Immigration Services Fee Revised on October 1st | Old Fees Apply Until September 30th

From October 1, 2026, the fees for Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and Application for Permission for Permanent Residence were revised. The Immigration Services Agency published the fee schedule and related materials on August 28, 2026, confirming the amounts. Extensions will be up to 75,000 yen depending on the Period of Stay, and Permanent Residency will be 200,000 yen. However, applications accepted by September 30, 2026, will be subject to the pre-revision fees, even if permission is granted after October. This article clarifies the amounts, transitional measures, payment methods, and fee reductions/exemptions for foreign nationals and HR professionals at companies.

The draft ordinance as of July 2026 was explained in “Proposed Residence Fee Increase | Permanent Residence 200,000 yen, Scheduled for October 2026“. This article serves as the final version, covering payment fees, fee reduction guidelines, and payment methods that were not disclosed at that time. For information on how to proceed with the application itself, please also refer to “Online Residence Application System“.

---

1. Conclusion: Revision on October 1, but the standard is the “Application Date”

First, here are three key points.

The basis for this is the “Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Enforcement Order of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Provisions for Immigration Control for Persons Who Have Renounced Japanese Nationality Based on the Treaty of Peace with Japan” (hereinafter, the Revised Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order). The amount of the fees is stipulated in Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Revised Immigration Control Act Enforcement Order.

Please note that this revision applies to three procedures: Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and Application for Permission for Permanent Residence. For procedures other than these three, the fee amounts themselves will not change, as described later.

2. How Much Will the Revised Fees Be?

2-1. Before Revision (Until September 30, 2026)

Content of Permission	Application Method	Fee
Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Extension of Period of Stay	In-person	6,000 yen
Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Online	5,500 yen
Permanent Residency	In-person	10,000 yen

2-2. After Revision (From October 1, 2026)

The fees for Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay will vary depending on the category of the Period of Stay granted.

Period of Permission	In-person	Online
3 months or less	10,000 yen	10,000 yen
Over 3 months to 6 months	18,000 yen	15,000 yen
Over 6 months to less than 1 year	25,000 yen	21,000 yen
1 year	33,000 yen	27,000 yen
Over 1 year to less than 3 years	48,000 yen	42,000 yen
3 years to less than 5 years	64,000 yen	56,000 yen
5 years or more	75,000 yen	65,000 yen

Permanent Residency will be 200,000 yen. The published fee schedule only shows the in-person fee for Permanent Residency.

Comparing with the most common “1-year extension,” the in-person fee changes from 6,000 yen to 33,000 yen, and for a 5-year extension, it will be 75,000 yen. Please consider that for a family of four renewing their Status of Residence together, the burden will increase by an order of magnitude.

2-3. Why Do Fees Differ Based on Period of Stay?

According to the Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A, the fees were set according to the Period of Stay because the degree of benefit from the policy is considered to differ depending on the Period of Stay. Furthermore, it is stated that individuals granted a long Period of Stay generally have good residence status, and therefore, the fees are set so that the annual burden is lower than for those with shorter periods.

In fact, a 5-year extension (75,000 yen) costs 15,000 yen per year, while a 1-year extension (33,000 yen) costs 33,000 yen per year. The system is designed so that those who can renew for 5 years at once bear a lighter annual burden.

While being granted a longer Period of Stay has always been advantageous in terms of procedural effort, this revision also introduces a difference in terms of cost.

3. [Most Important] The Reference Date for Transitional Measures is the “Application Date,” Not the “Permission Date”

This point will have the most significant impact on practical operations.

The Immigration Services Agency states that, for applications received by September 30, 2026, payment will be made according to the pre-revision fees, even if the permission for that application is granted on or after October 1. The Agency’s Q&A also explicitly states that the amount to be paid by those who applied before October 1 and receive permission on or after that date will be the “pre-revision amount.”

In other words, the criteria for determination are as follows:

The Application for Extension of Period of Stay is generally accepted starting three months before the expiration of the Period of Stay. Those whose Period of Stay expires around October to December 2026 may be able to apply during September. Please reconfirm the validity period of your Residence Card.

However, our office does not uniformly advise rushing to apply in September. The optimal application timing varies depending on the Period of Stay expiration date, document preparation status, and any changes in employment or personal status. Submitting an application without proper preparation, leading to requests for additional documents and a prolonged immigration review, can result in a burden greater than the monetary cost. Please calculate backward from your Period of Stay expiration date, keeping in mind that the reference date is the application date.

