Japan to sharply raise foreign resident renewal fees to 100,000 yen

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[Financial News, Tokyo = Reporter Seo Hye-jin] The Japanese government will sharply raise fees for renewing residence status as it responds to the growing number of foreign residents. The fee cap will rise from the current 10,000 yen, or about 94,000 won, to as much as 100,000 yen, or about 940,000 won. Permanent residency permit fees will also be raised to as much as 300,000 yen, and the country’s immigration control system will be overhauled with the introduction of a pre-screening system for short-term visitors.
\r\nAccording to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, or The Nikkei, on the 29th, the House of Councillors passed and enacted a revision to the Immigration Control Act at a plenary session that day. The revision includes a major increase in the upper limit for fees charged for changing or renewing residence status for foreign residents.
The current cap of 10,000 yen will be raised to 100,000 yen for standard residence statuses. Permanent residency permit fees will also be adjusted sharply upward to around 300,000 yen. The actual amounts will be set by government ordinance, and the system is expected to place a heavier burden on longer stays.
The number of foreign residents in Japan has already surpassed 4 million. The Japanese government said the measure is intended to secure funding for coexistence policies, including digitalization of residence management and Japanese-language education.
Specifically, the government is considering a phased increase, with fees set at about 10,000 yen for a three-month stay and about 70,000 yen for a five-year stay. The current fee of around 6,000 yen for in-person applications is also under review.
For permanent residency permits, the fee is expected to rise to around 200,000 yen. However, the revision also includes provisions for reductions or exemptions in cases of financial hardship.
In addition, the Japanese government is pushing ahead with a plan to introduce JESTA, an online pre-screening system for short-term visitors from visa-exempt countries and regions, with a target launch in fiscal 2028.
The system will assess entry eligibility based on information submitted in advance, such as travel purpose and occupation. If approval is not granted, airlines and other carriers will be required to restrict boarding. The measure is designed to prevent illegal overstays and improve the efficiency of immigration screening.
With this revision, Japan’s immigration policy is expected to shift toward a model that combines higher cost burdens with digitalized screening.
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sjmary@fnnews.com Seo Hye-jin Reporter