In brief
Japan has lifted the fee for foreigners seeking permanent residency twenty‑times to ¥200,000, as part of a broader effort to curb the rapid rise in foreign residents. New rules now mandate that applicants earn at least the national average income, meet pension criteria and demonstrate Japanese language proficiency at a minimum level. Long queues at immigration offices highlighted the public reaction, with many queuing for hours to submit paperwork before the changes take effect. The policy shift, announced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, follows a previous 5‑fold hike in visa fees and reflects concerns about demographic changes and social integration. Critics argue the measures place undue burdens on foreign residents and may discourage skilled workers from locating in Japan.
Japan hikes the fee for foreigners seeking permanent residency to ¥200,000, a twenty‑fold rise from the previous rate.
Applicants must also satisfy new income, pension and Japanese‑language requirements that were not previously in place.
Queue lines at immigration offices were reported to exceed seven hours, as many rushed to take advantage of the older, lower fee before the change took effect.
The fee hike is part of a package of immigration reforms announced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aimed at managing Japan’s rapidly growing foreign population.
Previously in July, Japan already raised visa fees five‑fold—a first such increase in half a century—to match inflation and currency fluctuations.
Japan’s demographic challenges mean a growing reliance on foreign workers to fill labour shortages, but the government stresses that new policies will keep immigration orderly and secure for both citizens and residents.
Takaichi acknowledged that some members of the public might feel uneasy about the new fees, noting that the policy intends to balance opportunity with fairness.
Before the hike, each change of status or extension of stay cost non‑permanent residents ¥6,000; from 1 October, fees will vary with the duration of stay, from ¥10,000 for up to three months to ¥75,000 for five years or more.
Exemptions for those facing financial hardship or designated refugees will be granted.
Permanent residency applicants must now earn at least the national average income, which was reported at ¥5.75 million in July 2024.
The policy will go further in April next year, adding a requirement for basic Japanese language proficiency and a pension contribution equivalent to a 30‑year employment record.
These changes have boosted enrolment in Japanese language schools and the Japanese‑Language Proficiency Test, as applicants prepare to meet the new criteria.
