On June 24, 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) presented its proposed post-increase fee amounts for residence procedures to a joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Justice Division and other bodies. Under the proposal, the fee for changing or renewing a status of residence would rise from the current flat ¥6,000 to between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000 depending on the period of stay, and permanent residence permission would rise from the current ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. In short, the ISA plans to finalize the specific amounts after a public-comment procedure and to implement the increase as early as October 2026. The proposal also provides that online applications receive a discount of up to ¥10,000 (except for stays of “3 months or less”). As an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) office, we summarize the latest proposal and what foreign residents and employers can do now.
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The Immigration Agency’s proposed amounts (June 24, 2026): a tiered structure
The increase was included in the revised Immigration Control Act enacted on May 29, 2026. The law sets only the statutory upper limits; the actual amounts are fixed by cabinet order (the ISA presents the proposed figures). The amounts presented on June 24 would replace the current flat ¥6,000 with a tiered structure in which a longer granted period of stay carries a higher fee.
| Type of application (period of stay) | Current | ISA proposal (June 24, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Change / extension of status (3 months or less) | ¥6,000 (flat) | ¥10,000 |
| Change / extension of status (1 year) | ¥6,000 (flat) | ¥33,000 |
| Change / extension of status (3 to under 5 years) | ¥6,000 (flat) | ¥64,000 |
| Change / extension of status (5 years or more) | ¥6,000 (flat) | ¥75,000 |
| Permanent residence permission | ¥10,000 | ¥200,000 (counter only) |
The statutory caps set by the revised Act are ¥100,000 for a change/extension and ¥300,000 for permanent residence; the proposed amounts fall within these caps. Note that these figures are the ISA’s “proposal,” to be formally fixed by cabinet order after a public-comment procedure. Fees will continue to be paid by revenue stamp; cash is not accepted. Some procedures remain free, such as the Certificate of Eligibility application (¥0).
Online applications are up to ¥10,000 cheaper—but permanent residence is counter-only
Under the proposal, online (electronic) applications receive a discount of up to ¥10,000, except for stays of “3 months or less.” With fees rising sharply, filing online can be a strong way to reduce the burden. However, permanent residence applications remain counter-only and are not eligible for the online discount.
For reference, even under the current system (revised April 1, 2025), a change or extension is cheaper when filed online (¥6,000 at the counter vs. ¥5,500 online). Permanent residence, however, cannot be filed online even now and costs ¥10,000 at the counter only. The government has also signaled a policy of making online filing the norm and introducing cashless payment.
When will it start? As early as October 2026
The ISA plans to conduct a public-comment procedure shortly to finalize the specific amounts, and to implement the increase as early as October 2026. Under the revised Act, the effective date of the fee provisions is to be set by cabinet order no later than March 31, 2027 (Reiwa 9); the October target falls within that window. The final effective date will be confirmed when the cabinet order is promulgated.
As for transitional measures, based on the precedent of the most recent revision on April 1, 2025, applications accepted before the effective date are likely to be charged the pre-revision (current) fee, even if permission is granted afterward. In other words, filing before the change takes effect may help keep costs down. In addition, the government is expected to provide for reduced or waived fees for applicants in financial hardship, to be set by cabinet order.
Why the increase? Background
The number of foreign nationals in Japan now exceeds four million, continually setting records. The government intends to use the fee revenue to fund the digitalization of residency management and to build an inclusive society, including enhanced Japanese-language education. As the fee caps had long been left unchanged, this is a major revision. At the same time, concerns have been raised about the increased burden on foreign workers in relatively low-wage industries and on their employers, and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations has issued a statement calling for careful deliberation.
What foreign residents and employers can do now
Because fees may change substantially as early as October, schedule-conscious preparation is important. As an administrative scrivener office, we recommend the following.
- Consider bringing forward renewal, change, and permanent residence applications. Permanent residence in particular jumps from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, so if you already meet the requirements, it is worth preparing to apply before the change takes effect.
- Use online applications. Except for stays of “3 months or less,” online filing is up to ¥10,000 cheaper. Prepare for electronic filing early (note that permanent residence is counter-only).
- Manage residence expiry dates and application schedules in one place. Employers should identify each employee’s residence expiry and planned timing early, anticipating likely last-minute congestion.
- Keep checking the latest information. The specific amounts and effective date will be fixed by cabinet order after the public-comment procedure. Check official announcements frequently.
How our office can help
Administrative Scrivener Corporation Tree (Gyoseishoshi Hojin Tree) prepares application documents and acts as a filing agent for Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, extension of stay, and permanent residence applications, within the scope of an administrative scrivener’s practice. We support both foreign nationals and employers—from advice on application timing in light of this reform and the use of online filing, to managing residence expiry dates and organizing documents. Our fees start from ¥89,800 (tax included) for the standard plan for a Certificate of Eligibility or change-of-status application, and from ¥30,000 (tax included) for the standard plan for an extension of stay, with discounts for ongoing corporate clients (the revenue-stamp fee and other actual costs are separate). We also offer a free re-application guarantee should an application be denied. If you have any concerns about visas or status of residence, please see our work visa and status-of-residence support page. Consultations are always free, as many times as you need.
Summary
On June 24, 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency proposed raising the fee for a change or extension of status to between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000 depending on the period of stay (¥10,000 for 3 months or less, ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 to under 5 years, ¥75,000 for 5 years or more), and permanent residence to ¥200,000. Online filing is up to ¥10,000 cheaper except for “3 months or less,” though permanent residence is counter-only. The ISA will finalize the amounts after public comment and plans to implement the increase as early as October 2026. Because the burden rises sharply, consider the timing of renewal and permanent residence applications early.
Frequently asked questions about the residence fee increase
Q: When will the fee increase start?
A: The ISA plans to finalize the amounts after a public-comment procedure and to implement the increase as early as October 2026. Under the revised Act, the effective date is to be set by cabinet order no later than March 31, 2027, and the final date will be confirmed when the cabinet order is promulgated.
Q: How much will an extension cost?
A: Under the June 24, 2026 ISA proposal, the fee is tiered by period of stay: ¥10,000 for 3 months or less, ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 to under 5 years, and ¥75,000 for 5 years or more (the current fee is a flat ¥6,000). The statutory cap is ¥100,000. The amounts will be finalized by cabinet order after public comment.
Q: Are online applications cheaper?
A: Yes. Under the proposal, online (electronic) applications receive a discount of up to ¥10,000, except for stays of “3 months or less.” However, permanent residence applications are counter-only and not eligible for the online discount.
Q: What will the permanent residence fee be?
A: The ISA proposal raises it from the current ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 (counter only). The statutory cap is ¥300,000. Because this is a major increase, those who meet the requirements may wish to consider applying before the change takes effect.
Q: If I apply before the effective date, will I pay the current lower fee?
A: Under the precedent of the April 2025 revision, applications accepted before the effective date were charged the pre-revision fee even if permission came afterward. A similar transitional measure is likely, but it must be confirmed by the cabinet order. Applying early reduces your risk.
* This article was prepared with care based on news reports and publicly available information as of the time of writing (June 2026). It does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of its contents, and our office assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. The amounts in this article are the Immigration Services Agency’s “proposal” presented on June 24, 2026, and will be formally fixed by cabinet order after a public-comment procedure; the effective date and amounts are subject to change. For specific procedures, please always confirm with an administrative scrivener or official sources such as the Immigration Services Agency before making decisions.
