Japan Immigration Fees Increase October 1, 2026: Final Rates for Renewal, Change and PR
IMMIGRATION FEE UPDATE / 2026
Japan Immigration Fees Increase October 1, 2026: Final Rates for Renewal, Change and PR
The new fees for changes of status, extensions and permanent residence apply to applications received on or after October 1, 2026. This guide reflects the August 28 transitional rule, online payment methods, processing fees, fee reductions and scam-email safeguards.
日本語版： 入管手数料は2026年10月1日から大幅値上げ
The Immigration Services Agency has published the transitional rule, online payment methods, processing fees, fee-reduction treatment and payment-email safeguards for the October 1, 2026 fee revision.
- Applications received on or before September 30, 2026 remain subject to the old fees.
- Applications received on or after October 1, 2026 are subject to the new fees.
- Revenue stamps will no longer be used for online applications filed on or after October 1.
- Payment must be made by convenience-store payment or bank payment, with a separate processing fee.
- Fee-reduction applications cannot be filed online.
- Legitimate payment emails are sent only from
no-reply@service-dgft.com.
What was finalized on August 25, 2026
The Cabinet approved both the order setting the commencement date of the amended fee provisions and the order setting the amounts payable. The amounts published in the July 3 proposal were not changed.
The amended Act sets caps of ¥100,000 for a change or extension and ¥300,000 for permanent residence. The rates actually payable are shown below.
New fees for a change or extension
The fee is determined by the period of stay actually granted, not simply the period requested by the applicant, and by whether the application was filed at a counter or online.
| Period granted | Counter application | Online application |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
| More than 6 months, less than 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
| More than 1 year, less than 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 |
| 3 years or more, less than 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
Online payment totals include a separate processing fee
For online applications received on or after October 1, 2026, a separate processing fee is payable to the designated payment service provider. Compare the total payment, not only the government fee.
| Period granted | Government online fee | Processing fee | Total payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | JPY 10,000 | JPY 330 | JPY 10,330 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | JPY 15,000 | JPY 330 | JPY 15,330 |
| More than 6 months, less than 1 year | JPY 21,000 | JPY 330 | JPY 21,330 |
| 1 year | JPY 27,000 | JPY 330 | JPY 27,330 |
| More than 1 year, less than 3 years | JPY 42,000 | JPY 330 | JPY 42,330 |
| 3 years or more, less than 5 years | JPY 56,000 | JPY 550 | JPY 56,550 |
| 5 years or more | JPY 65,000 | JPY 550 | JPY 65,550 |
Other online procedures
| Procedure | Government fee | Processing fee | Total payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single re-entry permit | JPY 3,500 | JPY 220 | JPY 3,720 |
| Multiple re-entry permit | JPY 6,500 | JPY 220 | JPY 6,720 |
| Certificate of Authorized Employment | JPY 1,600 | JPY 220 | JPY 1,820 |
The processing fee is the same for convenience-store and bank payment. Some convenience stores are not supported.
Permanent residence rises from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000
The fee for a new permanent residence permission will increase from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. This is different from renewing the validity period of an existing permanent resident’s residence card.
| Procedure | Through September 30, 2026 | From October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New permanent residence permission | ¥10,000 | ¥200,000 |
| Residence card validity renewal for an existing permanent resident | Free | Free |
The amounts in this article are government fees. Professional fees, certificate costs, translation expenses and postage may be charged separately. Paying the government fee does not guarantee approval.
Applications received on or before September 30 remain subject to the old fees
The relevant date is the application acceptance date, not the date permission is granted. An application received on or before September 30, 2026 remains subject to the old fee even if permission is granted on or after October 1. Applications received on or after October 1 are subject to the new fee.
For an online application, check and retain the email stating the provisional application receipt number or application receipt number. Use the acceptance date stated in that official email rather than relying only on the date the applicant clicked the submit button.
For permanent-residence eligibility and future policy developments, see our guide to the proposed permanent-residence guideline revision.
Online applications filed on or after October 1 do not use revenue stamps
- File online.
- The examination is completed.
- A payment email arrives separately from the examination-completion email.
- Pay through a convenience store or bank.
- After payment is confirmed, the residence card or other document proceeds to issuance.
- Internet banking may be used for bank payment.
- Credit cards and QR-code payments are not accepted.
- No paper payment notice will be mailed.
- Counter applications continue to use revenue stamps.
- An online application received on or before September 30 continues to use the old revenue-stamp method even if permission is granted on or after October 1.
