Japan increases the permanent residency fee twentyfold and imposes new conditions on foreigners

Japan is increasing the fee for obtaining permanent residency twentyfold, to 200,000 yen, and tightening the conditions for foreigners who want to remain in the country long term. The measures take effect amid record growth in the foreign population, which exceeded 4.12 million people at the end of 2025.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have stable incomes, pay pension contributions and possess sufficient financial resources. Starting in April next year, they will also have to prove a basic level of Japanese-language proficiency. In the case of pensions, authorities will assess the expected benefits and, if these are insufficient, may take the applicant’s financial assets into account.

The changes have caused queues lasting several hours at immigration offices, where numerous foreigners have tried to submit their documents before the fee increases. At the main office in Tokyo, the waiting time exceeded seven hours.

Meanwhile, fees for changing status or extending a stay have risen from 6,000 yen to between 10,000 and 75,000 yen, depending on the period requested. The government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says the reforms aim to manage immigration more strictly, amid an aging population and a labor shortage.