Japan will implement substantial increases in residence permit and permanent residency application fees effective October 1, 2026. According to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) under Japan's Ministry of Justice, applicants seeking to renew or change their residence status will now pay fees based on the length of the residence permit instead of the current flat charge of ₹5,000. The revised fee structure includes ₹10,000 for up to three months, ₹30,000 for one-year permits, ₹60,000 for three-year permits, and ₹70,000 for five-year permits. The steepest increase applies to permanent residency applications, with fees rising from ₹10,000 to approximately ₹200,000, representing a 20-fold increase.
The ISA stated that the revised charges are designed to cover increasing processing costs, expand digital immigration services, and support a growing foreign resident population. According to Bloomberg reports, Japan recorded a record 4.1 million foreign residents in 2025, representing a 9.5% increase from the previous year. The Japanese government's budget for managing foreign nationals this financial year allocated ₹48.9 billion, approximately 39% more than the initial allocation in the previous financial year. Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi confirmed that the revised fees are based on actual costs associated with processing applications and managing foreign nationals' entry, exit, and residence.
The fee increases will significantly affect thousands of Indian nationals living and working in Japan, particularly professionals in information technology, engineering, manufacturing, research, and education sectors. Many Indian workers hold residence permits requiring renewal every one, three, or five years, with those planning permanent residency applications facing the sharpest cost increases. The changes could increase overall relocation costs for Indian professionals and their families planning long-term stays in Japan.
According to the ISA, applicants eligible to renew residence status or submit permanent residency applications before October 1 may complete the process under the existing fee structure. The agency has advised applicants to verify the latest fee schedule and application requirements before filing applications. The fee revision represents the first major increase in residence-related charges in decades and follows Japan's recent decision to raise visa fees for short-term visitors from July 1, 2026.
