Tokyo [Japan], November 21: Japan will significantly increase visa fees for foreign residents in fiscal year 2026, starting April 1, 2026, according to Kyodo News on November 20, citing several sources from the Japanese government.
The new visa fees come amid a growing number of foreign residents in Japan , with the cost of changing status or reissuing a visa valid for a year or longer set to rise from the current ¥6,000 to around ¥40,000, according to sources. Permanent resident visas could be raised from ¥10,000 to over ¥100,000.
The new visa fees are expected to be on par with similar fees in Western countries, according to Kyodo News. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae ordered the visa fee increase to bring it in line with other major countries at a ministerial meeting on foreigner policy earlier this month.
Kyodo News, citing several sources, said the Japanese government will use additional revenue from the visa fee hike to strengthen multicultural support policies.
Earlier in April, the Japanese Immigration Service increased visa fees due to inflation, from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen for renewal or change of status, and from 8,000 yen to 10,000 yen for permanent resident visas.
Also according to the Japanese Immigration Agency, the number of foreigners residing in Japan as of the end of June reached a record high of 3,956,619 people.
Source: Thanh Nieu Newspaper
