Japan Passes New Immigration Law, Raising Caps on Residency Application Fees
The Japanese House of Councillors passed an amendment to the Immigration Control Act, raising the fee caps for foreign residency applications. The cap for residency status changes/renewals is raised to 100,000 yen, and permanent residency to 300,000 yen. The law also includes the introduction of an online pre-entry screening system, JESTA, planned for fiscal 2028.
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Central News Agency (Tokyo, 29th) The Japanese House of Councillors passed an amendment to the Immigration Control Act today, raising the fee caps for foreign residency applications. The new regulations are expected to be implemented this fiscal year. Additionally, the bill includes the establishment of an online pre-entry screening system, JESTA.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, this is part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration's tightening of policies regarding foreigners. The government plans to use the increased revenue to fund the expansion of immigration management systems and Japanese language education, aiming to realize an "orderly co-existing society."
The bill was passed in the plenary session of the House of Councillors with the support of the ruling party, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Sanseito party.
Currently, the fee for foreigners to apply for changes or renewals of residency status is 6,000 yen, and 10,000 yen for permanent residency. Since 1981, the fee caps for these services have remained at 10,000 yen.
With this amendment, the fee caps for residency changes/renewals and permanent residency applications will be raised to 100,000 yen and 300,000 yen, respectively.
The Japanese authorities will subsequently issue a cabinet order to finalize the adjusted amounts.
Reports predict that these fees will rise significantly, with tiers ranging from 10,000 to 70,000 yen depending on the length of stay, and permanent residency applications could rise to around 200,000 yen.
However, those in "economic hardship or other special circumstances" will be eligible for fee reductions or exemptions. Out of humanitarian considerations for refugees and others, the government will also establish supporting measures for qualified applicants.
Furthermore, the amendment includes JESTA, modeled after the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), to strengthen the prevention of illegal overstaying and facilitate smoother immigration checks, with implementation planned for fiscal 2028.
Travelers and tourists entering Japan under visa-exempt status will be required to input passport information online before departure, allowing the Immigration Services Agency to verify if they have any history of illegal overstaying.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, this is part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration's tightening of policies regarding foreigners. The government plans to use the increased revenue to fund the expansion of immigration management systems and Japanese language education, aiming to realize an "orderly co-existing society."
The bill was passed in the plenary session of the House of Councillors with the support of the ruling party, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Sanseito party.
Currently, the fee for foreigners to apply for changes or renewals of residency status is 6,000 yen, and 10,000 yen for permanent residency. Since 1981, the fee caps for these services have remained at 10,000 yen.
With this amendment, the fee caps for residency changes/renewals and permanent residency applications will be raised to 100,000 yen and 300,000 yen, respectively.
The Japanese authorities will subsequently issue a cabinet order to finalize the adjusted amounts.
Reports predict that these fees will rise significantly, with tiers ranging from 10,000 to 70,000 yen depending on the length of stay, and permanent residency applications could rise to around 200,000 yen.
However, those in "economic hardship or other special circumstances" will be eligible for fee reductions or exemptions. Out of humanitarian considerations for refugees and others, the government will also establish supporting measures for qualified applicants.
Furthermore, the amendment includes JESTA, modeled after the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), to strengthen the prevention of illegal overstaying and facilitate smoother immigration checks, with implementation planned for fiscal 2028.
Travelers and tourists entering Japan under visa-exempt status will be required to input passport information online before departure, allowing the Immigration Services Agency to verify if they have any history of illegal overstaying.
FAQ
How much will it cost to apply for permanent residency in Japan?
The cap has been raised to 300,000 yen, but the actual fee will be determined by government decree.