What Are the Fees Required for Status of Residence Procedures?
For applications related to a status of residence in Japan, applicants are required to pay fees to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. In principle, these fees are paid using revenue stamps, and the specific amounts are set by Cabinet Order. Because the amount differs depending on the type of application and the period of stay granted, be sure to check the applicable fee before starting the procedure.Main Procedures That Require Fees
The main procedures that require fees are the following four types.■Application for Extension of Period of Stay
……A procedure to extend the current period of stay while keeping the same status of residence, such as a work visa, Specified Skilled Worker, spouse visa, or dependent visa.
■Application for Change of Status of Residence
……A procedure to change from one status of residence to another, such as changing from a work visa to the status of “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.”
■Application for Permanent Residence
……A procedure to obtain permanent resident status after meeting certain requirements (*).
(*) Permanent residence is an important procedure that eliminates the need to renew the period of stay, but it is assessed comprehensively based on factors such as years of residence in Japan, income, tax payments, pension contributions, social insurance status, and conduct. Under the guideline revision in February 2026, having the longest possible period of stay, in principle five years, has also become an important point of consideration. For more details on the requirements, necessary documents, and the latest 2026 legal revisions related to permanent residence, please see What Is an Application for Permanent Residence? A Guide to the Requirements, Approval Conditions, and the Latest Legal Revisions in 2026.
■Application for Re-entry Permit
……A procedure that allows foreign nationals to leave Japan temporarily, such as for a visit to their home country or overseas travel, while maintaining their status of residence. There are two types: single re-entry permits and multiple re-entry permits.
For foreign nationals themselves and the people or companies accepting them, the two most relevant procedures are the Application for Extension of Period of Stay and the Application for Change of Status of Residence. Since renewal procedures are required each time the period of stay expires after employment, these fees should be considered an ongoing cost.
There are various statuses of residence that require renewal procedures, including “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” “Specified Skilled Worker,” and “Business Manager.” For more details on the characteristics of each status of residence and how renewals work, please see What Is a Status of Residence? A Clear Guide to the 29 Types and the Difference Between Work Visas and Status-Based Visas.
In addition to renewing a status of residence or applying for permanent residence, another option for those who wish to live in Japan long term is naturalization, which means acquiring Japanese nationality. If you would like to learn about the requirements, necessary documents, costs, and process for naturalization, please also see What Is Naturalization? A Complete Guide to the Requirements, Necessary Documents, Costs, and Process [2026 Latest Edition].
Current Fees from April 1, 2025 Onward
The fees were revised on April 1, 2025, and the amounts for major procedures were increased. The fees currently applied from April 1, 2025 onward are shown in the table below.| Type of procedure | Before revision | Current fee From April 1, 2025 onward |
|---|---|---|
| Permission to change status of residence | 4,000 yen | 6,000 yen Online application: 5,500 yen |
| Permission to extend period of stay | 4,000 yen | 6,000 yen Online application: 5,500 yen |
| Application for permanent residence | 8,000 yen | 10,000 yen |
| Re-entry permit Single entry | 3,000 yen | 4,000 yen |
| Re-entry permit Multiple entry | 6,000 yen | 7,000 yen |
Under the April 2025 revision, fees for changing or renewing a status of residence increased from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen, while the fee for permanent residence increased from 8,000 yen to 10,000 yen. In each case, this represents an increase of approximately 1.25 to 1.5 times. This revision has already taken effect, and current applications are subject to these amounts.
When and How Much Will the Status of Residence Renewal Fee Increase?
Under the Immigration Control Act revision being advanced in 2026, the statutory maximum amount for fees will be raised significantly. However, the important point is that what is being increased is only the legal upper limit. The actual amount to be collected will be determined separately by Cabinet Order after the bill is enacted.At present, information such as “the fee for permanent residence will become 300,000 yen” has spread on its own. However, the upper limit will not necessarily become the actual fee.
Increase in the Statutory Maximum Amounts Under the Immigration Control Act Revision Bill
Under the current Immigration Control Act, the statutory maximum amount is 10,000 yen for permission to change status of residence, permission to extend period of stay, and permission for permanent residence. The latest revision bill provides for a significant increase in these maximum amounts as follows.| Type of procedure | Current statutory maximum | Statutory maximum after revision |
|---|---|---|
| Permission to change status of residence | 10,000 yen | 100,000 yen |
| Permission to extend period of stay | 10,000 yen | 100,000 yen |
| Permission for permanent residence | 10,000 yen | 300,000 yen |
The actual amount of the fee to be collected will continue to be delegated to Cabinet Order. The Cabinet Order is expected to set fees in stages depending on the length of the period of stay, and the maximum amount will not automatically be charged as the actual fee. Even so, compared with the current fees of 6,000 to 10,000 yen, a major increase is likely unavoidable.
