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Japan raises residency fees and tightens immigration requirements
Japan has implemented significant increases in fees and stricter requirements for foreign nationals seeking residency. Most notably, the cost for permanent residency has risen twenty-fold, from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen ($1,268).
Other residency permit fees have also been restructured into seven different tiers based on the duration of stay, ranging from 10,000 yen for stays up to three months to 75,000 yen for stays of five years or more. To qualify for permanent residency under the new rules, applicants must now meet specific thresholds regarding annual income, pension contributions, and Japanese language proficiency.
These changes are part of a broader immigration policy overhaul led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to ensure an “orderly coexistence” as the foreign resident population reaches record levels. The government stated the fee hikes are intended to cover the costs of processing applications, digitalizing procedures, and managing irregular stays.
Additionally, stricter requirements for the “Business Manager” residency status have contributed to a decline in new foreign-led companies. Data from Teikoku Databank indicates that new companies established by foreigners fell by 52% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, following an increase in required capital from 5 million to 30 million yen.
Entities
Immigration Services Agency · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Japan · Sanae Takaichi · Teikoku Databank
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Immigration Services Agency justified the fee increases by citing the costs of processing applications and managing foreign entry and residence. montecristinoticias.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Permanent residency application fees have increased from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. montecristinoticias.com · eluniverso.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Increased revenue will fund measures such as strengthening the fight against irregular stay, digitalization of procedures, and integration programs. montecristinoticias.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] New permanent residency requirements include demonstrating annual income above the average and informal Japanese language proficiency. eluniverso.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fees for changing residence status or extending stays now vary based on the authorized period, ranging from 10,000 to 75,000 yen. montecristinoticias.com