Rising Filing Fees in Japan’s Immigration System
Rising Filing Fees in Japan’s Immigration System:
A Statutory Shift Toward U.S.–EU Standards
Japan is preparing a significant overhaul of its immigration filing fees, signaling a move toward U.S. and European levels. Current proposals indicate that visa extension fees may rise to ¥30,000–40,000 per applicant as early as next fiscal year, while Permanent Residency (PR) applications may reach approximately ¥100,000.
For families, the financial impact is substantial:
- Visa renewal: ¥30,000–40,000 × each family member — often totaling ¥150,000 per application cycle.
- Permanent Residency: ¥100,000 × family members — potentially ¥400,000 or more.
A Legal Ceiling That Must Be Rewritten
Under Article 67 of the Immigration Control Act, fees for change of status, extensions, permanent residency, and re-entry permits are capped at ¥10,000. The current PR fee—¥10,000—is already the statutory maximum.
Any increase will therefore require a legislative amendment, not merely an administrative decision.
Administrative Mechanics: The Stamp Question
Japan’s revenue stamp system already includes high-value denominations—¥10,000, ¥20,000, ¥30,000, ¥40,000, ¥50,000, ¥60,000, and ¥100,000—making the technical side of higher fees manageable with only a few stamps.
That said, one cannot help but ask: How long will Japan continue relying on revenue stamps in a modern immigration system?
Professional Consultant
Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor with 18 years of investment banking experience at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and executives.
- Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
- CMA (Japanese Certified Member Analyst)
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- MBA in Entrepreneurship (Hosei Business School)