Japan: permanent residence becomes far more expensive

Since 1 October, Japan has charged 200,000 yen for a permanent residence application, compared with 10,000 yen previously, which is 20 times more. Before the change came into force, queues formed outside immigration offices, with the main Tokyo office reporting waits of more than 7 heures.

Extensions of stay and changes of status, previously charged at a flat rate of 6,000 yen, now depend on the length of stay requested: from 10,000 yen for 3 mois or less up to 75,000 yen for 5 ans or more. Reductions remain possible for recognised refugees and people in financial difficulty.

Applicants must also meet tougher criteria on income, pension and Japanese language. According to the source, the household's stable income must reach at least the national average, i.e. 5,75 millions of yen.

As for the pension, the expected benefits must be equivalent to 30 ans of contributions to the employees' scheme. The language requirements are due to become stricter still by April.

This reform is part of a series of immigration measures by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who wants to gain better control over the rapid growth of the foreign population. Visa fees in general had already been multiplied by 5 in July.

At the end of 2025, Japan had a record 4,12 millions of foreign residents, up 9,5 % over one year. The Prime Minister considers that an orderly policy is necessary for social stability, as the country relies more and more on foreign labour.

The text does not say whether applications already filed before 1 October are subject to the new fees or the new requirements. Nor does it indicate the level of Japanese required, or how the pension equivalence is assessed. Those concerned will need to check these points with the Japanese authorities.