The Enforcement Date Will Be Set by Cabinet Order by March 31, 2027
The enforcement date for the revised provisions concerning fees is stated in the bill as “a date specified by Cabinet Order within the period up to March 31, 2027.” In other words, the specific date will be determined by Cabinet Order, with March 31, 2027 as the deadline.The Immigration Control Act revision bill passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026. After deliberation and enactment in the House of Councillors, the enforcement date and specific fee amounts will be finalized by Cabinet Order. Since the new fees will apply to applications approved on or after the enforcement date, even if an application is submitted shortly before enforcement, the new fee may apply if the application is still under review when the enforcement date arrives.
Reduction or Exemption of Fees May Be Available in Cases of Financial Difficulty
The bill also includes provisions for fee reductions or exemptions for people who would face financial difficulty in paying the fees.However, the scope of eligibility is subject to conditions. For permanent residence applications, reduction or exemption is limited to spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents. It does not apply to all applicants.
The specific procedures and requirements for fee reductions or exemptions are expected to be announced by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan after the revised rules come into effect.
Impact of the Major Status of Residence Renewal Fee Increase on Employers and How to Respond
The increase in the statutory maximum fees may create a cost burden for companies employing foreign staff on a completely different scale from before. At this stage, the actual amounts to be collected have not yet been finalized. However, depending on the content of the Cabinet Order, the increase could affect labor costs and hiring strategies.(Reference) Companies that employ foreign staff should pay attention not only to the fee increase but also to the new Special Residence Card system, which will be introduced from June 14, 2026. For an overview of the new system and the key points that company personnel should check, please see What Is the Special Residence Card? A Complete Guide for Company Personnel on the New System Starting June 14, 2026.
Companies that hire and accept foreign staff should also organize the overall residence-related procedures required at the time of employment. For the basic process of visa applications required when employing foreign nationals, please also see How to Apply for a Visa When Accepting Foreign Workers: A Complete Guide to the Required Procedures and Documents.
Depending on Renewal Frequency and Number of Employees, the Cost Increase Could Become Significant
The period of stay granted to foreign staff varies, such as one year, three years, or five years, depending on the company category and the details of the application. The shorter the period of stay, the more frequently renewals are required. Therefore, if the fees become higher, the impact on total costs will be larger.For example, if the renewal fee is set at around 30,000 to 40,000 yen, a company with 10 foreign staff members could incur renewal fees of 300,000 to 400,000 yen in a single renewal cycle. For statuses of residence such as Specified Skilled Worker No. 1, where annual renewals are common, this burden may recur every year, and the cumulative cost could become substantial.
Three Measures Companies Should Prepare Before Enforcement
The first step is to understand your company’s current situation. Before the revised rules take effect, prepare the following three points.■Create a list of period-of-stay expiration dates
……Visualize who needs to renew and when, so that you can immediately identify which cases will be affected before and after the enforcement date.
■Consider whether renewal applications can be brought forward before enforcement
……Depending on the remaining period of stay, it may be possible to apply under the current fee structure. Avoid waiting until just before the enforcement date and prepare with sufficient time.
■Clarify the rules on cost burden in work rules or employment contracts
……There is no provision under current law that clearly states whether the company or the foreign employee must bear the renewal fee. Given that fees may rise to tens of thousands of yen, companies can prevent disputes by clearly setting internal rules in advance.
How to Reduce the Number of Renewals
The most fundamental way to respond to the fee increase is to reduce the number of renewals themselves. One effective approach is to make use of the Immigration Services Agency’s company category system.The Immigration Services Agency classifies applicant companies into Categories 1 to 4 based on factors such as company size, credibility, and compliance status. The higher the category, the more likely the company is to receive a longer period of stay, up to a maximum of five years. Category 1 includes listed companies, as well as companies certified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under systems such as “Eruboshi” certification and “Kurumin” certification. Even small and medium-sized companies may be treated as equivalent to Category 1 by obtaining such certifications, so it is worth considering whether certification is feasible.
It is also effective to consider transitioning from Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 to Specified Skilled Worker No. 2. Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 has no upper limit on the number of renewals and can lead to more stable long-term residence with fewer renewal-related concerns.
Impact of the Major Status of Residence Renewal Fee Increase on Foreign Nationals and Their Families
The fee increase will not only affect employers’ hiring costs but also directly affect the household finances of foreign nationals and their families living in Japan. In particular, households that need to renew the status of residence for all family members, as well as people considering permanent residence, should review their situation as early as possible.The Renewal Burden for Spouse Visas and Dependent Visas May Increase Significantly
Spouse visas, such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident,” as well as dependent visas, are also subject to permission to extend the period of stay. Therefore, they will be directly affected by this fee increase. Currently, the fee is 6,000 yen per person, or 5,500 yen for online applications. However, if the new fee set by Cabinet Order is around 30,000 yen, families may face a considerable expense at the time of renewal.For example, if a family of four consisting of a married couple and two children all need to renew their status of residence, the current total cost would be about 24,000 yen. Under the new fee structure, it could exceed 120,000 yen. If the renewal timing overlaps for all family members, the burden will be much heavier than before.
