Japan Visa Cost Comparison: 2026 Fees, Family and Long-Term Costs
Updated September 6, 2026
Japan Visa Cost Comparison: New Fees and Total Family and Long-Term Costs
PR permission rises to JPY 200,000 for October 1 receipts, and change and extension fees depend on the period granted. The old blanket conclusion that Japan is much cheaper than major destinations no longer follows from the fee schedule.
Compare the same purpose, duration and family size. Short-stay visas, work applications, domestic renewals and permanent residence are different procedures. Separate government fees from healthcare charges, employer costs, translation, evidence and professional support. Overseas figures were checked against official sources on September 6 and are shown in local currency, without a currency-based ranking.
1. Japan’s old and new fees and online totals
The final fees below apply to applications received on or after October 1, 2026. Applications received by September 30 retain the old fees even if permission is granted later: change and extension JPY 6,000 at the counter or JPY 5,500 online; permanent residence JPY 10,000.
Change and extension fees depend on the period actually granted, not the requested period. Government fees are separate from our professional fees and are generally paid when permission is granted.
| Period granted | Counter (JPY) | Online government fee (JPY) | Processing (JPY) | Online total (JPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 | 10,000 | 330 | 10,330 |
| More than 3 and up to 6 months | 18,000 | 15,000 | 330 | 15,330 |
| More than 6 months and less than 1 year | 25,000 | 21,000 | 330 | 21,330 |
| 1 year | 33,000 | 27,000 | 330 | 27,330 |
| More than 1 year and less than 3 years | 48,000 | 42,000 | 330 | 42,330 |
| 3 years or more and less than 5 years | 64,000 | 56,000 | 550 | 56,550 |
| 5 years or more | 75,000 | 65,000 | 550 | 65,550 |
Permanent residence permission costs JPY 200,000.Ordinary residence-card validity renewal for an existing permanent resident is a separate procedure and remains free.
Online Processing Fees and Payment — Checked September 6, 2026
The online amounts below show the government fee, the separate processing fee and the total. For online applications received from October 1, payment is by convenience store or bank payment. Revenue stamps, credit cards and QR code payments cannot be used. The official payment email comes from no-reply@service-dgft.com.
Online applications received by September 30 retain the old fees and revenue-stamp payment method even if permission is granted later. Counter applications continue to use revenue stamps. If you submit evidence for a fee reduction, apply at the counter: online filing does not support reductions.
Online government fees for re-entry permits and Certificates of Authorized Employment remain unchanged, but a JPY 220 processing fee applies to applications received from October 1. Totals are JPY 3,720 for single re-entry, JPY 6,720 for multiple re-entry and JPY 1,820 for an employment certificate.
These are separate from our professional fees and Stripe payment arrangements. Detailed payment operating instructions and supporting-document guidance for reductions remain subject to further official publication.
Official fee revision / Official online payment guidance / Fee reductions
Full explanation of final fees, transitional rules and reductions / Professional and government fee schedule
Overseas consular visa fees are a separate system
For applications accepted at Japanese overseas missions from July 1, 2026, the yen-equivalent benchmark is approximately JPY 15,000 for a single-entry visa and JPY 30,000 for multiple entry, generally paid in local currency. Nationality and purpose may change or waive the charge. No visa fee is charged if a visa is not issued. These charges are separate from domestic renewal and PR fees.
2. Match the scope of overseas charges
| Country / procedure | Examples in local currency | Scope of the comparison |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. nonimmigrant visas | USD 185 for standard non-petition categories; USD 205 for covered petition-based categories | State Department application processing fees only. USCIS petitions, reciprocity issuance charges and other applicable charges are additional. |
| UK standard Skilled Worker | Outside UK: GBP 819 up to 3 years, GBP 1,618 over 3 years. Inside UK: GBP 943 / 1,865 | Usually add IHS of GBP 1,035 per year. Exemptions and reduced categories exist; maintenance funds are not a fee. |
| Canada work / economic PR | Work permit CAD 155, plus CAD 100 for an open permit and CAD 85 biometrics where applicable. Economic PR CAD 1,590 | PR consists of CAD 990 processing plus CAD 600 RPRF. Family and employer-side costs require separate assessment. |
| Australia subclasses 482 / 189 | Skills in Demand 482 base charge AUD 4,015. Skilled Independent 189 points-tested base charge AUD 6,135 | Main applicant base amounts; additional family, sponsorship, nomination, levies, medical and other expenses may apply. |
| Germany residence / settlement | Residence permit EUR 100; extension up to 3 months EUR 96, longer EUR 93; general settlement EUR 113 | Purpose change EUR 98. Settlement categories of EUR 124 / 147 and exemptions may apply. |
| Schengen short-stay visa | Standard adult fee EUR 90 | Short visits are not equivalent to work renewal or PR. Age/nationality reductions and external service charges require separate checks. |
3. One payment versus repeated renewals and family costs
Assuming unchanged fees, no reductions and a one-year grant each time, five renewals cost JPY 165,000 at the counter or JPY 136,650 online. One five-year grant costs JPY 75,000 at the counter or JPY 65,550 online. Applicants cannot choose their granted period; this is a cost scenario, not a promise of a five-year permission.
Four family members each receiving a one-year change or extension pay JPY 132,000 at the counter or JPY 109,320 online. Four new PR permissions cost JPY 800,000 in government fees alone. Professional fees, certificates, translation and postage are additional.
4. The conclusion depends on the procedure and total burden
JPY 200,000 for PR and repeated renewal costs require a reassessment of the old description of Japan as uniformly low-cost. Overseas systems may include healthcare, employer and additional family charges, so comparing one Japanese permission fee with a complete foreign package is also misleading.
Japan generally collects change, extension and PR permission fees on approval. Refusal does not trigger that permission fee, but already-incurred translation, certificate and professional costs do not automatically disappear. Build the budget from the procedures, number of renewals, family size, preparation costs and refund terms.
Review eligibility and cost planning together
Check the applicant, employer or receiving institution, consistency of evidence and current examination practice before selecting a filing date. Allow for family and employer costs as well as the individual fee.
Immigration inquiry and quotation / Professional and government fee schedule / Payment timing and refusal-cost comparison
Official sources checked
- Japan MOFA — visa fees from July 1, 2026
- U.S. Department of State — Fees for Visa Services
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker costs
- Canada IRCC — current fees and RPRF refunds
- Australia Home Affairs — current visa pricing table
- Germany AufenthV §44 — settlement / §45 — residence permits
- European Commission — Schengen visa
