In this article
- The new visa renewal and permanent residency fees from October 1, 2026
- What your next renewal will actually cost
- 3 things to do now, and what it means for your housing
If you live in Japan on a work, student, or family visa, your next renewal will likely cost much more. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) raised its fees for applications for extensions of stay, changes of status, and permanent residency received on or after October 1, 2026. If you are granted a period of stay of 1 year or longer, the standard in-person renewal fee is now 5.5 to 12.5 times the previous ¥6,000.
Here is what changed and how to prepare, based on the ISA's official figures.
What changed on October 1, 2026
Before, a renewal or change of status cost a flat ¥6,000 at the counter (¥5,500 online). Now the fee depends on how long a period of stay you are granted.
Extension of period of stay / Change of status
| Period of stay granted | Counter | Online* |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Over 3 months, up to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 |
*Online applications also require a payment processing fee of ¥330 (¥550 for 3 years or more). For online applications received on or after October 1, 2026, you pay at a participating convenience store, through a Pay-easy ATM, or by online banking. Bank counters and revenue stamps are not accepted. Applications received by September 30, 2026 are still paid with revenue stamps. Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Permanent residency
The permanent residency fee rose from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, 20 times the old amount.
Point: If your application was received by September 30, 2026, you pay the old fee, even if permission is granted after October 1.
How much will your next renewal cost?
You pay the fee when your permission is granted, not when you apply. The amount appears on the postcard (counter) or in the payment email (online) you receive after the review.
- Single person, granted 3 years: ¥64,000 at the counter, or ¥56,550 online (including the processing fee)
- Family of four, each granted 3 years: ¥256,000 at the counter, or ¥226,200 online (including processing fees)
For families, the fee is now a real part of the household budget.
3 things you can do now
1. Check your expiry date and set money aside
Most people with a period of stay of 6 months or more can apply from about 3 months before expiry. Put the fee aside early, especially if several family members renew at the same time.
2. Apply online if you can
Including processing fees, applying online can save you up to ¥9,450. (For a granted stay of 3 months or less, online costs ¥330 more.) You need to register for the ISA's online system, and individual applicants generally need a My Number Card.
If you plan to request a fee reduction, apply in person. The online system does not accept fee-reduction requests.
3. Keep your taxes, health insurance, and pension paid
Caution: Unpaid taxes, health insurance, or pension can count against your application. For permanent residency, this includes past non-payment. The government is also preparing to share National Health Insurance payment information with the ISA for residence reviews, with the system planned to start in June 2027.
If you changed jobs or moved recently, check that nothing lapsed during the switch.
Fee reductions exist only in very limited cases: financial hardship comparable to public assistance and a humanitarian need. Reduction requests must be made at the counter.
Permanent residency is also getting stricter
The ISA also revised its Permanent Residency Guidelines on October 1, 2026. Here are some of the key points:
| Key point | In short | Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Length of stay | Generally 10 consecutive years in Japan, including 5 consecutive years under a qualifying work or residence-based status | Now |
| Payments | Taxes, health insurance, and pension paid on time, including in the past | Now |
| Household income | Consistently above the average for Japanese households of the same size | From April 2027 (also some pending cases) |
| Pension outlook | Your expected future pension is considered | From April 2027 |
| Japanese | Proficiency equivalent to B1 or higher (with exceptions) | From April 2027 |
This is a simplified summary, not a full list. Other points, special rules for spouses and other groups, and exceptions are in the official guidelines. Each application is decided case by case.
If you plan to apply, check the official guidelines and talk to a certified administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) about your timing.
▶ Permanent Residency Guidelines (Immigration Services Agency of Japan, in Japanese)
What this means for your housing
- Landlords and guarantor companies may check your residence card and remaining period of stay. Screening rules vary, so ask your agent early when you plan a move.
- Lease renewals cost money too. Many Tokyo leases charge a renewal fee every two years. If both renewals fall in the same year, plan for both.
- Thinking about buying? Buying a home without permanent residency is not impossible. We will cover this in a future article.
How Oitomares can help
Oitomares is a licensed real estate agency (Tokyo Governor License (1) No. 110230) supporting foreign residents in Japan. We help foreign residents find, rent, and buy homes. We do not prepare or submit immigration applications, or give advice on individual immigration cases.
What we can help with:
- Finding a foreigner-friendly home that fits your visa situation
- Lease renewals, contract terms, and move-out costs
- Buying property, with or without permanent residency
Support in Japanese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Based on official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as of October 30, 2026. Rules and fees may change. For your individual case, check the official ISA website or consult a certified administrative scrivener.
Official sources
Fee revision: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00644.html
Permanent Residency Guidelines: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html
Online application fees and payment: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html
Fee reductions: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00273.html
National Health Insurance information sharing (MHLW): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/web/t_doc?dataId=00tc9602&dataType=1&pageNo=1
