[From October 2026] Japan visa extension and change fees rise to up to 75,000 yen | New fee table and how to pay

From October 1, 2026, the fees for changing your status of residence, extending your period of stay, and permanent residence are new. For a change or extension, the fee is 10,000 yen to 75,000 yen depending on the permitted period of stay. Permission for permanent residence costs 200,000 yen. An online application is cheaper than an application at the counter, but you can now pay only by convenience store payment or bank payment.

Key points of the change

• Three procedures are covered: “change of status of residence,” “extension of period of stay,” and “permission for permanent residence.”
• The fee for a change or extension used to be a flat amount (6,000 yen at the counter, 5,500 yen online). It is now an amount based on the permitted period of stay.
• Permission for permanent residence went up from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.
• For an online application, you pay the fee by convenience store payment or bank payment. You cannot use revenue stamps.
• Applications received by September 30, 2026 keep the old fee, even if permission is granted on or after October 1.

(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Revision of Residence Permission Fee Amounts”)

New fee table

These are the fees for a change of status of residence and an extension of period of stay.

The fee for permission for permanent residence is 200,000 yen (application at the counter).

Before the revision, a change or extension cost 6,000 yen at the counter or 5,500 yen online, and permanent residence cost 10,000 yen. For an online application, a transaction fee is charged separately in addition to the amounts above.

(Source: Immigration Services Agency leaflet (Japanese))

The longer the period, the lower the cost per year

The longer the period of stay, the smaller the cost per year. Comparing online application fees (the per-year amount is a rough figure: the fee divided by the number of years):

However, the length of the period of stay is decided in the examination. You cannot choose it yourself.

The fee depends on the “permitted period of stay”

The fee is set by the period of stay granted when permission is given, not by anything at the time you apply. So you will not know the exact amount when you apply.

You will be told how much to pay in the following way:

• Application at the counter: The amount is written on the postcard sent after the examination is completed.
• Online application: The amount is written in the email with a payment link, which arrives after the examination completion email.

(Source: Immigration Services Agency leaflet, Q&A)

Specified Skilled Worker (i): a one-month difference can change the fee

The period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号) is defined as “a period designated by the Minister of Justice for each individual foreign national, not exceeding 3 years.” Because there is also a total limit of 5 years, periods such as “11 months” or “1 year and 1 month” are sometimes granted in practice.

The new fees are set by period bands, so a difference of one month can change the amount.

How your period of stay is decided depends on your company’s situation and the terms of your employment contract. We will explain this in a separate article. If you are applying as a Specified Skilled Worker (i), prepare while consulting your company, your registered support organization, or a specialist.

→ How is the period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) decided?

(Source: Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table II (e-Gov); fee bands from the Immigration Services Agency leaflet (Japanese))

Which applications get the new fee

What matters is “the date your application was received.”

• Applications received by September 30, 2026: The old fee applies (6,000 yen at the counter, 5,500 yen online, 10,000 yen for permanent residence), even if permission is granted on or after October 1.
• Applications received on or after October 1, 2026: The new fee applies.

How to pay

How you pay depends on how you applied.

If you applied at the counter

You pay with revenue stamps. Shops and convenience stores inside immigration offices may have only a few revenue stamps in stock. Before you go to receive your result, it is safer to buy revenue stamps for the amount on your postcard at a large post office or similar place. Revenue stamps can be bought with cash only.

If you applied online

You pay by convenience store payment or bank payment. This is the same whether you receive your documents by mail or at the counter. With internet banking, you can pay without cash. You cannot use revenue stamps. A transaction fee is also charged separately from the fee.

After the examination completion email, a payment instruction email is sent to the email address you registered as your user information.

(Source: Immigration Services Agency leaflet, Q&A)

When the fee can be reduced

The fee may be reduced for people who are in financial hardship comparable to persons requiring protection under the Public Assistance Act and who need humanitarian consideration. With a reduction, a change or extension costs 10,000 yen and permission for permanent residence costs 20,000 yen.

To receive a reduction, you need to apply at the counter. Reductions are not available for online applications. Cases that may qualify are described in the Immigration Services Agency’s guidelines.

(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Fee Reduction or Exemption Measures for Residence Permission Fees”)

What to prepare now

• Budget on the high side: You cannot know the permitted period in advance, so it is safer to prepare the highest amount possible for your procedure.
• Check whether your company pays: Some companies pay the fee for you. If you are working, ask the person in charge at your company.
• Check your email address: For an online application, the payment instructions come by email. Make sure the email address you registered still works.
• Get revenue stamps early: If you applied at the counter, buy them at a large post office or similar place once your postcard arrives.

Frequently asked questions

I applied in September and have not received a result yet. Will the new fee apply?

No. Applications received by September 30, 2026 keep the old fee, even if permission is granted on or after October 1.

Will I know the fee when I apply?

You will not know the exact amount when you apply. It depends on the permitted period of stay, so check the postcard (application at the counter) or the payment instruction email (online application).

Which is cheaper, an online application or an application at the counter?

For permission of 3 months or less, both cost 10,000 yen. For longer periods, an online application is 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen cheaper. However, an online application has a separate transaction fee.

Summary

• For a change or extension received on or after October 1, 2026, the fee is 10,000 yen to 75,000 yen depending on the permitted period of stay (10,000 yen to 65,000 yen online). Permission for permanent residence costs 200,000 yen.
• The amount is not fixed until permission is granted. Check your postcard or payment instruction email.
• Online applications are paid by convenience store payment or bank payment only. Applications at the counter are paid with revenue stamps.

If you are unsure about the procedure or how much you should prepare in your case, consult a specialist.

Primary Sources Referenced in Article Creation

• Immigration Services Agency, “Revision of Residence Permission Fee Amounts, effective October 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8)”
• Immigration Services Agency leaflet (Japanese)
• Immigration Services Agency, “Q&A on the Revision of Residence Permission Fee Amounts”
• Immigration Services Agency, “Fee Reduction or Exemption Measures for Residence Permission Fees”