Legitimate online immigration-fee payment emails are sent only from
no-reply@service-dgft.com. Do not open payment links or make a payment in response to an email from another address. Check the official Immigration Services Agency notice first.Fee-reduction applications cannot be filed online
An applicant seeking a fee reduction must file at an immigration counter and submit evidence supporting eligibility. The online residence application system does not support fee-reduction requests.
- Change or extension: reduced fee of JPY 10,000
- Permanent residence: reduced fee of JPY 20,000
This is not an automatic low-income discount. The applicant must satisfy both severe financial hardship comparable to a person in need under the public-assistance framework and circumstances requiring humanitarian consideration.
For permanent residence, potential reduction eligibility is limited to specified family-status categories, including a spouse or child of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident.
As of August 28, 2026, the ISA states that details of the supporting evidence will be announced later. Do not treat an assumed document list as final.
COE and embassy visa fees are separate
- Certificate of Eligibility application: outside this fee schedule.
- Visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate: subject to a separate Ministry of Foreign Affairs fee.
- Residence card reissuance and other procedures: governed by separate fee rules.
- Professional fees: separate from government charges.
Four practical perspectives
1. Applicant
Check the expiry date, filing window, expected period of stay and applications for accompanying family members. For permanent residence, income, tax, pension, health insurance, travel history and compliance should be reviewed first.
2. Employer or accepting organization
Clarify whether the employer or employee will bear the government fee. Employers with several foreign employees should budget by renewal month and possible period granted.
3. Supporting documents
Check consistency among the application form, employment contract, duties, tax and social-insurance records and dependent-family information.
4. Examination
The fee increase does not relax immigration requirements. Residence history, employer compliance, notifications and consistency with previous filings continue to matter.
Cost-planning examples for families and employers
A family of four, each granted one year through counter applications, would pay ¥132,000 in government fees. Ten employees, each granted five years or more through counter applications, would generate a total fee of ¥750,000.
Applicants cannot freely choose the period ultimately granted. Responsibility for the fee should also be addressed under the employment contract, company policy or applicable support arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
I already have permanent residence. Will my residence card renewal cost ¥200,000?
No. The ¥200,000 fee applies to a new permanent residence permission. Renewal of the validity period of an existing permanent resident’s residence card remains free.
Will filing in September secure the old fee?
An application received on or before September 30, 2026 remains subject to the old fee. For an online application, check the acceptance date stated in the provisional receipt-number or receipt-number email. Do not rely only on the submission date, and prioritize complete eligibility and evidence.
Is online filing always cheaper?
No. For a period of 3 months or less, the government fee is JPY 10,000 for both counter and online filing, but the online processing fee raises the total to JPY 10,330. Compare the full payment total in every category.
Can I pay an online application fee by credit card or QR code?
No. Applications received online on or after October 1, 2026 use convenience-store payment or bank payment. Internet banking may be used for bank payment.
Can I request a fee reduction online?
No. An applicant submitting evidence for a fee reduction must file at an immigration counter.
Is the government fee payable if the application is refused?
The government fee for a change, extension or permanent residence is paid when permission is granted. Professional fees and document-acquisition costs are separate.
Is there a family cap or general family discount?
No general family cap or across-the-board family discount has been established. A fee is generally payable for each applicant.
Does the new schedule apply to a COE application?
No. A COE application is separate from a change, extension or permanent residence application. A separate visa fee may arise at a Japanese embassy or consulate after the COE is issued.
Our public-comment submission
Our office submitted comments seeking measures including a family burden cap, consideration for minors and installment payment options. See our public-comment article for the submission and the government’s final response.
Review your extension, change or PR timeline
Tommy’s Legal Service can review your filing window, eligibility, supporting documents and the effect of the new government fees. Application timing should be based on legal eligibility and document readiness—not only on the fee increase.
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency: October 1, 2026 fee revision
- Immigration Services Agency: online fees and payment methods
- Immigration Services Agency: October 2026 fee revision Q&A
- Immigration Services Agency: fee reductions and exemptions
- Prime Minister’s Office: Cabinet agenda, August 25, 2026
- Immigration Services Agency: 2026 amendment
- e-Gov case 315000136: Cabinet Order and ministerial ordinance
- e-Gov case 315000137: reduction guidelines
- Immigration Services Agency: immigration procedure fees
This article provides general information based on materials available as of August 28, 2026. Acceptance-date treatment, reduction eligibility, supporting evidence and application to an individual case must be checked against the latest Cabinet Orders, ministerial ordinance, guidelines and ISA notices.
