New Fee Hike for Foreign Residents: Japan to Raise Residency Renewal Costs by 500 Percentage Starting from 2026

Published on December 3, 2025

From April 2026, Japan plans on making changes to the foreigner’s residency renewal cost structure. The most important cost increase is the renewal fee which will increase from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. This translates to a fee increase of about 5-6 times. Nikkei suggested that the reason for the increase is the administrative increase from foreign residents renewals, and Japan’s increase in foreign population. Will travelers also be affected by this increase? The answer appears to be yes. The government will likely increase visa application fees for tourists and other travelers.

Fee Hike for Residency Renewals: Government’s Move to Align with Global Standards

The Japanese government’s new proposal, set to take effect in 2026, is not just about raising the cost of residency renewals. Officials noted that the revision would introduce fee variations depending on the length of the renewal period. This would be the second time in two years that Japan has raised the residency renewal fees. In 2024, Japan raised the cost from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen, marking the first increase in over four decades.

According to the Ministry of Justice, this increase is meant to bring Japan’s residency fees more in line with those charged in North America and Europe, ensuring that foreign nationals are contributing more to the administrative burden caused by their increasing numbers. Japan’s foreign population has grown rapidly, with 3.95 million foreign residents recorded in June 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of approximately 10% since 2022.

Operational Costs Driving the Increase

The Ministry of Justice has explained that the fee hike is primarily driven by the rising operational costs involved in managing the growing foreign population. The cost of hiring additional staff to process and review residency applications, along with the need to upgrade systems for managing residency data, has led to an increase in expenditures.

Additionally, Japan is investing in systems to combat illegal immigration and digitize its oversight processes, which have further strained the budget. Officials expect the higher fees to help offset these costs. The country’s immigration authorities believe that these fee adjustments are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the immigration system. A senior official mentioned that it is crucial for foreigners to contribute more to cover the administrative costs associated with their residency applications.

Foreign Residents Face Rising Costs as Japan Seeks Revenue Increase

Currently, the revenue from residency fees amounts to approximately 7 billion yen annually. With the proposed fee hike, this figure is expected to increase by several tens of billions. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency emphasized that the increase is in response to the rising number of foreign residents, as well as the increasing costs of managing their applications and monitoring their legal status.

Japan has long welcomed foreign workers, especially as the country faces labor shortages in several sectors, including hospitality, construction, and healthcare. However, as the number of foreign residents continues to grow, the government has come under pressure to adjust its immigration policies to accommodate the growing demand for services.

Tourists to Face Increased Visa Fees as Japan Curb Overtourism?

The government is also considering raising visa fees for inbound visitors, including tourists and short-term travelers. This potential increase would aim to cover the higher costs of visa processing and address the issue of overtourism, which has become a concern in many of Japan’s major tourist destinations. While Japan remains a top global travel destination, there have been calls for more sustainable tourism management to ensure that the country’s attractions remain accessible to visitors while minimizing negative impacts on local communities.

The proposed visa fee hikes could be seen as an attempt to balance the influx of visitors with the country’s resources, with the goal of maintaining both sustainable tourism and manageable crowds. The tourism sector has also seen a surge in activity following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions, which may explain the government’s move to increase visa fees.

What This Means for Foreign Nationals and Tourists

For foreign residents, the increase in residency renewal fees could add a financial burden, especially for those who are renewing their status every few years. The hike may lead to questions about Japan’s long-term commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for foreign nationals, especially as the nation continues to grapple with its aging population and labor shortages.

For tourists, the increase in visa application fees is likely to make Japan an even more expensive destination for international travelers. With the ongoing recovery from the pandemic, the added cost could affect Japan’s competitiveness in the global tourism market, especially among budget-conscious travelers.

However, Japan’s commitment to managing its immigration system efficiently and sustainably remains clear, and officials believe these fee hikes are necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the system.

The Future of Japan’s Immigration and Tourism Policies

The upcoming changes to residency and visa fees highlight Japan’s evolving approach to immigration and tourism management. As the country prepares for these fee increases, it is likely that the government will continue to make adjustments based on both economic factors and the changing demographics of the country. With foreign residents and tourists contributing significantly to Japan’s economy, the government will need to strike a balance between raising fees and ensuring that the country remains an attractive destination for both long-term residents and short-term visitors.

While the proposed hikes may initially spark concerns about the affordability of living and visiting Japan, they represent the government’s attempt to respond to mounting operational costs and the growing need for a robust immigration system. In the coming years, Japan will likely continue to reassess its policies, both for foreign residents and tourists, to ensure that they remain fair, sustainable, and aligned with global standards.