Japan Residence Fee Hike: Draft Regulations Published, Public Comment Open — October 2026 Fee Schedule and Who Should Apply Before September 30

On July 3, 2026, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) officially published draft cabinet order regulations for its planned residence fee hike and simultaneously opened a public comment period (July 3 – August 2, 2026, via e-Gov). The ISA has indicated that the new fees will apply to applications received on or after October 1, 2026. The fee increase we covered in an earlier article has now formally entered the rulemaking process.

Proposed Fee Schedule (Draft)

The draft regulations introduce a tiered structure based on the length of the period of residence granted.

Fee Reduction Provisions

The draft also includes a limited reduction provision. Applicants who simultaneously qualify as (1) persons in a degree of hardship comparable to those eligible for public assistance under the Public Assistance Act AND (2) persons requiring humanitarian consideration may have their fees reduced to ¥10,000 for extension/change and ¥20,000 for permanent residence. Meeting only one of the two criteria is not sufficient for the reduction.

What "October 1 Implementation" Means — The September 30 Deadline

The new fees are expected to apply based on the date an application is received at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau (or by post), not the date it is submitted. This means that applications for which processing is accepted by September 30, 2026, may still qualify for the current fees (¥6,000 for extension/change; ¥10,000 for permanent residence).

The precise transitional rules will be confirmed once the cabinet order is finalized, so watch for official announcements. The September 30 deadline should be treated as a planning horizon, not a guaranteed cutoff.

Who Should Rush to Apply Before September 30?

• Permanent residence applicants: The difference is up to ¥190,000. If your documents are in order, filing before September 30 is strongly recommended.
• Applicants aiming for a 5-year period: Potential savings of approximately ¥69,000 (¥75,000 vs. ¥6,000).
• Applicants aiming for a 3-year period: Potential savings of approximately ¥58,000 (¥64,000 vs. ¥6,000).
• 1-year renewal applicants: Potential savings of approximately ¥27,000. Worth considering depending on your situation.
• 3-month renewal applicants: Savings of only about ¥4,000. Less urgency to rush.

How to Submit a Public Comment

Anyone can submit comments on the draft regulations through e-Gov's public comment system by August 2, 2026. Foreign nationals and employers concerned about the cost burden have an opportunity to make their voices heard in the policymaking process.

For Employers — Review Your Budget and HR Processes

• If your company covers employees' residence application fees, update your annual budget to reflect the upcoming increases.
• Companies supporting employees' permanent residence applications should proactively discuss cost-sharing arrangements with employees now.
• Conduct a full review of all foreign employees' residence card expiry dates to map out who will be renewing before and after October 1.

Summary

Japan's residence fee hike has moved from concept to formal rulemaking with the publication of draft regulations on July 3, 2026. October 1 is the likely effective date, making September 30 a critical planning deadline. At Sakura Chuo Legal Office, we handle residence extension, change of status, and permanent residence applications and can help you plan your filing timeline to minimize costs. Contact us for a free initial consultation.