Japan set to raise visa renewal fees for foreign residents by over 500%

The Japanese government is planning a substantial increase in visa issuance fees for foreign residents, which is scheduled to take effect in the next fiscal year.

The changes will represent an over 500% increase for visa renewals of 1 year or longer and a potential 900% increase for those looking to acquire a permanent residency visa.

The additional revenue generated from these hikes will be utilized to strengthen policies that support multiculturalism within the country.

This move comes amidst a rise in the number of foreign residents in Japan, which reached a record high of 3,956,619 people as of the end of June.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed the fee hike during a ministerial meeting earlier this month, with the aim of matching the fee structures of other major countries.

The new pricing structure is expected to bring Japan’s fees in line with those of Western nations.

Here are the planned fee increases:

Change of Visa Status / Renewal (1 Year or Longer)
- Current Fee: 6,000 yen (approx. $37.50 USD / £30.00 GBP)
- New Fee: Up to approximately 40,000 yen (approx. $250.00 USD / £200.00 GBP)

Permanent Residency Visa
- Current Fee: 10,000 yen (approx. $62.50 USD / £50.00 GBP)
- New Fee: Over 100,000 yen (approx. $625.00 USD / £500.00 GBP)

These proposed changes follow a previous adjustment by the Immigration Services Agency in April, which raised fees for renewals and permanent residency due to inflation.

The government is likely to submit a bill to revise the immigration control law, which currently sets a 10,000 yen cap on such fees, during next year’s ordinary parliamentary session.

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