Japan has raised the fee for foreigners seeking permanent residency to 200,000 yen ($1,270; £955), a 20-fold increase. The new fees came into effect on 1 October 2026, alongside additional requirements for applicants.
Those applying for permanent residency must now meet new criteria regarding income, pension contributions, and Japanese language ability. Applicants are required to earn a stable income at or above the Japanese average, which was 5.75 million yen as of 2024. Expected pension benefits must also be equivalent to someone enrolled in the employee pension system for 30 years, though financial assets can be considered if pension benefits are lower.
These changes are part of broader immigration policy adjustments under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aimed at managing Japan's growing foreign population. The foreign resident population exceeded 4.12 million at the end of 2025, a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Prime Minister Takaichi stated in an X post that the government is working to ensure policies are orderly and that both Japanese citizens and foreign residents can live safely.
In July, Japan also implemented a five-fold increase in visa fees for all foreigners, the first such hike in 50 years, which authorities attributed to inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. From April 2027, permanent residency applicants will face even stricter requirements, including basic Japanese language proficiency.