Japan raises permanent residency fees twentyfold and tightens requirements

permanent residency immigration policy visa fees Sanae Takaichi foreign residents

Japan has implemented significant changes to its immigration policy, marked by a twentyfold increase in permanent residency application fees. Effective October 1, 2026, the fee rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. This surge triggered long queues at immigration offices, with waiting times in Tokyo exceeding seven hours as residents attempted to file before the hike.

Under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the government is also tightening eligibility requirements. New guidelines require applicants to demonstrate an annual income above the Japanese household average and show pension contribution levels equivalent to 30 years of employment. Additionally, starting in April 2027, applicants must demonstrate Japanese language proficiency at a B1 level or higher.

These measures are part of a broader effort to manage the growing foreign population, which reached 4.12 million at the end of last year, a 9.5 percent increase. The government stated the changes aim to ensure that foreign residents can live stably without becoming a burden on society. The policy shifts follow previous increases in tourist visa fees in July.

Entities

Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Japan · Japan Immigration Services Agency · Liberal Democratic Party · Sanae Takaichi · Sanae Takaiichi · Tokyo

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The number of foreign residents in Japan exceeded 4.12 million at the end of last year, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. www.echo24.cz · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.newsbomb.gr · kaigai.ch · www.que.es
[● 4 SOURCES] Waiting times at major immigration offices in Tokyo exceeded seven hours as people rushed to apply before the fee increase. kaigai.ch · www.echo24.cz · world-today-journal.com · www.que.es
[● 2 SOURCES] Fees may be reduced or waived for individuals in financial hardship or those with recognized refugee status. de-rt.com · www.echo24.cz
[DISPUTED] Japan increased visa fees for foreigners by five times in July. kaigai.ch · de-rt.com · diario.mx · vanguardia.com.mx
[DISPUTED] The fee for permanent residency applications increased from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen effective October 1. kaigai.ch · de-rt.com · www.echo24.cz · world-today-journal.com · diario.mx · +6 more
[● 12 SOURCES] New permanent residency guidelines will include requirements for income, pension contributions, and Japanese language proficiency. kaigai.ch · de-rt.com · www.echo24.cz · world-today-journal.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +7 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Starting April 2027, applicants must demonstrate Japanese language proficiency at level B1 or higher. de-rt.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.echo24.cz · mundo-nipo.com.br · www.newsbomb.gr · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The fee increase is intended to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. kaigai.ch