Japan has increased the cost of applying for permanent residency by 20 times, with foreigners now required to pay 200,000 yen, about $1,270, for an application.
The sharp increase took effect as part of wider immigration policy changes that are also introducing tougher financial, pension and language conditions for foreigners seeking to settle permanently in the country.
The move has already triggered a rush among applicants trying to submit their paperwork before the higher charges came into force, with waiting times at Tokyo’s main immigration bureau reportedly exceeding seven hours. Brandspur Brand News reports that the changes come as Japan attempts to manage a record foreign resident population while continuing to depend on overseas workers to address labour shortages.
Japan’s foreign resident population exceeded 4.12 million at the end of 2025, an annual increase of 9.5 per cent. The growing number of foreign residents has, however, fuelled concerns about immigration and its impact on Japanese society.
The government under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made immigration management a key priority. The latest changes follow a five-fold increase in visa fees introduced in July, the first such increase in five decades. Authorities said that adjustment was intended to account for inflation and fluctuations in exchange rates.
The cost of other immigration applications has also risen. Before October, non-permanent residents paid 6,000 yen when applying to change their residency status or extend their stay. The fee now ranges from 10,000 yen for stays of three months or less to 75,000 yen for applications covering five years or more.
Financial hardship and refugee status can qualify applicants for discounts.
Those seeking permanent residency must now demonstrate a stable income at least equal to Japan’s average. The latest figures available put average household income at 5.75 million yen in 2024.
Further requirements are due to take effect from April 2027. Applicants will need basic Japanese-language proficiency, while their expected pension benefits must meet a threshold equivalent to that of someone enrolled in the employee pension system for 30 years. Financial assets may be taken into account where expected pension benefits fall short.
The changes are already affecting foreigners who have spent years living and working in Japan. Micaiah Stevens, a 37-year-old who has lived in Tokyo for a decade, said he still intends to seek permanent residency despite missing the deadline to submit his documents before the fee increase.
The stricter rules come at a delicate time for Japan. The country is facing an ageing population and labour shortages, making foreign workers increasingly important to its economy even as public debate over immigration becomes more sensitive.