4. Online Applications Incur a Separate “Payment Processing Fee”

While the fee schedule might suggest that online applications are cheaper, online applications incur a separate payment processing fee to a designated service provider, in addition to the application fee. The actual amounts payable are as follows:

Period of Permission	Application Fee	Payment Processing Fee	Total Payment Amount
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, less than 1 year	21,000 yen	330 yen	21,330 yen
1 year	27,000 yen	330 yen	27,330 yen
Over 1 year, less than 3 years	42,000 yen	330 yen	42,330 yen
3 years or more, less than 5 years	56,000 yen	550 yen	56,550 yen
5 years or more	65,000 yen	550 yen	65,550 yen

Even with the payment processing fee included, for example, a 1-year extension costs 33,000 yen at the counter compared to 27,330 yen online, so the fact that online applications are cheaper remains unchanged. However, when settling expenses internally, the billed amount will not exactly match the figures on the fee schedule. This point will be relevant for practical accounting procedures.

The payment processing fee is stated to be the same for both convenience store payments and bank transfers.

4-1. Payment Processing Fees Also Apply to Procedures Where the Application Fee Amount Does Not Change

For the following procedures, the amount of the Application Fee itself will not be revised. However, in the case of online applications, a payment processing fee will still be added.

Content of Permission	Application Fee	Payment Processing Fee	Total Payment Amount
Re-entry Permit (single)	3,500 yen	220 yen	3,720 yen
Re-entry Permit (multiple)	6,500 yen	220 yen	6,720 yen
Issuance of Certificate of Authorization for Employment	1,600 yen	220 yen	1,820 yen

When individuals who have changed jobs receive a Certificate of Authorization for Employment, or when they obtain a Re-entry Permit in preparation for a long temporary return to their home country, there will be no revision to the amount. The understanding that “all immigration fees will increase” is not accurate, so please be careful when preparing internal announcements.

5. Payment Methods Will Fundamentally Change (Revenue Stamps Cannot Be Used for Online Applications)

Along with the revision of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control Act, the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act has also been revised, stipulating that Application Fees for applications received through the Status of Residence online system will be paid by entrusting the payment to a service provider designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.

5-1. For Online Applications

• Payment methods are convenience store payment or bank transfer.
• Payment by Revenue Stamp is not possible.
• Credit card payments and QR code payments are not supported.
• If you use internet banking for bank transfers, you can make cashless payments.
• Some convenience stores are said not to support this.
• Whether you receive the results by mail or at the counter, both will be via convenience store payment or bank transfer.
• The payment amount will be stated in a separate email with a payment link sent after the review completion email. The recipient is the email address registered when user information was registered.

5-2. For Counter Applications

• Payment will be made by Revenue Stamp as before.
• Since the fee amount varies depending on the Period of Stay, the required denominations of Revenue Stamps will differ.
• As stores and convenience stores located within regional Immigration Services Agency offices have limited stock of Revenue Stamps, the Immigration Services Agency urges applicants to purchase Revenue Stamps for the amount stated on the postcard sent to them at larger post offices or similar establishments in advance before visiting the office to receive their results.
• Revenue Stamps can only be purchased with cash.
• When purchasing, cooperation is requested to ensure the combination results in the minimum number of stamps.

The timing for knowing the payment amount is a postcard received after the review is completed for counter applications, and a payment guidance email after the review completion email for online applications. In both cases, the final amount is not determined at the time of application.

6. Beware of Scam Emails Requesting Payment of Fees

The Immigration Services Agency has issued a warning about scam emails in conjunction with this change in payment methods.

This is a new risk that has emerged with the system change. Previously, Revenue Stamps were affixed at the counter, so there was no instance of “receiving an email from immigration requesting payment.” As “immigration fee payment emails” have legitimately existed since October, schemes impersonating them are anticipated.

• Check the sender’s email address by the address itself, not just the display name.
• If you have even the slightest suspicion, do not use the link in the email; instead, log in to the online Status of Residence application system yourself to confirm.
• If your company handles online applications on behalf of others, share this warning internally.

7. Cases Where Fees Are Reduced or Waived

Article 67, Paragraph 3 of the revised Immigration Control Act stipulates that if a person applying for a Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, or Permanent Residency is deemed appropriate for a fee reduction or waiver due to economic hardship or other special reasons, as prescribed by Cabinet Order, the fee may be reduced or waived.

