Japan's revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act passed the Upper House on May 29, 2026 and was promulgated June 5, 2026. It significantly raises the statutory upper limits for residence status change, renewal, and permanent residence fees, expected to take effect October 1, 2026.
Currently, residence status change and renewal fees are a flat ¥4,000, and permanent residence costs ¥8,000. Under the new system, fees will be tiered by length of stay, rising sharply — especially for longer 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:
| 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×) |
Actual fees will be set by cabinet ordinance. Based on government reports (Nikkei Shimbun and others), the expected fee schedule:
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× |
These figures are based on media reports. The official fees will be set by a revision to the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order (施行令). Always verify with the Immigration Services Agency's website before applying.
Implementation Timeline — October 1, 2026
The law takes effect "on a date specified by cabinet ordinance within three months of promulgation," making September 5, 2026 the latest possible date. The government, however, intends to implement on October 1, 2026.
Applications received before the implementation date are subject to current fees, based on the acceptance date (受理日) at the ISA counter or online portal.
Impact on Employers of Foreign Nationals
① Clarify your fee-reimbursement policy
Many companies routinely pay the ¥4,000 renewal fee for employees. Once a 5-year renewal jumps to about ¥70,000, this becomes a significant budget item. Codify your reimbursement policy in employment contracts or work rules before October.
② Consider early renewal for eligible employees
Renewals can be filed up to 3 months before permit expiry. Employees whose permits expire between October 2026 and January 2027 may be able to file before October 1 at current fees — identify them now.
③ Permanent residence — act urgently
The permanent residence fee jump (¥8,000 → ~¥200,000) is the most dramatic change. Employees already meeting requirements (generally 10+ years of lawful residence, stable income, good conduct) should seriously consider a pre-October application. A rushed filing that doesn't meet requirements, however, risks delay or denial — consult a specialist first.
A foreign engineer whose Humanities/International Services (技人国) permit expires in late 2026 or early 2027, with the employer covering renewal fees, will now face roughly ¥70,000 per renewal. For a company with 20 such employees renewing the same year, that's up to ¥1.4 million — a budget item requiring advance planning.
Why Is Japan Raising These Fees?
The government cites two justifications: rising administrative workload from a record number of foreign residents (over 3.5 million as of 2025), and alignment with fee levels in other major economies. A U.S. green card application, for context, can cost over ¥110,000 in filing fees; Japan's current ¥8,000 permanent residence fee is far below that even after the planned 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), part of a broad upward revision of Japan's immigration-related costs.
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, 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 — roughly 3.5 million people. Employers with many long-term permit holders (3- or 5-year) or employees eligible for permanent residence face the largest exposure. Build these costs into annual HR budgets as early as possible.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
Filing early to beat the increase is sensible only if the timing is right. Renewals are generally accepted from 3 months before expiry; filing too early can shorten the new permit period. Permanent residence applications need careful preparation — a hurried filing that doesn't satisfy all criteria (residence years, income stability, conduct) can significantly prolong the process.
✅ Action Steps
Audit your foreign employees' permit expiry dates today. Identify anyone expiring between October 2026 and January 2027 who may be able to file before the fee increase, and anyone with 10+ years of residency who may qualify for permanent residence. For a consultation, book a free appointment; for technical intern training and 育成就労 supervision, see Sakura Training Organization.