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✅ [Added September 1, 2026] This article explains the draft stage
This article explains the draft cabinet order and ministerial ordinance published on July 3, 2026 (the public comment stage). Since then, the amended Enforcement Order of the Immigration Control Act has been promulgated and the content has been finalized (the Immigration Services Agency has published the fee table, Q&A, and leaflet). The fees took effect on October 1, 2026. Please read references in the body to a "draft," "planned," or "not yet finalized" as reflecting the time of writing on July 4, 2026.
👉 For the finalized details, see Residence Permit Fees Revised on October 1, 2026 — Final Version.
On July 3, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency (hereinafter, “Immigration Services Agency”) announced draft cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances that would significantly raise the fees for procedures such as Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and Application for Permission for Permanent Residence, and began accepting public comments from the same day. The drafts propose an increase in fees for Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay from the current flat rate of 6,000 yen to a maximum of 75,000 yen, and for Application for Permission for Permanent Residence from the current 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, with implementation scheduled for October 1, 2026. This article, based on the premise that these are merely “drafts” and not yet finalized, will clarify the amounts, impacts, and necessary actions from the perspectives of foreign nationals and accepting companies, as organized by an Administrative Scrivener.
On May 29, 2026, the amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter, “Immigration Control Act”) was passed at a plenary session of the House of Councillors, legally raising the maximum amount of fees for Status of Residence procedures. What was announced this time (July 3, 2026) are the draft cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances that set the actual amounts within the framework of those maximums.
The Immigration Services Agency has been conducting a public comment period on e-Gov (the comprehensive portal for electronic government) since the same day. The amounts will be finalized based on the opinions received, and the cabinet orders will then be promulgated. Therefore, please note that the current amounts are not “finalized fees” but “drafts open for public comment.”
📌 Key Point: The “maximum amounts decided by law” and the “actual amounts indicated in the draft cabinet orders” are different. All amounts in this article are drafts announced on July 3, 2026, and may change based on public comments and future deliberations.
The fees for Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay, as indicated in the draft cabinet orders, will change from the previous “flat rate of 6,000 yen” to a tiered system based on the length of the Period of Stay. Additionally, online (electronic) applications will have lower fees than applications submitted at the counter.
| Procedure / Period of Stay | Current | Proposed (Counter) | Proposed (Online) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change / Extension (3 months or less) | 6,000 yen | 10,000 yen | 10,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (Over 3 months, 6 months or less) | 6,000 yen | 18,000 yen | 15,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (Over 6 months, less than 1 year) | 6,000 yen | 25,000 yen | 21,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (1 year) | 6,000 yen | 33,000 yen | 27,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (Over 1 year, less than 3 years) | 6,000 yen | 48,000 yen | 42,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (3 years or more, less than 5 years) | 6,000 yen | 64,000 yen | 56,000 yen |
| Change / Extension (5 years or more) | 6,000 yen | 75,000 yen | 65,000 yen |
| Permission for Permanent Residence | 10,000 yen | 200,000 yen | Not applicable (Counter only) |
Here are three key points:
💡 The amounts are still “drafts.” However, the scheduled implementation date is October 1, 2026. While awaiting finalization, it is advisable to plan your procedures early, assuming these changes will take effect.
We will clarify a point that can be confusing due to multiple figures. This fee increase is easier to understand in two stages.
| Stage | What is Decided | Change / Extension | Permission for Permanent Residence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ① Law (Amended Immigration Control Act) | Maximum Amount | 100,000 yen | 300,000 yen | Passed on May 29, 2026 |
| ② Cabinet Order / Ministerial Ordinance | Actual Amount to be Paid | Maximum 75,000 yen (draft) | 200,000 yen (draft) | Under public comment |
In other words, the maximum amounts that can be collected (100,000 yen for change/extension, 300,000 yen for Permanent Residence) were first decided by law, and then the draft cabinet orders set the actual amounts (maximum 75,000 yen for change/extension, 200,000 yen for Permanent Residence) within that framework. Since the actual amounts are not yet finalized, this article explicitly states “draft” or “scheduled.”
