New Residence Procedure Fees
from October 2026
Big fee changes from October 1, 2026
The fee for changing or renewing your status is no longer a flat 6,000 JPY. It now depends on the period of stay you are granted. The permanent residence fee rises from 10,000 JPY to 200,000 JPY.
※Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee, even if approved on or after October 1.
1Fees for change of status / extension of period of stay
| Period of stay granted | Counter | Online |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | 10,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 18,000 JPY | 15,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 25,000 JPY | 21,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 33,000 JPY | 27,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 48,000 JPY | 42,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 64,000 JPY | 56,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 75,000 JPY | 65,000 JPY |
※The amount is decided by the period of stay granted, not by what you apply for.
※If your application is denied, there is no fee for that application. However, if it is denied during the special period (after your status expired while under review), you usually change to "Designated Activities" to prepare for departure, and that change has a fee.
※Counter applications are paid with revenue stamps, as before.
※Online applications are paid only at a convenience store or by bank payment (no revenue stamps), plus a payment fee (330 or 550 JPY).
2Permanent residence fee
| Application method | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | 10,000 JPY | 200,000 JPY |
3Estimated total cost (government fee + professional fee)
Extension of period of stay
| Period of stay granted | Government fee | Total (simple renewal) Pro fee 30,000–60,000 | Total (complex renewal) Pro fee 80,000–150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | approx. 40,000–70,000 JPY | approx. 90,000–160,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 15,000 JPY–18,000 JPY | approx. 45,000–78,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–168,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 21,000 JPY–25,000 JPY | approx. 51,000–85,000 JPY | approx. 101,000–175,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 27,000 JPY–33,000 JPY | approx. 57,000–93,000 JPY | approx. 107,000–183,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 42,000 JPY–48,000 JPY | approx. 72,000–108,000 JPY | approx. 122,000–198,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 56,000 JPY–64,000 JPY | approx. 86,000–124,000 JPY | approx. 136,000–214,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 65,000 JPY–75,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–135,000 JPY | approx. 145,000–225,000 JPY |
Change of status
| Period of stay granted | Government fee | Total Pro fee 80,000–180,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | approx. 90,000–190,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 15,000 JPY–18,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–198,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 21,000 JPY–25,000 JPY | approx. 101,000–205,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 27,000 JPY–33,000 JPY | approx. 107,000–213,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 42,000 JPY–48,000 JPY | approx. 122,000–228,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 56,000 JPY–64,000 JPY | approx. 136,000–244,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 65,000 JPY–75,000 JPY | approx. 145,000–255,000 JPY |
Permanent residence
| Application method | Government fee | Total Pro fee 120,000–250,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | 200,000 JPY | approx. 320,000–450,000 JPY |
※Each range runs from "online application + lowest professional fee" to "counter application + highest professional fee". Translation, certificates and other costs are extra. Professional fees are typical market rates.
💡 Professional fees and other costs?
Typical professional fees and costs such as translation are explained in
"How Much Does a Visa Application Cost in Japan?"
"I want to ask a professional, but I don't know how much it will cost in total…"
Hello, I am Shizuka Wakabayashi, an immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi). From October 1, 2026, the fees for changing your status, renewing your period of stay, and permanent residence change a lot. This article explains the new fee table, important points, and estimated total costs when you use a professional.
1. Government fees (revised October 1, 2026)
Three key changes:
- Change/renewal: from a flat 6,000 JPY to an amount based on the period of stay granted
- Online applications cost 3,000–10,000 JPY less than counter applications
- Permanent residence: 10,000 JPY → 200,000 JPY (20 times)
Change of status / extension of period of stay
| Period of stay granted | Counter | Online |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | 10,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 18,000 JPY | 15,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 25,000 JPY | 21,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 33,000 JPY | 27,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 48,000 JPY | 42,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 64,000 JPY | 56,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 75,000 JPY | 65,000 JPY |
Permanent residence
| Application method | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | 10,000 JPY | 200,000 JPY |
※A Certificate of Eligibility (COE), used to invite someone from abroad, is the issuance of a certificate, not a "permission". It has no fee and is not part of this revision.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Fees for residence procedures will be revised from October 1, 2026"
[Transition rule] Applications received by September 30 pay the old fee
Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee (change/renewal 6,000 JPY / online 5,500 JPY; permanent residence 10,000 JPY), even if approved on or after October 1.
