What changes
A cabinet order decided on 25 August 2026 revised the immigration fees in the Enforcement Order of the Immigration Control Act, with effect for applications received from 1 October 2026.
Change of status and extension of stay used to cost a flat 6,000 yen at the counter, or 5,500 yen online. The fee now depends on the period granted:
- Three months or less: 10,000 yen (online the same).
- Up to six months: 18,000 yen (15,000 online).
- Under one year: 25,000 yen (21,000 online).
- One year: 33,000 yen (27,000 online).
- Over one year, under three: 48,000 yen (42,000 online).
- Three years, under five: 64,000 yen (56,000 online).
- Five years or more: 75,000 yen (65,000 online).
Permanent residence rises from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. Online fees must now be paid by convenience store or bank payment, not revenue stamps, plus a payment charge. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fee even if granted later.
Who it applies to
Every foreign resident applying from 1 October 2026, and in practice their employers: many companies pay immigration costs for staff and their families.
Action for employers
- Update your relocation and visa budget. A five-year extension for an employee, spouse and two children now costs 300,000 yen at the counter, against 24,000 yen before.
- Write a policy. Decide whether you pay for dependants and for permanent residence applications, and say so in offer letters.
- File online where you can. Registered employers can file for employees and save up to 10,000 yen per application.
- Expect permanent residence questions. Staff close to qualifying may ask whether you will cover the 200,000 yen.
Sources
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 67; Enforcement Order, Article 25(1), as amended by the cabinet order of August 2026.
- Immigration Services Agency, notice of revised fees from 1 October 2026 and guidance on online payment.
- Jiji Press, report on the cabinet decision, 25 August 2026.