Latest Information | October 8, 2026
Following our previous article published on September 11, 2026, IMS Legal Professional Corporation is providing an updated guide to Japan's immigration fee revisions, which took effect on October 1, 2026.
The new fee structure is now in effect. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) has also published detailed guidance on the revised fees, online payment procedures, transitional arrangements, and fee reductions or exemptions.
This update explains the practical implications for foreign nationals and companies applying for extensions of period of stay, changes of status of residence, and permanent residency in Japan.
Key Updates – October 2026
- Permanent residence permission fee increased from JPY 10,000 to JPY 200,000.
- Visa renewal and status change fees now depend on the period of stay granted.
- Different government fees apply to counter and online applications.
- Online applications are subject to additional payment processing fees.
- Applications accepted before October 1, 2026 remain subject to the former fees.
- New online payment procedures and limited fee-reduction measures are in effect.
Previous IMS article: Immigration Fees Have Been Revised! – When and How to Pay the New Fees (September 11, 2026)
1. New Immigration Fees Effective October 1, 2026
Under the revised system, government fees for an extension of period of stay or a change of status of residence are determined by the period of stay granted.
The following table compares the new fees for applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026.
| Period of Stay Granted | Counter Application | Online Government Fee | Online Total Including Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | JPY 10,000 | JPY 10,000 | JPY 10,330 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | JPY 18,000 | JPY 15,000 | JPY 15,330 |
| More than 6 months, less than 1 year | JPY 25,000 | JPY 21,000 | JPY 21,330 |
| 1 year | JPY 33,000 | JPY 27,000 | JPY 27,330 |
| More than 1 year, less than 3 years | JPY 48,000 | JPY 42,000 | JPY 42,330 |
| 3 years to less than 5 years | JPY 64,000 | JPY 56,000 | JPY 56,550 |
| 5 years or more | JPY 75,000 | JPY 65,000 | JPY 65,550 |
The online totals include the designated payment processor's fee. The table covers ordinary extension and change-of-status permission fees. Special reductions or exemptions may apply in qualifying cases.
Official fee schedule: Immigration Services Agency – Immigration Fee Revision Effective October 1, 2026
2. Permanent Residence Permission Fee: JPY 200,000
One of the most significant changes is the increase in the government fee for permanent residence permission.
| Application Acceptance Date | Government PR Permission Fee |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2026 or earlier | JPY 10,000 |
| October 1, 2026 or later | JPY 200,000 |
Important: The applicable fee is determined by the application acceptance date, not simply by the date on which permanent residency is approved.
For example, if your permanent residence application was accepted in September 2026 but is approved in 2027, the former JPY 10,000 fee applies.
Permanent residence applications are currently handled through the designated in-person procedure. The government fee is paid using Japanese revenue stamps when permission is granted.
The government permission fee is separate from professional service fees charged by immigration specialists.
Official reference: Immigration Services Agency – Permanent Residence Application
3. Applications Submitted Before October 1, 2026: Transitional Rules
The revised fee schedule does not automatically apply to every application approved after October 1, 2026.
Applications accepted by Immigration on or before September 30, 2026 remain subject to the former fee schedule, even if permission is granted on or after October 1, 2026.
Under the former system, ordinary extension and change-of-status permission fees were:
- Counter application: JPY 6,000
- Online application: JPY 5,500
The former permanent residence permission fee was JPY 10,000.
Example: Visa Renewal Filed Before the Revision
A foreign employee submitted a work visa renewal application on September 25, 2026. Immigration grants a three-year period of stay in November 2026.
Because the application was accepted before October 1, the former fee applies.
Example: Visa Renewal Filed After the Revision
Another employee submitted a renewal application at an Immigration office on October 5, 2026. Immigration grants a three-year period of stay.
The revised counter fee of JPY 64,000 applies, unless the applicant qualifies for a special reduction or exemption.
For online applications accepted before October 1, 2026, the former revenue-stamp payment procedure continues to apply, even if the application is approved after the revision.
4. When Are Immigration Fees Paid?
For the extension, change-of-status, and permanent residence procedures covered by this update, government permission fees are generally paid when permission is granted, rather than when the application is first submitted.
The process is generally as follows:
- Submit the immigration application.
- Immigration examines the application and supporting documents.
- Immigration issues a decision.
- If permission is granted, pay the applicable government fee.
- Complete the required collection or permission procedures.
If the requested permission is refused, the corresponding permission fee is generally not charged.
However, if Immigration grants a different permission, such as Designated Activities for departure preparation, a separate fee may be payable for the permission actually granted.
Professional service fees and other application-related expenses are separate from government permission fees.
5. How to Pay for Counter Applications
For applications submitted at an Immigration office counter, government permission fees continue to be paid using Japanese revenue stamps (収入印紙 / shunyu inshi).
After receiving the result notification, applicants should:
- Confirm the amount stated in the official notification.
- Purchase Japanese revenue stamps for the required amount.
- Attach the stamps to the designated fee payment form.
- Bring the necessary documents to the Immigration office.
- Complete the result-collection procedure.
The Immigration Services Agency recommends purchasing revenue stamps in advance at a large post office because nearby shops may not have sufficient denominations available.
Revenue stamps must be purchased with cash. They are different from ordinary postage stamps.
Official reference: Immigration Services Agency – Counter Payment Guidance
6. New Payment Procedures for Online Applications
For eligible residence applications accepted online on or after October 1, 2026, payment is made through a payment service provider designated by the Immigration Services Agency.
Revenue stamps are no longer used for these new online applications.
The available payment methods include:
- Payment at participating convenience stores;
- Bank payment through supported ATMs using Pay-easy; and
- Internet banking through participating financial institutions.
Credit card payments and QR-code payment services are not supported.
Online Payment Process
- Submit the application through the online residence application system.