7-1. Reduced Fee Amounts

Type of Permission	Reduced Fee
Permission for Change of Status of Residence	10,000 yen
Permission for Extension of Period of Stay	10,000 yen
Permanent Residency	20,000 yen

For changes and extensions, if the applicant is eligible for a reduction and is granted a Period of Stay exceeding three months, the fee can be reduced to 10,000 yen (the fee for periods of three months or less is originally 10,000 yen).

7-2. Both of the Two Requirements Must Be Met to Be Eligible

This is a point that is often misunderstood. Those who may be eligible for a reduction are individuals who meet both ① and ② below.

The Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A clearly states, “Meeting only one of these criteria does not make one eligible for a reduction.” Being in financial difficulty alone does not qualify one, nor does merely requiring humanitarian consideration.

The “Guideline for Fee Reduction Eligibility for Permission for Change of Status of Residence or Extension of Period of Stay” published in August 2026, outlines 4 categories for ① and 12 categories for ②. Category ① includes those receiving protection equivalent to the Public Assistance Act, refugee status applicants receiving protection benefits, and those receiving support benefits for Japanese orphans remaining in China, among others. Category ② includes those recognized as refugees or complementary protection beneficiaries, victims of human trafficking, those residing in child welfare facilities, patients with designated intractable diseases or special disabilities and their caregivers, and those solely caring for and raising biological children of Japanese Nationals or Special Permanent Residents, among others.

Each category comes with detailed limitations and exclusions, and eligibility is said to be individually determined based on asset status, Status of Residence, and other factors. Please check the full text of the guideline or consult us to see if you may be eligible.

7-3. Points to Note When Requesting a Fee Reduction

• Eligibility for a reduction in Permanent Residency Application fees is limited to the Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident.
• The online application system for Status of Residence does not support fee reduction measures. If you wish to request a reduction by submitting supporting documents, you must apply at the counter. Please consider that online application discounts and fee reduction measures cannot be used simultaneously.
• The supporting documents for fee reduction have since been published for each applicable category on the Immigration Services Agency’s dedicated page (confirmed September 2026). For the list, see Immigration Fee Reduction: Required Documents and Counter-Only Filing.
• It is stated that those who receive a Specific Residence Card upon permission may have the Specific Residence Card issuance fee added to the reduced amount.

7-4. Those Who Are Exempted

Those who fall under any of the following categories may be exempted from the fee.

• Those who receive a change to the Diplomat or Official Status of Residence.
• Those who reside under the Official Status of Residence and receive an Extension of Period of Stay.
• Those who receive a change to Designated Activities, and whose activities are specifically designated as staff of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s office in Japan (or a family member belonging to the same household), or as staff of the Palestine General Delegation in Japan (or a family member belonging to the same household).
• Those who reside under the Designated Activities Status of Residence with the above activities specifically designated, and who receive an Extension of Period of Stay.

8. What Foreign Nationals Should Confirm Now

1. Check the expiration date of your Residence Card. When the expiration date is will determine whether you can apply in September.
2. Consider how many years of Period of Stay you desire for your next extension. The fee is determined by the Period of Stay granted. However, the Period of Stay is decided by the Immigration Services Agency and may not always be as desired.
3. Decide whether to apply at the counter or online. Online applications have a lower fee, but a payment processing fee is added. If you wish to use the fee reduction measure, you must apply at the counter.
4. If applying after October, confirm the payment method. For online applications, it’s convenience store payment or bank transfer; for counter applications, it’s Revenue Stamp (cash purchase only).
5. Estimate for family members collectively. Each family member incurs a fee, and if their Periods of Stay differ, the amounts will also vary individually.
6. Be cautious of emails requesting fee payments. Official emails come from only two sender domains: @service-dgft.com and @veritrans.jp.

9. What HR Professionals at Companies Should Confirm Now

Companies employing foreign nationals will need to review internal rules due to changes in fee levels.

• Review of annual budget. Renewal fees, which were around 6,000 yen per person, will become tens of thousands of yen depending on the Period of Stay. Please list the Period of Stay and expiration dates for foreign employees and calculate the necessary amount for the next fiscal year and beyond.
• Clearly define rules for cost bearing. As the amount increases, discrepancies in understanding whether the company or the individual bears the cost can lead to problems. We recommend documenting the policy on cost bearing in your employment regulations, employment contracts, and new employee orientation materials.
• Preparation for accounting procedures. Since payment processing fees are added for online applications, the billed amount will not match the amount on the fee schedule. Please confirm the format for reimbursement and the handling of account titles in advance.

