Japan Implements Significant Increase in Visa Renewal and Permanent Residency Fees Starting Thursday

October 1, Kathmandu – Japan has announced a substantial hike in fees for visa renewal and permanent residency (PR) applications, effective from Thursday. The new fees have been set by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency in accordance with amendments to the Immigration Control Act passed in May this year. Going forward, the fees for visa renewal and change of residency status will be determined based on the duration of stay, with shorter durations incurring lower fees and longer durations carrying significantly higher charges.

Under the new regulations, the maximum fee for visa renewal is set at 75,000 yen, while the maximum application fee for permanent residency will be 200,000 yen. This represents a sharp rise compared to the previous fees of 6,000 yen and 10,000 yen, respectively. The detailed fee structure is as follows: up to 3 months – 10,000 yen; 3 to 6 months – 18,000 yen; 6 months to 1 year – 25,000 yen; 1 year – 33,000 yen; 1 to 3 years – 48,000 yen; 3 to 5 years – 64,000 yen; and 5 years or more – 75,000 yen.

The latest revision also introduces the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), targeting visa-exempt travelers from 74 countries and regions. JESTA is planned for implementation by fiscal year 2028 and seeks to prevent terrorism and illegal employment. Under this system, travelers must provide information such as their name, purpose of visit, and destination online several days before departure. The data will be cross-checked against criminal records and other databases. If there is suspicion that a traveler might overstay their visa-free period, they could be denied boarding on planes or ships.

By the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached approximately 4.13 million, marking the highest recorded figure to date.