Starting April 1, Japan will raise application fees for various immigration procedures, with some costs increasing by up to 50%. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) cites rising operational and personnel costs as the reason for these adjustments, marking the first price hike for some procedures in over 40 years.
Applications submitted before March 31 will still be processed under the current fee structure, even if approval comes after the new prices take effect.
Updated Immigration Fees
- Residence Status Changes & Renewals: Increasing from ¥4,000 to ¥6,000 for in-person applications. Online applications will be slightly cheaper at ¥5,500.
- Permanent Residency Applications: Rising from ¥8,000 to ¥10,000.
- Reentry Permits:
- Single-entry: Increasing from ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 for in-person applications and ¥3,500 for online applications.
- Multiple-entry: Rising to ¥7,000 in person and ¥6,500 online.
- Certificate of Authorized Employment: Increasing from ¥1,200 to ¥2,000 for in-person applications and ¥1,600 online.
- Registered User Cards (for frequent travelers using automatic gates at certain airports): Issuance and reissuance fees will rise to ¥4,000 and ¥2,000, respectively.
Special Reentry Permits Remain Free
Short-term reentry permits, typically required for foreign residents traveling abroad for less than one year, will remain free of charge.
Will the Fee Increase Improve Processing Times?
Currently, it takes about one to two months for the ISA to process applications for residence status changes and renewals. While the agency has not confirmed whether the higher fees will lead to faster processing times, it has stated its commitment to improving efficiency and minimizing delays.
Future Plans for Online Payment
At present, immigration fees must be paid by purchasing revenue stamps and submitting them with the application, whether applying in person or online. However, the ISA is exploring digital payment options to simplify the process in the future.
These changes highlight Japan’s efforts to update its immigration system while addressing operational costs. Foreign residents and applicants should plan accordingly to avoid last-minute fee adjustments.