Review the purchase flow for Revenue Stamps. If you continue with counter applications, the number of denominations required will increase. The fact that they can only be purchased with cash will also affect internal advance payment and temporary payment operations.

Standardize application timing. If employees with approaching Period of Stay expirations are concentrated, applications will be concentrated in September, leading to an uneven administrative burden. Please create an application plan calculated backward from the expiration date early.

Share internal warnings about scam emails. If applications are managed using a company email address, it is safer to share this information not only with the person in charge but also with their superiors.

10. Why are Fees being raised?

The Immigration Services Agency explains that it has raised the maximum amount because it was deemed necessary to ask foreign nationals residing in Japan to bear a reasonable share of the costs required for further strengthening and expanding measures related to residence management. The increased revenue will be allocated to promoting DX in immigration and residence management administration, protection and support for refugees, etc., measures against illegal overstayers, as well as considering the establishment of learning programs for Japanese language and Japanese systems/rules, and strengthening information dissemination and consultation systems, among other things.

It should be noted that the maximum amount referred to here is a framework stipulated by law, and the amount actually paid is stipulated by Cabinet Order (the revised Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control Act). The fee schedule in this article refers to the latter, i.e., the amount actually paid.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. I applied in September, and permission was granted in November. How much is the Fee?
A. It is the amount before the revision. The standard is the date the application was accepted, not the date of permission.

Q2. If I don’t know how many years my Period of Stay will be, I won’t know the amount either?
A. That is correct. The amount is determined by the category of the Period of Stay granted. The actual payment amount can be confirmed via a postcard received after the review is completed for counter applications, or via a payment guidance email after the review is completed for online applications.

Q3. Is online application cheaper?
A. Even including payment processing fees, online applications are lower within the range of the published fee schedule. However, if you wish to utilize a reduction measure, a counter application is required. The advantages and disadvantages vary depending on your circumstances.

Q4. Can I pay by credit card?
A. Payment methods for online applications are convenience store payment or bank transfer, and credit card payment or QR code payment are not supported.

Q5. Will the Fees for Re-entry Permits and Certificates of Authorization for Employment also increase?
A. The amounts for these Fees will not change. However, for online applications, a payment processing fee of 220 yen will be added.

Q6. I am facing financial hardship; can I get a reduction?
A. Those who may be eligible for a reduction are individuals who are recognized as being in distress to a degree equivalent to those requiring protection under the Public Assistance Act, and for whom humanitarian consideration is deemed necessary. Economic circumstances alone do not qualify one for eligibility. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis, so please check the Guideline and consult with us.

Q7. What documents should I submit if I request a reduction?
A. Supporting documents are specified for each applicable category (under the guidelines) and have been published on the Immigration Services Agency’s dedicated page (confirmed September 2026). For some categories, the documents are listed as “none.” For details, see Immigration Fee Reduction: Required Documents and Counter-Only Filing.

12. Summary

From October 1, 2026, Fees for permission for Change of Status of Residence, permission for Extension of Period of Stay, and Permanent Residency were revised. The amount varies depending on the Period of Stay granted, with extensions up to 75,000 yen and Permanent Residency at 200,000 yen. Applications accepted by September 30, 2026, will be subject to the pre-revision amount, and the standard is the application date, not the permission date.

Payment methods will also change. Online applications cannot use Revenue Stamps and will be unified to convenience store payment or bank transfer, with a separate payment processing fee. Counter applications will continue to use Revenue Stamps, but the number of required denominations will increase, and they can only be purchased with cash. Additionally, warnings about scam emails requesting Fee payments have been issued.

The increase in fees means that the impact of a single denial or re-application also increases. If you have any questions regarding calculating backward from the Period of Stay expiration, the accuracy of required documents, or the choice between extension or change, please consult us early. Regarding the requirements for Permanent Residency itself, please also refer to “Requirements and Necessary Documents for Permanent Residency.”

---

Separately, for those affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, the Immigration Services Agency published a notice on fees on September 7, 2026. Even though expiration dates have been extended to January 27, 2027, the dividing line for fees remains September 30 — explained in Immigration Services Fee for Disaster Victims | September 30 is the Turning Point.

This article is written based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Details of the system and its implementation period 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 Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture