Increase in Application Fees Payable to Immigration for Residence Procedures (Visa Applications)

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Hello, this is Immigration Lawyer SUGITA International Office(行政書士スギタ国際事務所), an administrative scrivener office specializing in visa and residence status procedures in Japan.

As of December 2025, there have been reports that the Japanese government is considering a significant increase in the official fees required when foreign residents apply for procedures such as change of status of residence, extension of period of stay, or permanent residency. The increase is expected to take place sometime during the 2026 fiscal year.

Although immigration-related fees were already revised in April 2025, another substantial increase is reportedly under consideration for fiscal year 2026, as follows (for applications submitted in person at the counter):

• Change of Status of Residence
  JPY6,000 → JPY30,000 to JPY40,000円
• Extension of Period of Stay
  JPY6,000 → JPY30,000 to JPY40,000円
• Permanent Residency (PR) Application
  JPY10,000 → JPY100,000 or more

At this stage, the revision is still under review. However, if implemented, the fees will increase by approximately five to ten times compared to the current levels.

For reference, the April 2025 fee revision was applied to applications submitted on or after April 1, 2025. Even if the result was issued after April 2025, applications submitted before that date were still subject to the old fees. It is expected that the same rule may apply to the upcoming revision—meaning that applications submitted before the new fees take effect may still qualify for the current lower fee structure.
Therefore, if you are considering applying soon, it may be advisable to submit your application earlier rather than later.

At our office, we provide support for extension of period of stay starting from 33,000 yen, and permanent residency applications starting from 121,000 yen, both including document collection and application representation. Should you miss the timing to apply before the fee increase, please consider using our reasonably priced support services.

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Reviewer Information

SUGITA Masakazu / 杉田将一 Administrative Scrivener Specialized in Immigration and International Procedures

• Representative Administrative Scrivener, Immigration Lawyer SUGITA International Office
• Areas of Expertise:Permanent Residency, Spouse visa, Foreign marriage, Working visa, Apostille / Attestation
• Previously worked at a domestic machinery manufacturer, managing international petrochemical plant construction projects. In parallel, engaged as a freelance translator handling patent specifications and technical manuals. Later founded Immigration Lawyer SUGITA International Office. Also operates the Japan Apostille Center, which specializes in document Apostille / authentication services both in Japan and overseas.