The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has announced that the fees for residence-related permissions will be revised from 1 October 2026. The revision covers permission to change status of residence, permission to extend the period of stay, and permission for permanent residence.
This article sets out what the Immigration Services Agency published. It contains no legal assessment or advice from this firm.
What changes
A cabinet order amending the Order for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and the Order for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan, takes effect on 1 October 2026.
According to the announcement, the amended order sets the fee for a change of status of residence and for an extension of the period of stay according to the category of the period of stay granted. The fee was previously a single flat amount regardless of the period.
Fee before the revision
| Type of permission | Fee before revision |
|---|---|
| Change of status of residence / Extension of period of stay | 5,500 yen |
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Try for free →Fee after the revision (online applications)
The following table is as published by the Immigration Services Agency for online applications. For online applications a separate settlement fee payable to the designated agent applies.
| Period granted | Fee after revision | Settlement fee | Total payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 yen | 330 yen | 10,330 yen |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 15,000 yen | 330 yen | 15,330 yen |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 21,000 yen | 330 yen | 21,330 yen |
| 1 year | 27,000 yen | 330 yen | 27,330 yen |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 42,000 yen | 330 yen | 42,330 yen |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 56,000 yen | 550 yen | 56,550 yen |
| 5 years or more | 65,000 yen | 550 yen | 65,550 yen |
Fees that remain unchanged
| Type of permission | Fee | Settlement fee | Total payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-entry permit (single) | 3,500 yen | 220 yen | 3,720 yen |
| Re-entry permit (multiple) | 6,500 yen | 220 yen | 6,720 yen |
| Certificate of Authorized Employment | 1,600 yen | 220 yen | 1,820 yen |
Which applications the new fees apply to
According to the announcement:
・The revised fees apply to applications accepted on or after 1 October 2026. ・For applications accepted by 30 September 2026, the pre-revision fee applies even if the permission or issuance falls on or after 1 October 2026.
Change to the payment method
Alongside the cabinet order, the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was amended so that, where permission or issuance follows an application accepted through the Online Residence Application System, the fee is paid through an agent designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.
According to the announcement, payment therefore changes from revenue stamps to convenience-store payment or bank payment. Where an application is accepted at a counter, payment continues to be made by revenue stamp.
The Immigration Services Agency also states that notices concerning online residence permission fees are sent only from the designated settlement agent's address "no-reply@service-dgft.com", and warns that any email from another address requesting payment of fees is fraudulent.
Reduction and exemption
According to the announcement, Article 67, paragraph 3 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act as amended provides that where a person receiving permission to change status of residence, to extend the period of stay, or for permanent residence is a person specified by cabinet order as one for whom it is appropriate to reduce or waive the fee by reason of economic hardship or other special circumstances, the fee may be reduced or waived. Those persons are listed in Article 25, paragraph 2 of the amended Order for Enforcement.
Eligible for reduction are persons found to be in need to a degree comparable to a person requiring public assistance under the Public Assistance Act, and for whom humanitarian consideration is required. For permanent residence, reduction is limited to spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents.
The reduced fees are published as follows.
・Change of status of residence: 10,000 yen ・Extension of period of stay: 10,000 yen ・Permanent residence: 20,000 yen
Exemption applies to any of the following.
・A person receiving a change to the "Diplomat" or "Official" status of residence ・A person residing under the "Official" status who receives an extension of the period of stay ・A person receiving a change to the "Designated Activities" status who is specifically designated to engage in activities as a staff member of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association office in Japan, or of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Japan, or as a family member of the same household ・A person residing under "Designated Activities" specifically designated for the above activities who receives an extension of the period of stay
The announcement also states that the Online Residence Application System does not support the reduction measure. Where supporting documents for a reduction are to be submitted, the application must be made at a counter.
Primary sources
・Immigration Services Agency, "Revision of residence permission fees effective 1 October 2026" https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00644.html
・Immigration Services Agency, "Reduction and exemption of residence permission fees on and after 1 October 2026" https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00273.html
・Immigration Services Agency, "Fee amounts and payment methods for online applications (applies only to applications filed on or after 1 October 2026)" https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html
・e-Gov, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951) https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319
About this article
This article summarises information published by a Japanese government body, compiled by our editorial team. It has not been reviewed by an attorney and contains no legal assessment or advice on any specific matter. Please contact us for advice on a particular case.
