Japan Visa Fees Rising 500%-900% in FY2026: Full Cost Breakdown for Every Visa Type (在留資格手数料値上げ)

By Yamada · Chiba, Japan · May 2026

If you live in Japan with a visa, your wallet is about to feel pain. The Japanese government has confirmed that visa fees will rise 5 to 9 times higher in fiscal year 2026 (FY2026). For some visas, the fee jumps from ¥10,000 to as much as ¥300,000.

This is the biggest visa fee change in Japan's history. Whether you are a worker, student, business owner, or family member, this affects you.

In this guide, I will explain everything in simple English:

• Why the fees are going up
• The new fees for every visa type
• When the new fees start
• How to save money before the change
• A real example for engineers, students, families, and PR applicants

Let's go.

Table of Contents

1. Why Japan is Raising Visa Fees

Japan has more foreign residents than ever. As of late 2025, there were over 3.7 million foreigners living in Japan. This is a record high.

The government says fees have not changed for many years, and Japan's fees are much lower than other countries like the USA, UK, or Australia. For example, a US green card costs over $1,200. A Japan PR card costs only ¥10,000 today.

So the government decided to "match international standards." The fee bill was approved in March 2026. The actual amounts will be set by Cabinet Order, but the legal cap (limit) is now much higher.

2. Old vs New Fees: Side-by-Side Table

Here is the full picture. These are the legal maximum caps approved by the Diet (国会). The actual fee will be set by Cabinet Order, but the government has signaled fees will be near the new caps.

Important: The government plans to charge proportionally. A 5-year visa renewal will cost more than a 1-year one. Most reports say the renewal fee will land between ¥30,000 and ¥40,000 for standard cases.

3. Permanent Residence (永住権): The Biggest Jump

If you are working toward PR, this is the most painful change.

• Old fee: ¥10,000
• New fee: Up to ¥300,000 (legal cap)
• Expected actual fee: ¥100,000 - ¥200,000

The government says PR is a "premium status" that costs the country money to process (background checks, tax records, pension checks). Other countries charge much more, so Japan is "catching up."

Real cost of getting PR in 2027:

• Application fee: ~¥100,000 - ¥200,000
• Document fees (tax certificates, pension records, etc.): ~¥5,000
• Translation fees: ~¥10,000 - ¥30,000
• Lawyer/scrivener (gyoseishoshi) fee: ¥100,000 - ¥300,000 (optional)

Total: Can easily reach ¥500,000 if you use a scrivener.

4. Engineer / Humanities Visa (技・人・国)

This is the most common work visa. Most IT workers, English teachers, marketing staff, and office workers hold this visa.

• Old renewal fee: ¥4,000 (April 2025 → ¥6,000)
• New renewal fee: ~¥30,000 - ¥40,000

Example: If you have a 5-year visa renewal, you may pay ¥40,000 in one go. For a 1-year renewal, around ¥10,000 - ¥15,000.

Also new from April 15, 2026: Some applicants under Engineer/Humanities/International Services need to submit extra documents (when the employer is "category 3" or "category 4"). This applies especially to language-heavy jobs (interpretation, translation, client-facing roles).

5. Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 / SSW)

SSW workers (caregivers, construction, food service, etc.) are also affected.

• Old fee: ¥4,000 - ¥6,000
• New fee: ~¥20,000 - ¥30,000

Plus, the SSW Food Service visa was frozen in April 2026. So if you work in restaurants under SSW, please read our separate guide on the SSW Food Service Freeze.

6. Student Visa (留学)

Students renew their visa each year.

• Old fee: ¥4,000
• New fee: ~¥10,000 - ¥20,000

If you study in Japan for 2 years, you will pay this 2 times. If your university or language school helps with paperwork, ask if they cover it (some do).

7. Family / Dependent Visa (家族滞在)

Spouse and children of work visa holders.

• Old fee: ¥4,000 per person
• New fee: ~¥15,000 - ¥30,000 per person

If you have a wife and 2 kids, you go from ¥12,000 total to ~¥60,000 - ¥90,000 every renewal.

8. Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)

The Business Manager (経営・管理) visa already has tougher rules from 2026 (¥30 million capital, 1+ employee). Now the fee jumps too.

• Old fee: ¥6,000
• New fee: ~¥30,000 - ¥50,000

For our existing Business Manager guide, see the related link below.

9. When Does the New Fee Start?

The bill was passed by the Diet in March 2026. The actual start date is set by Cabinet Order (政令).

Most likely start date: Late 2026 or early 2027.

