The Japanese government is preparing a significant overhaul of immigration-related fees, aiming to raise them to levels comparable to those in Western countries.
The move comes as Japan’s foreign resident population has reached an all-time high, and administrative costs for screening and managing applicants continue to climb. Officials say the reform would secure funding for better services and enforcement, while reflecting international standards.
Why the Japanese government wants higher fees
Picture: imageteam / PIXTA(ピクスタ)
Japan has historically based immigration fees on paperwork and administrative costs. Officials now argue this model is outdated. Many Western countries instead follow the beneficiary pays principle, meaning users should contribute to system maintenance.
Japan’s current fees remain far below those in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Officials say the gap creates financial challenges for maintaining efficient immigration operations. They also cite rising labor costs, increasing application volume, and the need to improve support programs for foreign residents.
Japan continues to face labor shortages in key sectors such as caregiving, manufacturing, and agriculture. Businesses increasingly rely on foreign workers to maintain operations. Universities also attract large numbers of overseas students. Officials argue that the country must balance attracting talent with sustainable immigration management. Fee increases are intended to support services, infrastructure, and enforcement without discouraging skilled workers.
Officials say the extra revenue will fund faster processing at airports and immigration offices. They plan to expand Japanese-language support and integration programs for foreign residents. The government also wants to modernize digital systems to reduce delays. Part of the funds will strengthen enforcement against illegal overstays.
Japan currently has about 70,000 overstayers, according to immigration authorities. These efforts aim to ensure fairness and maintain orderly residency procedures.
Details of proposed changes
Japan’s foreign resident population reached about 3.96 million at the end of June 2024, the highest number ever recorded. Rising resident numbers create a heavier workload for immigration offices. Screening, processing, and renewal procedures demand more staff and better digital systems. Officials say current budgets cannot support the growing volume efficiently. They argue that updated fees are necessary to maintain service quality and handle the rising demand.
The government plans to raise fees for residence status changes and renewals to between ¥30,000 ($192) and ¥40,000 ($256). Permanent residency fees may increase to over ¥100,000 ($640). By comparison, Germany charges roughly ¥16,000 to ¥17,000 for similar procedures. The United States charges ¥65,000 to ¥73,000, and Britain charges nearly ¥169,000 ($1,081).
Current Japanese law caps fees at ¥10,000 ($64).
The Foreign Ministry plans to raise visa fees to Western standards as well. Single-entry visas currently cost ¥3,000, and multiple-entry visas cost ¥6,000. The U.S. charges ¥28,800 ($185) for short-term visas, and Britain charges £127 (¥38,250).
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Officials say revenue from higher visa fees may support tourism management and address overcrowding in popular areas. This will be the first visa fee increase in Japan since 1978.
The government must revise the Immigration Control Act to implement higher fees. Officials plan to submit the bill to the Diet next year.
The impact of price increase on families, students, and employers
Picture: ururu / PIXTA(ピクスタ)
Many foreign residents worry that the higher fees will create financial burdens. Students and families on dependent visas could be disproportionately affected.
A family of four currently pays ¥24,000 for renewals. If the new fee reaches ¥40,000 per person, they would pay ¥160,000 in one renewal cycle. Families with one-year permits would face this expense every year. Some experts warn that the high costs could make long-term residence more challenging, particularly for low-income households.
Employers may also face increased costs. Companies often pay immigration fees for foreign workers as part of recruitment or welfare programs. Firms employing large numbers of technical interns or skilled workers could see significant budget increases.
A company with 100 foreign employees could pay roughly ¥4 million ($25,600) in renewal fees alone. Many firms will need to decide whether to continue covering fees or pass costs to employees. Observers suggest some employers may reconsider hiring strategies in response.
The permanent residency fee increase could exceed ¥100,000, a tenfold rise from the current ¥10,000. This dramatic jump may trigger a surge in applications before the new fees take effect. Current processing times for permanent residency applications often exceed ten months.
A sudden surge could further delay approvals. Immigration lawyers advise eligible applicants to apply as soon as possible to avoid extended waiting periods.
Foreign reactions from Reddit
Foreign residents on Reddit have criticized the proposed changes. One user commented that the increase would severely impact students. Others argued that Japan cannot justify Western-level fees without raising wages first.
Some users described the proposal as “a cash grab.” Many warned that higher fees could reduce Japan’s appeal to foreign talent.
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A few users accepted the increase conditionally, noting that faster processing and better services would justify higher costs. However, many remain skeptical that the additional revenue will significantly improve conditions.
What’s next?
The Ministry of Justice plans to release more details later this year. Lawmakers will debate the proposed fee revisions in the Diet. If passed, new fees are expected to take effect next fiscal year. Advocacy groups are calling for transparent funding allocations and protections for low-income residents. Observers expect public debate to intensify as implementation approaches.
Sources
外国人の在留手続き手数料、欧米並みに値上げへ…来年度から更新で３～４万円程度を検討 読売新聞
外国人在留手続き、手数料の大幅引き上げを検討 26年度中にも 毎日新聞
外国人の在留手続き手数料引き上げへ 「更新で3～4万円程度」 欧米並みの水準で検討 増収分は外国人政策の財源に TBS NEWS DIG
更新手数料が4万円、永住は10万円超に？政府が検討する「大幅値上げ」の内容と影響を解説 行政書士佐藤秀樹事務所
Japan to Change Foreigners More for Residence Permits, Looking to Align with Western Countries Reddit
AloJapan.com