The Immigration Services Agency simultaneously published the Draft Guidelines for Fee Reduction Eligibility, which is also subject to public comment. According to the draft, fees will be reduced for individuals who meet both criteria: “those in financial hardship equivalent to persons requiring assistance as stipulated in the Public Assistance Act” and “those who require humanitarian consideration.”
| Procedure | Standard (Draft) | Reduced (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Extension of Period of Stay | Up to JPY 75,000 | JPY 10,000 |
| Application for Permission for Permanent Residence | JPY 200,000 | JPY 20,000 |
While it is important that measures are in place to assist those in financial hardship, there are requirements for application, and not everyone will automatically receive a reduction. Whether an individual qualifies will be determined based on the final official guidelines and individual circumstances.
📋 The greatest impact on household finances will be for those with longer Periods of Stay and those aiming for Permanent Resident status.
Foreign nationals can take the following actions now:
🏢 For businesses employing foreign talent, the increase in Application for Extension of Period of Stay fees will become a recurring cost. The impact is particularly significant for companies that bear the renewal costs or employ a large number of foreign employees.
⚠️ While the fee increase is a “draft,” the scheduled enforcement date is October 1, 2026. As a business, it is advisable to prepare early, assuming an impact, while awaiting final confirmation to avoid rushing.
The currently published timeline is as follows (all include drafts and plans).
📅 Anticipated Schedule
The following three immediate actions are common to both foreign nationals themselves and businesses:
The current draft cabinet order, draft ministerial ordinance, and draft reduction guidelines are all subject to public comment. Those who have opinions on the system can submit their opinions within the recruitment period from the relevant case page on e-Gov (Portal Site for Government Administrative Services).
https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/)Public comment is a formal procedure through which foreign nationals themselves and accepting businesses, as stakeholders in the system, can convey their opinions. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of the amounts or the impact on practical operations, it is worth considering submitting an opinion.
No. As of July 3, 2026, they are still “drafts” and will be finalized after the public comment period. The amounts and effective dates may change.
The draft cabinet order schedules enforcement on October 1, 2026. However, finalization will be after the promulgation of the cabinet order.
Generally, fees are determined based on criteria such as the time of permission or issuance. The relationship between the effective date and your procedure’s timing may vary depending on individual circumstances. If you rush with insufficient preparation solely to avoid the fee increase, the risk of denial increases, so please consult with an expert for advice on timing.
Regarding Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay, the draft indicates that online applications are set to be approximately 3,000 to 10,000 yen cheaper than applications submitted at the counter. However, Application for Permission for Permanent Residence is not eligible for online discount (counter submission only).
The draft guidelines for those eligible for reduction indicate that in cases where financial hardship is comparable to that of a person requiring protection and humanitarian consideration is deemed necessary, the fees for Status of Residence change/extension will be reduced to 10,000 yen, and for Application for Permission for Permanent Residence, to 20,000 yen. Application requires specific conditions and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
No. 100,000 yen (for change/extension) and 300,000 yen (for permanent residence) are maximum amounts stipulated by law. The actual amounts to be paid are indicated as a maximum of 75,000 yen and 200,000 yen in the draft cabinet order (both are drafts).
The increase in Immigration Services Fee is a topic with significant practical implications for both foreign nationals themselves and accepting businesses. While the amounts are still “drafts,” the scheduled effective date is October 1, 2026. Therefore, not just waiting for finalization, but also planning for procedures assuming the impact will occur will lead to peace of mind. Especially for those considering Application for Permission for Permanent Residence and businesses employing many foreign nationals, we recommend clarifying application timing, fees, and the feasibility of online applications early.
Our office, based on the latest institutional trends, accepts consultations from both foreign nationals themselves and accepting businesses.
Please feel free to use our free consultation.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates may change in the future. For actual applications, please refer to the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