The Ministry of Justice said the new fees will start "in fiscal year 2026," which means before March 31, 2027.

My honest opinion (May 2026): I think the change will happen between October 2026 and January 2027. Apply for renewal or PR BEFORE that date if possible.

10. Yamada Hack: How to Save Money Before the Change

Here is my real strategy. I am sharing what I would do if I were applying right now.

Step 1: Check your visa expiry date.

• If your visa expires in 2026, renew NOW (apply 3 months early is allowed).
• If your visa is 5-year type, you are safe until 2030. No rush.

Step 2: If you qualify for PR, apply NOW.

• ¥10,000 today vs ¥200,000+ next year. Easy math.
• Even if you are "not sure," consult a free legal clinic (see Labor Rights Guide).

Step 3: Switch to longer visa when possible.

• 1-year visa → ¥30,000 fee, every year
• 5-year visa → maybe ¥40,000 fee, once every 5 years
• Total savings over 5 years: massive.

Step 4: If you have a Japanese spouse, apply for "Spouse of Japanese."

• This visa has its own renewal but is usually easier.

Step 5: Keep ALL your tax and pension receipts.

• New rules require 5 years of tax + 2 years of pension proof for citizenship.
• The same documents help PR applications.

11. Real Stories

Maria (Philippines, Caregiver, SSW Visa):

Maria came in 2022. Her SSW visa was ¥6,000 to renew. In 2027, she will pay ~¥25,000. She sends ¥40,000/month to her parents in Cebu. The fee is almost one full month of remittance. She decided to renew early in October 2026.

Rajesh (India, Engineer Visa):

Rajesh works for an IT firm in Tokyo. His visa expires October 2026. His company's HR usually pays the fee. The new ¥30,000-¥40,000 fee may be moved to him. He is asking his manager to put it in writing now.

Aung (Myanmar, Student → Engineer):

Aung is a 4th-year student. He plans to change to Engineer visa in February 2027 after graduation. He may catch the new ¥30,000+ fee instead of the old ¥6,000. He saved ¥30,000 extra in his Yucho account just in case.

Chen (China, Permanent Residence Applicant):

Chen has lived in Japan 12 years. He was waiting until 2027 to apply for PR. After hearing the new fee, he applied in April 2026 for ¥10,000. Smart move.

12. FAQ

Q1: Is the fee really 30 times higher?

For PR, yes. The legal cap went from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000. The actual fee may be lower than ¥300,000 but still far above ¥10,000.

Q2: When exactly does the new fee start?

The Cabinet Order has not been published yet (May 2026). Best guess: October 2026 to January 2027. Check the Ministry of Justice (法務省) website.

Q3: Do I pay the new fee if I apply before the change?

No. You pay the fee that exists on the day you apply. Apply early.

Q4: Will my company pay this?

Maybe. Many big Japanese companies pay visa renewal fees as a benefit. Small companies usually do not. Ask your HR in writing.

Q5: Does CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) also cost money now?

No. CoE is still free. Only the visa stamp and renewal fees changed.

Q6: Does this affect re-entry permits?

Yes. Single re-entry was ¥3,000, multiple was ¥6,000. Both will go up about 5x.

Q7: I am applying for citizenship. Does this affect me?

The naturalization fee is separate (currently ~¥0 to ¥15,000 for documents). But new rules from April 2026 require 10 years residence + 5 years tax proof + 2 years pension proof. See our Citizenship guide.

Q8: Can I appeal the new fee?

No. It is set by law.

Q9: I have a 5-year visa, when do I pay next?

At your next renewal. If that is after the change, you pay the new fee.

Q10: My company is "Category 4" - what does that mean?

"Category" is how Immigration grades your employer. Big stable companies = Category 1. New small companies = Category 4. Category 4 needs more documents (tax records, employment contracts, business plans, etc.) at every renewal.

13. Official References

• Ministry of Justice (法務省): https://www.moj.go.jp/
• Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/
• Cabinet Office Foreign Worker Policy: https://www.cao.go.jp/

Related EasyNihon Tools

• Visa Fee Calculator 2026 (coming soon)
• PR Eligibility Checker
• 28-Hour Visa Guardian (for students)
• Citizenship 10-Year Tracker
• Business Manager Visa Survival Guide

The Japanese government does not give discounts for "I did not know." Read your visa expiry date today. If it expires before March 2027, apply early. If you qualify for PR, do not wait. ¥10,000 today is a gift. ¥300,000 tomorrow is reality.

Stay safe, stay informed. ようこそ日本へ. (Welcome to Japan.)

— Yamada