial challenge for the approximately 4 million foreign nationals residing in Japan.
- PR applicants face the sharpest hit: ¥10,000 → ¥200,000.
- Workers on 1-year or 5-year renewals: Those who entered the programme for a year or five years will continue to be paid ¥33,000 or ¥75,000 per cycle from now.
- Employers who offer relocation packages to foreign workers may have to rethink their packages.
- New entries have already seen the July 2026 entry fee changes, where it now costs ¥15,000 for a single entry.
The immigration reform in Japan in 2026 places the burden of immigration squarely on the applicants. The most practical thing is to understand the new structure and act, if possible, before October 1st.
FAQs: Japan Visa Fee Hike 2026
When will new Japan visa fees start to apply?
The fees for residence will begin on October 1, 2026, with the following increases: The entry visa fees (single-entry and multiple-entry) have already increased as of July 1, 2026.
Has the remaining fee deadline been rescinded, and can I still apply using the old fee before October 1?
Yes. If an application is filed with the Immigration Services Agency before September 30, 2026 and is approved and/or a card is issued before that date, the current fee rate would apply.
How much fees are required for permanent residency in Japan now?
The proposed Japan permanent residency fee is ¥200,000, which is raised from the current fee of ¥10,000, effective October 1, 2026. That’s twice last year’s figure. They had to cut the limit to ¥300,000 under the new law.
Does the Japan visa renewal fee apply to all foreign residents?
Yes, the new tiered Japan visa renewal fee does apply to all foreigners renewing or changing their residence status – depending on the period of stay granted, the fee will range from ¥10,000 for 3 months or less up to ¥75,000 for 5-year visas.
Can you get an exemption or a discount?
To qualify for a fee reduction, must show serious financial hardship (close to public assistance) and humanitarian grounds. In fact, only close to 90% of the refugees’ applications are accepted. Eligibility was expanded by the addition of single-parent caregivers of Japanese citizens’ children who were changing towards “designated activities” status based on public consultation.
Are there any increases in the Japan work visa fee as well?
Yes — tiered as above, from ¥6,000 flat to between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000, depending on the length of allowed stay.
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