Japan raises residency fee for foreign nationals by twenty-fold
Summary
Japan has increased the fees for foreigners applying for permanent residency by 20 times, now costing 200,000 yen ($1,270). New rules also require applicants to meet higher income, pension, and Japanese language standards to manage the country's growing number of foreign residents.Key Facts
- Permanent residency fee in Japan rose from about 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen starting October 1, 2026.
- New requirements include earning at least the average Japanese household income (5.75 million yen in 2024), pension equivalent to 30 years in the employee system, and basic Japanese language ability.
- Japan's foreign resident population reached over 4.12 million by the end of 2025, an increase of 9.5% from the previous year.
- Visa fees were also increased five times in July 2026, the first change in 50 years, to reflect inflation and currency changes.
- Long wait times of over seven hours were reported at immigration offices as many rushed to apply before the fee hike.
- Some applicants with financial difficulties or refugees are eligible for discounts on fees.
- The government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi since October 2025, aims to manage immigration carefully to address public concerns.
- Language schools and Japanese proficiency test enrollments have risen due to new language requirements starting April 2027.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
