In brief
Tokyo Governor Takaichi’s administration has lifted the permanent residency fee to 200,000 yen – 20 times the old rate – as part of a broader immigration overhaul. New conditions now include a minimum Japanese‑average income, pension contributions and language proficiency. The move has sparked queues and criticism over the steep cost for long‑term residents, while authorities say they are balancing labor needs with public concerns. Some applicants face additional barriers, and a projected 2027 tightening of criteria is expected. The changes reflect Japan’s struggle with a shrinking workforce and the need to attract foreign talent.
Japan has raised the fee for foreigners seeking permanent residency to 200,000 yen (about $1,270 or £955), a 20‑fold increase from the previous rate.
The new fee comes with additional hurdles: applicants must now show a stable income at or above the Japanese average, meet pension‑contribution criteria and demonstrate a basic level of Japanese language proficiency.
The announcement triggered long lines outside immigration offices, with Tokyo’s main bureau reporting wait times exceeding seven hours.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says the reforms aim to manage Japan’s rapidly growing foreign population, a stance that follows a 50‑year pause on visa‑fee hikes. In July, the government raised all visa fees fivefold, citing inflation and currency fluctuations.
Japan’s foreign resident cohort surpassed 4.12 million in 2025, a 9.5 % jump that has heightened domestic concerns about immigration and social change.
Prematurely applying seekers face higher costs; a single residency status change cost 16,000 yen pre‑hike, now rising to 10,000 yen for three‑month stays and 75,000 yen for five‑year extensions. Applicants flagged for financial hardship or as refugees could qualify for discounts.
The average household income in Japan, released in July, stands at 5.75 million yen – the benchmark for the new economic eligibility.
Micaiah Stevens, a decade‑long Tokyo resident, says the new barriers feel “too convenient” for foreigners: “We’re asked to earn more than the average Japanese and pay a substantially higher fee just to work here.” He criticises the policy’s short‑sightedness.
From April next year, permanent‑residency applications will require proof of basic Japanese language skills, driving up enrollments at language schools and at the Japanese‑Language Proficiency Test. The pension requirement also becomes stricter, insisting on 30 years of employee‑pension contribution, unless an applicant’s assets compensate for the shortfall.