Important points
- The amount is not fixed until approval. If you hope for 3 years but are granted 1 year, you pay the 1-year fee. You pay every time you renew, so getting a longer period of stay matters more than ever.
- You pay when your application is approved. If it is denied before your status expires, there is no fee for that application.
- Be careful about denial during the special period. If you apply before your status expires, you can stay in Japan during the review for up to 2 months after the expiry date (the special period). If your application is denied during this period, you usually change to "Designated Activities" to prepare for departure, and that change of status has a fee. Because the preparation period is short, it is usually in the "3 months or less" category (10,000 JPY). Apply well before your expiry date to avoid this.
- Counter applications are paid with revenue stamps, as before. We recommend buying stamps for the amount written on your notification postcard at a large post office in advance. Shops inside immigration offices may run out, and stamps can only be bought with cash.
- Online applications cannot use revenue stamps. After the review, you receive a payment email and pay at a convenience store or by bank payment. A payment fee is added (330 JPY up to "under 3 years", 550 JPY for 3 years or more).
Fee reduction scheme
People in financial hardship close to the level of public assistance, or who need humanitarian consideration (for example, children placed in a child care facility), can have the fee reduced by submitting supporting documents.
Reduced amount: change/renewal 10,000 JPY / permanent residence 20,000 JPY.
※To receive a reduction, you must apply at the counter, not online.
2. Estimated total cost (government fee + professional fee)
Estimated totals combining the new government fees and typical professional fees, by procedure and period of stay. The fee depends on the period of stay granted, so estimates at the time of application need a range.
Extension of period of stay
| Period of stay granted | Government fee | Total (simple renewal) Pro fee 30,000–60,000 | Total (complex renewal) Pro fee 80,000–150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | approx. 40,000–70,000 JPY | approx. 90,000–160,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 15,000 JPY–18,000 JPY | approx. 45,000–78,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–168,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 21,000 JPY–25,000 JPY | approx. 51,000–85,000 JPY | approx. 101,000–175,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 27,000 JPY–33,000 JPY | approx. 57,000–93,000 JPY | approx. 107,000–183,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 42,000 JPY–48,000 JPY | approx. 72,000–108,000 JPY | approx. 122,000–198,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 56,000 JPY–64,000 JPY | approx. 86,000–124,000 JPY | approx. 136,000–214,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 65,000 JPY–75,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–135,000 JPY | approx. 145,000–225,000 JPY |
Change of status
| Period of stay granted | Government fee | Total Pro fee 80,000–180,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | 10,000 JPY | approx. 90,000–190,000 JPY |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 15,000 JPY–18,000 JPY | approx. 95,000–198,000 JPY |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | 21,000 JPY–25,000 JPY | approx. 101,000–205,000 JPY |
| 1 year | 27,000 JPY–33,000 JPY | approx. 107,000–213,000 JPY |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | 42,000 JPY–48,000 JPY | approx. 122,000–228,000 JPY |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | 56,000 JPY–64,000 JPY | approx. 136,000–244,000 JPY |
| 5 years or more | 65,000 JPY–75,000 JPY | approx. 145,000–255,000 JPY |
Permanent residence
| Application method | Government fee | Total Pro fee 120,000–250,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | 200,000 JPY | approx. 320,000–450,000 JPY |
※Each range runs from "online application + lowest professional fee" to "counter application + highest professional fee". Permanent residence is counter only.
※Translation, certificates and postage are extra.
※For typical professional fees and other costs, see "How Much Does a Visa Application Cost in Japan?"
Our office
We work with clear pricing and, in principle, no extra charges. We also handle communication with immigration if your situation changes during the review, at no extra cost. We tell you the final total, including government fees, at the start.
Your first consultation (30 minutes) is free. We explain everything in plain, easy Japanese. Feel free to ask just for a quote.
Summary
From October 2026, the government fee alone is tens of thousands of yen per renewal, and 200,000 JPY for permanent residence. The fee depends on the period of stay granted, so an application that can get a longer period of stay is more important than ever. When choosing a professional, check not only their fee but also what is included and the total cost including government fees.
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