Japan has significantly increased the cost for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, raising the fee 20-fold to 200,000 yen (approximately $1,270 or £955). The hike is part of broader immigration policy changes introduced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration to manage the country’s rapidly growing foreign population.
Alongside the financial increase, new eligibility criteria have been implemented, including mandatory income levels, pension contributions, and Japanese-language proficiency. Long lines formed outside immigration offices earlier this week as applicants attempted to submit their paperwork before the new regulations took effect. Tokyo’s main immigration bureau reported wait times exceeding seven hours.
This move follows a five-fold increase in general visa fees enacted in July, which authorities described as a necessary adjustment to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. It marks the first such visa fee hike in five decades. Despite these restrictive measures, Japan continues to rely on foreign labor to address shortages caused by its aging demographic. By the end of 2025, the foreign resident population reached a record 4.12 million, reflecting a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
Prime Minister Takaichi addressed public sentiment regarding the changes, acknowledging concerns about fairness in an October post on X. She stated that the government aims to ensure orderly policies so that both Japanese citizens and foreign residents can live safely and securely.
Beyond permanent residency, fees for changing or extending residency status have also risen. Effective October 1, costs range from 10,000 yen for stays of three months or less to 75,000 yen for five years or more. Discounts remain available for those facing financial hardship or recognized refugees.
Under the new rules, aspiring permanent residents must demonstrate a stable income at or above the national average, which stood at 5.75 million yen in 2024. Additionally, expected pension benefits must equal those of someone enrolled in the employee pension system for 30 years, though applicants may offset shortfalls with financial assets.
Micaiah Michaela-Spence, a 37-year-old who has worked in Tokyo for a decade, was unable to complete his application before the deadline. He expressed frustration, stating that the measures felt like foreigners were being used conveniently. “We’re being asked to make more than the average Japanese person, pay a significantly higher fee, just to be able to work in Japan and provide taxes,” he told the BBC, adding that the barriers do not appear strategically planned for the long term.
Looking ahead, permanent residency applicants will face even stricter requirements starting in April, including basic Japanese language proficiency. This announcement has already triggered a surge in enrollments at language schools and among those preparing for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.
Finally, some standards. If you want to live here permanently, you should at least speak the language and earn a decent wage.
It is wildly hypocritical to demand high incomes and perfect Japanese while relying on foreign workers to keep the economy running.
I didn’t realize the jump was that extreme. Seven-hour lines are shocking though. Does this actually solve the labor shortage?
Twenty times the fee? That is absolutely absurd. It feels like they want people to leave rather than stay.