Japan's revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act passed the Upper House of the Diet on May 29, 2026 and was promulgated on June 5, 2026. The amendment significantly raises the statutory upper limits for residence status change, renewal, and permanent residence application fees, with the new fees expected to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Under the current system, residence status change and renewal fees are a flat ¥4,000, and permanent residence applications cost ¥8,000. Under the new system, fees will be tiered by length of permitted stay, with costs rising dramatically — especially for longer-term residence permits and permanent residence.
The Amendment in Brief — Statutory Caps Rise Up to 30×
The amendment raises the legal upper limits for the cabinet ordinance fees as follows:
| Application Type | Current Statutory Cap | New Statutory Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Residence Status Change | ¥10,000 | ¥100,000 (10×) |
| Residence Period Renewal | ¥10,000 | ¥100,000 (10×) |
| Permanent Residence Permission | ¥10,000 | ¥300,000 (30×) |
The actual fees charged will be set by cabinet ordinance. Based on government reports (Nikkei Shimbun and others), the expected fee schedule is:
Expected New Fee Schedule
| Application / Permit Length | Current Fee | Expected New Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Status Change | ¥4,000 | ~¥30,000 | ~7.5× |
| Renewal (3-month permit) | ¥4,000 | ~¥10,000 | ~2.5× |
| Renewal (1-year permit) | ¥4,000 | ~¥30,000 | ~7.5× |
| Renewal (3-year permit) | ¥4,000 | ~¥50,000 | ~12.5× |
| Renewal (5-year permit) | ¥4,000 | ~¥70,000 | ~17.5× |
| Permanent Residence | ¥8,000 | ~¥200,000 | ~25× |
The figures above are based on media reports. The actual fees will be officially set by a revision to the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order (施行令). Always verify with the Immigration Services Agency's official website before any application.
Implementation Timeline — October 1, 2026
The amendment was enacted May 29 and promulgated June 5, 2026. The law provides that it will take effect "on a date specified by cabinet ordinance within three months of promulgation." This means the latest possible date is September 5, 2026; however, the government has indicated it intends to implement on October 1, 2026.
Applications received before the implementation date will be subject to current fees. The decisive date is the acceptance date (受理日) at the Immigration Services Agency counter or online portal.
Impact on Employers of Foreign Nationals
① Clarify your fee-reimbursement policy
Many companies currently pay the ¥4,000 renewal fee on behalf of employees as a matter of course. When 5-year renewals jump to approximately ¥70,000, this informal practice becomes a significant budget item. Review and codify your reimbursement policy in employment contracts or work rules before October.
② Consider early renewal for eligible employees
Residence period renewals can be filed up to 3 months before the permit expiry date. Employees whose permits expire between October 2026 and January 2027 may be able to file before October 1 under current fees. Identify those employees now and consult an immigration specialist.
③ Permanent residence — act urgently
The permanent residence fee increase (¥8,000 → ~¥200,000) is the most dramatic change. If any of your foreign employees already meet the requirements (generally 10+ years of lawful residence, stable income, good conduct), a pre-October application is worth serious consideration. A rushed application without meeting requirements, however, risks a longer processing time or denial — consult a specialist first.
A foreign engineer whose Humanities/International Services (技人国) permit expires in late 2026 or early 2027, and whose employer currently covers renewal fees, will now face a cost of approximately ¥70,000 per renewal. For a company with 20 such employees renewing in the same year, that is up to ¥1.4 million — a material budget item that requires advance planning.
Why Is Japan Raising These Fees?
The government cited two main justifications: (1) the sharp increase in administrative workload driven by a record number of foreign residents (over 3.5 million as of 2025), and (2) alignment with fee levels in other major economies. For context, a U.S. green card application can cost over ¥110,000 in filing fees; Japan's current ¥8,000 permanent residence fee is far below that level even after the increase to ~¥200,000.
This follows the July 2026 consular visa fee increase (single-entry ¥3,000 → ¥15,000, multiple-entry ¥6,000 → ¥30,000), marking a broad upward revision of all immigration-related costs in Japan.
Key Takeaways
- Revised law enacted May 29, 2026; October 1, 2026 implementation expected
- Statutory caps: renewal/change → ¥100,000; permanent residence → ¥300,000
- Expected actual fees: 5-year renewal ~¥70,000 (from ¥4,000); permanent residence ~¥200,000 (from ¥8,000)
- Applications received before implementation date use current fees
- Employers should: audit expiry dates, update reimbursement policies, consider early permanent residence filings
- Specific amounts will be confirmed by cabinet ordinance — monitor ISA's official announcements
For advice on residence status renewals, status change applications, or permanent residence planning, please contact Sakura Central Legal Office (Ministry of Justice Certified Immigration Gyoseishoshi).
⚖️ Expert Comment — Licensed Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener)
📋 Practical Impact
This fee revision affects virtually every foreign national working in Japan — approximately 3.5 million people. For employers, the largest exposure is in companies with a high concentration of long-term permit holders (3- or 5-year permits) and employees who are eligible for permanent residence. Building these costs into annual HR budgets as early as possible is essential.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
Filing early to beat the fee increase is sensible — but only if the timing is right. Residence renewals are generally accepted from 3 months before expiry. Filing too early can result in a shorter-than-expected new permit period. Permanent residence applications require careful preparation; a hurried filing that doesn't satisfy all criteria (residence years, income stability, conduct) can prolong the process significantly.
✅ Action Steps
Audit your foreign employees' permit expiry dates today. Identify anyone whose permit expires between October 2026 and January 2027 — they may be able to file before the fee increase. Also identify employees with 10+ years of residency who may be eligible for permanent residence. For a consultation on timing and eligibility, book a free appointment with our office. For technical intern training and育成就労 supervision, see Sakura Training Organization.