Japan may approve bill to increase immigration fees

Japan’s lower house of parliament has passed a bill to raise the ceiling on immigration-related fees, paving the way for higher costs for foreign residents and applicants, according to a report by The Japan Times. The legislation is expected to be enacted during the current parliamentary session if it clears the upper house.

The bill proposes a significant increase in the maximum fees for key immigration procedures. The ceiling for changing residence status and extending the period of stay will rise to ¥100,000, while the cap for permanent residence applications will increase to ¥300,000. Currently, the maximum fee for these categories is ¥10,000.

Higher fee caps for visas and residency

Authorities said actual charges will be set through a separate ordinance within the revised limits. Estimates from the Immigration Services Agency suggest fees may be set at ¥10,000 for stays of up to three months, ¥30,000 for one year, ¥60,000 for three years and ¥70,000 for five years, as per The Japan Times report. The fee for permanent residence is expected to be around ¥200,000.


The government said the additional revenue will support measures to manage the rising number of foreign residents. The move aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policy stance on tightening oversight of foreign nationals.

New pre-screening system planned

The bill also includes plans to introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), which will allow authorities to screen foreign visitors online before travel. The system will apply to short-term visitors, including tourists, and aims to reduce airport congestion and prevent illegal stays.

The government plans to roll out JESTA by fiscal 2028 as part of broader immigration management reforms.