Japan Increases Residence Status Fees Starting October 1: Renewals Up to 75,000, Permanent Residency 200,000 Yen

2026-10-04 · Guides

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan announced that, starting October 1, 2026, fees for changing residence status, renewing periods of stay, and obtaining permanent residency will increase. Fees for changes and renewals will now be tiered based on the approved period of stay, ranging from 10,000 to 75,000 yen for in-person processing, up from a flat rate of 6,000 yen; the fee for permanent residency will increase from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.

International students studying in Japan must pay a fee every time they renew their visa (Extension of Period of Stay) or change their status from "Student" to a work visa after graduation (Change of Status of Residence). Starting October 1, 2026, these fees have increased significantly. Previously, the fee was a flat 6,000 yen at the counter and 5,500 yen online, regardless of the approved duration. Now, the fees are tiered based on the approved period of stay: a one-year approval costs 33,000 yen at the counter, while an approval of more than one year but less than three years costs 48,000 yen. Families planning to study in Japan long-term and seek employment there after graduation need to factor these costs into their budget.

Comparison of Old and New Fees

Below are the new standards published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, applicable to both Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay. The amount is determined by the approved period of stay, not the period applied for.

Approved Period of Stay	Counter Application	Online Application
3 months or less	10,000 yen	10,000 yen
Over 3 months, 6 months or less	18,000 yen	15,000 yen
Over 6 months, less than 1 year	25,000 yen	21,000 yen
1 year	33,000 yen	27,000 yen
Over 1 year, less than 3 years	48,000 yen	42,000 yen
3 years or more, less than 5 years	64,000 yen	56,000 yen
5 years or more	75,000 yen	65,000 yen

Before the reform: 6,000 yen at the counter and 5,500 yen online, regardless of the duration.

Permanent Residency: Counter application fee increased from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.

Online applications require an additional payment processing fee on top of the amounts listed above.

When Do the New Standards Take Effect

Applications accepted before September 30, 2026: Even if approved after October 1, the old fees apply.
Applications submitted on or after October 1, 2026: The new fees apply.

Changes to Payment Methods

Online applications: For applications submitted through the "Online System for Residence Applications," payments after approval can only be made via convenience store or bank transfer; revenue stamps are no longer accepted. Bank transfers can be completed online without visiting a branch.
Counter applications: Revenue stamps are still used for payment. Since the fee varies based on the approved duration, the required stamp denominations will also differ. The Immigration Services Agency recommends purchasing the exact amount indicated on the postcard notification in advance at a larger post office, as inventory at shops near immigration counters is limited, and revenue stamps can only be purchased with cash.

Are There Fee Reductions or Exemptions

The law allows for fee reductions or exemptions for individuals facing "financial difficulties or other special circumstances." According to the Immigration Services Agency, the primary eligible groups are:

Individuals receiving public assistance or in a similar state of financial hardship
Children placed in child welfare facilities
Individuals receiving specific medical subsidies or special disability allowances
Others requiring humanitarian consideration

For those eligible for a reduction, the fee for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay is reduced to 10,000 yen, and for Permanent Residency, it is reduced to 20,000 yen. Reductions can only be applied for at the counter; the online system does not process these requests.

The agency's guidelines on reductions and exemptions do not include specific provisions for international students. Most international students are required to pay the standard fees.

What This Means for International Students

International students most commonly encounter two types of procedures:

Visa renewal: Applying for an Extension of Period of Stay when the current visa is about to expire before graduation.
Employment after graduation: Changing status from "Student" to a work-related status of residence after securing a job at a Japanese company. Those who stay in Japan to continue job hunting after graduation and change to another status of residence must also apply for a Change of Status of Residence.

Both categories are subject to the new standards. For example, if a visa renewal is approved for one year, the counter fee is 33,000 yen; if approved for more than one year but less than three years, the counter fee is 48,000 yen. When changing to a work visa after graduation, the longer the approved duration, the higher the fee. The exact duration is determined by the immigration bureau's review.

Compared to the past, each procedure now costs tens of thousands of yen more. If multiple renewals are needed during your studies, followed by a status change upon graduation, the cumulative difference becomes even more significant.

Budgeting Advice

Include the fees as a separate line item in your budget. Prepare tens of thousands of yen for each application based on the likely approved duration, referring to the table above.
Apply online whenever possible. For the same duration tier, online fees are several thousand to 10,000 yen cheaper than counter fees, though an additional payment processing fee applies.
Prepare your payment method in advance. Use convenience store or bank payments for online applications; for counter applications, purchase revenue stamps in advance and bring cash.
Monitor the latest announcements from the Immigration Services Agency. Fees, payment methods, and exemption rules are subject to the official website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
If planning long-term development in Japan, familiarize yourself with Permanent Residency fees in advance. The Permanent Residency fee has increased to 200,000 yen.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute visa or legal advice. Please refer to the latest information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for specific details.

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