- Wait for Immigration to complete its examination.
- Receive an examination-completion notification.
- Receive a separate email containing payment instructions.
- Complete payment using the designated service.
- Retain the payment confirmation.
- Follow the instructions for receiving the new residence card or other permission document.
Applicants should generally complete payment by the day before collecting their residence card or other result to avoid delays.
Each application requires a separate payment. Payments for multiple family members or employees cannot be combined into a single transaction.
Official reference: Immigration Services Agency – Online Application Fees and Payment Methods
7. Online Payment Processing Fees
Online applications are subject to additional payment processing fees.
For extensions of period of stay and changes of status:
- Periods shorter than three years: JPY 330
- Periods of three years or longer: JPY 550
These charges apply to the designated convenience store and bank payment methods.
Example: One-Year Visa Renewal
- Online government fee: JPY 27,000
- Payment processing fee: JPY 330
- Total: JPY 27,330
Example: Five-Year Visa Renewal
- Online government fee: JPY 65,000
- Payment processing fee: JPY 550
- Total: JPY 65,550
The online totals in the comparison table already include these processing fees.
8. Important Warning: Fraudulent Payment Emails
The Immigration Services Agency has issued a warning about fraudulent emails requesting payment of immigration fees.
Under the designated online payment system:
- Payment instruction emails containing the payment link are sent from addresses ending in @service-dgft.com.
- Payment-method selection and payment-completion emails are sent from addresses ending in @veritrans.jp.
Applicants should not follow payment links in unexpected emails from other domains.
Before making a payment, confirm that the message relates to your application and matches the official payment instructions.
If there is any doubt, verify the procedure using the Immigration Services Agency's official website.
Official reference: Immigration Services Agency – Online Payment and Fraud Prevention
9. Fee Reductions and Exemptions
The revised system also provides fee reductions or exemptions for certain applicants who meet the applicable conditions.
These measures are limited and are not automatically available to all foreign nationals.
Depending on the relevant requirements, reduced government fees may include:
- JPY 10,000 for qualifying extensions or changes of status of residence;
- JPY 20,000 for qualifying permanent residence permissions.
Eligibility depends on the applicant's individual circumstances and the applicable official criteria.
Important: Applicants seeking the special fee-reduction measure must follow the designated counter application procedure. The online residence application system does not support requests for this reduction.
Applicants should confirm the latest official requirements and supporting documents before applying.
Official reference: Immigration Services Agency – Fee Reductions and Exemptions
10. Are Online Applications Cheaper?
Online applications generally have lower government fees than counter applications for many extensions and changes of status.
However, the total cost depends on the period of stay granted and the additional processing fee.
Three-Year Extension
- Counter application: JPY 64,000
- Online application, including processing: JPY 56,550
- Difference: JPY 7,450
Five-Year Extension
- Counter application: JPY 75,000
- Online application, including processing: JPY 65,550
- Difference: JPY 9,450
However, online filing is not available for every immigration procedure.
For periods of stay of three months or less, the online total of JPY 10,330 is slightly higher than the ordinary counter fee of JPY 10,000.
Applicants should therefore select the appropriate filing method based on the available procedures, eligibility for reductions, and their individual circumstances.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I have to pay JPY 200,000 if I applied for permanent residency before October 1, 2026?
No. If Immigration accepted your PR application by September 30, 2026, the former JPY 10,000 government permission fee applies even if approval is granted after October 1.
Q2. How much does it cost to renew a Japan work visa in 2026?
For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the period of stay granted and the filing method. For example, a one-year extension costs JPY 33,000 at an Immigration office or JPY 27,330 online, including the processing fee.
Q3. When do I pay the immigration fee?
For the permission procedures discussed here, the government fee is generally paid when permission is granted.
Q4. Do I need to pay if my application is rejected?
Generally, no fee is charged for the permission that was refused. However, a fee may apply if Immigration grants a different status or permission instead.
Q5. Can I pay immigration fees by credit card?
No. The new online payment service supports designated convenience store and bank payments, but not credit cards or QR-code payments.
Q6. Can I still use revenue stamps for online applications?
Not for online applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026. Online applications accepted by September 30, 2026 remain subject to the former payment arrangements.
Q7. Can immigration fees be reduced or waived?
Special measures are available for certain eligible applicants. The criteria are limited, and applicants seeking the special reduction must use the designated counter procedure.
Q8. Are professional service fees included in the government fees?
No. Government immigration fees are separate from professional fees charged by immigration specialists or other representatives.
12. Immigration Support from IMS Legal Professional Corporation
The revised fee system represents a substantial increase in the cost of certain immigration procedures, particularly permanent residence applications and longer-term extensions of stay.
Foreign nationals and employers should review the applicable government fees and ensure that applications are prepared with the required supporting documentation.
IMS Legal Professional Corporation assists individuals and companies with:
- Extensions of period of stay;
- Changes of status of residence;
- Permanent residence applications;
- Highly Skilled Professional applications; and
- Corporate immigration procedures.
If you have questions about an upcoming immigration application, please contact IMS for professional assistance.
Contact IMS Legal Professional Corporation
Related IMS Information
- Previous Article: Immigration Fees Have Been Revised! – September 11, 2026
- Permanent Residence FAQ
- Work Visa FAQ
- Highly Skilled Professional and Business Manager FAQ
- IMS English Immigration Articles
Official References
- Immigration Services Agency – October 2026 Immigration Fee Revision
- Online Application Fees and Payment Methods
- Online Residence Application Q&A
- Permanent Residence Application
- Fee Reductions and Exemptions
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on published Immigration Services Agency guidance as of October 8, 2026. Individual fees, payment requirements, reductions, and administrative procedures may vary. Government rules and procedures may change. Please confirm the latest official information or consult a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances.
