Japan to Increase Residence Fees. From October 2026, PR costs will rise to ¥200,000.

Japan to Increase Residence Fees. From October 2026, PR costs will rise to ¥200,000.
Japan is hiking immigration costs beginning October 1, 2026. Permanent residency applications cost ¥200,000. residency extensions and status adjustments are paid according on the allowed stay length.
Japan is scheduled to boost immigration fees dramatically beginning October 1, 2026, with foreign residents applying for permanent residence facing the steepest increase. The charge will climb from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, a 20x increase.
The revamped approach will also eliminate the existing flat price for changing or extending residency status. Starting in October, the sum will be determined by the length of the authorized stay, with online applications typically costing less for longer stays.
New Japan Residence Fees Starting October 1
The current charge is ¥6,000 for applications filed at an immigration office and ¥5,500 for online, regardless of the duration granted. Japan implemented the online option to eliminate the need for trips to immigration offices, and the system is still available to qualified candidates.

Permanent residence takes the most hit.
The application fee for permanent residence would increase from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 under the new timetable. That is a 1,900% increase from the existing fee.
This is the most significant fee change for Indian professionals, students transitioning to long-term employment, and families already living in Japan. It significantly increases the cost of an otherwise inexpensive application.
The overall pattern is clear: Japan is transitioning from low, relatively uniform immigration fees to a system in which longer-term stay costs significantly more.
Filing before October Could Save Money.
Timing is important. Applications submitted before October 1, 2026 will be charged according to the current fee schedule, even if the decision is made after October 1.
Applications submitted on or after October 1 are subject to the increased charges.
Checking the filing date may make a significant impact for Indians who are currently in Japan and are eligible to apply for permanent residence or who need to prolong or change their status shortly.
What Indian Residents Need to Know
If your Japan residency application is due around this time, compare the new charge to your estimated authorized stay before determining when and how to apply.
For longer durations of residency, filing online is less expensive than submitting the application in person. The savings are ¥5,000 for one-year approval, ¥10,000 for three to under five years, and ¥10,000 for five years or more.

Travunited Take:
We regard this as a significant cost rise for Indians establishing long-term lives in Japan, but online filing remains practicable, and early submissions could save applicants a lot of money.