Those Seeking Permanent Residence Need to Review Their Cost Plan
For applications for permanent residence, the latest Immigration Control Act revision bill raises the statutory maximum fee from the current 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen. The actual amount to be collected will be finalized by Cabinet Order. However, it is expected to exceed 100,000 yen, and a significant increase from the current 10,000 yen appears unavoidable.For those considering permanent residence, the important point is to determine as early as possible whether they can apply before the revised fees take effect.
However, even if you rush to apply in order to avoid the fee increase, your application may be denied if you do not meet the requirements, such as period of stay, income, tax payment status, pension and social insurance enrollment, and overall conduct. The first step is to organize the requirements for permanent residence and check whether you are in a position to apply. For more details on the requirements, necessary documents, and latest 2026 legal revisions related to permanent residence, please see What Is an Application for Permanent Residence? A Guide to the Requirements, Approval Conditions, and the Latest Legal Revisions in 2026.
If you meet the requirements related to residence history, income, tax payment status, conduct, and other factors, it is worth actively considering applying before the revised fees take effect.
One important point to note is that, in principle, the fee is not refunded even if the application is denied. Rushing to apply without sufficient preparation could have the opposite effect, so be sure to carefully confirm whether you meet the requirements before applying. If you are unsure about your eligibility, it is advisable to consult an administrative scrivener authorized to handle immigration applications before making a decision.
Permanent residence allows foreign nationals to continue living in Japan while retaining their foreign nationality, whereas naturalization is the procedure for acquiring Japanese nationality. For more details on the difference between permanent residence and naturalization, as well as the costs and necessary documents for naturalization, please see A Guide to Naturalization Requirements, Necessary Documents, Costs, and Process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Status of Residence Renewal Fees
As news of the fee increase spreads, more people are asking questions such as “Will the fee immediately become 300,000 yen?” and “Should I apply as soon as possible?” Here, we answer common questions from company personnel and foreign nationals in Q&A format.Q. Will the fee for a status of residence immediately become 300,000 yen?
A. No, it will not. The “300,000 yen” figure is the statutory maximum amount for applications for permanent residence, and it is the upper limit included in the bill. The actual amount of the fee to be collected will be determined separately by Cabinet Order after the Immigration Control Act revision bill is enacted. The upper limit will not necessarily become the actual fee, so it is incorrect to understand this as meaning “the fee will immediately become 300,000 yen.” At this stage, the specific amount is expected to be finalized after the bill is enacted and the Cabinet Order is established.Q. If I apply before the enforcement date, will the old fee apply?
A. At the time of the April 2025 revision, applications accepted by March 31, 2025 were handled under the pre-revision fee, even if approval was granted on or after April 1. Whether the same treatment will apply in the upcoming revision will depend on the content of the Cabinet Order.Even if you rush to submit an application just before the enforcement date, there is no guarantee that the old fee will apply. If your renewal period is approaching, it is important to monitor developments regarding the enforcement date and prepare and apply as early as possible.
Q. Can the fee be waived if I am in financial difficulty?
A. The Immigration Control Act revision bill includes provisions that allow fees to be reduced or waived for people who have financial difficulty or other special reasons. However, the scope of this provision is subject to conditions. For permanent residence applications, reduction or exemption is limited to spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents. Not all applicants will be eligible.The specific application procedures and requirements for reductions or exemptions are expected to be announced by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan after the revised rules come into effect.
Q. Is the company required to pay the fee?
A. There is no legal provision that requires companies to bear the fee. Whether the company or the foreign employee pays the fee depends on the company’s work rules and employment contract. Some companies may have customarily paid the current 6,000 yen fee on behalf of employees, but if the fee rises to tens of thousands of yen, they may need to reconsider their policy.To prevent disputes, companies are advised to clearly state internal rules before the revised fees take effect and inform foreign staff in advance.
Summary
The fees for changing or renewing a status of residence were raised from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen on April 1, 2025, and the fee for permanent residence was raised from 8,000 yen to 10,000 yen. In addition, the Immigration Control Act revision bill includes an increase in the statutory maximum amount to 100,000 yen for changes and renewals, and to 300,000 yen for permanent residence. The bill passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026. The enforcement date is expected to be set by Cabinet Order by March 31, 2027, and the specific fee amounts will also be finalized by Cabinet Order.Before the fees are raised significantly, companies should prepare by listing renewal schedules, clarifying rules on who bears the cost, and checking their company category. Foreign nationals should also prepare early so that they can renew their status of residence or apply for permanent residence without delay.
Status of residence procedures involve complex requirements, and incomplete documents may lead to denial. As the fee amount increases, the cost of a failed application also becomes larger. To proceed smoothly and reliably, it is advisable to consult an administrative scrivener authorized to handle immigration applications. If you are looking for an administrative scrivener who can support status of residence applications, please use Shinsei Navi, one of Japan’s largest administrative scrivener search sites.
