Japan to Raise Visa Fees for Foreign Residents Starting April 2025

(JAPAN) Japan will sharply raise visa fees for foreign residents and some long‑term applicants from April 1, 2025, in its first broad immigration fee hike in nearly half a century, government officials have confirmed. The move affects core procedures such as a Residential Status Extension or Change and Permanent Residency Application, and comes as the country records historic tourism numbers and rising administrative costs. It also signals a shift toward pricing more in line with other major destination countries.

What’s changing: headline fee increases

Under the plan, the fee for a basic Residential Status Extension or Change will jump from the current ¥6,000 (about $38) to roughly ¥30,000–¥40,000 — a five‑ to sixfold increase that will hit students, skilled workers and families every time they renew or change their stay.

The charge for a Permanent Residency Application will rise even more steeply, from ¥10,000 to more than ¥100,000, turning what was once a modest filing cost into a major household expense.

Quick fee summary (before vs after)

Context: why the government is raising fees

The Justice Ministry has not raised core immigration handling charges on this scale in almost 50 years, leaving Japan’s visa fees far below those of other advanced economies. For comparison, many U.S. categories cost about $185, the U.K. around $177, and much of the Schengen Area roughly $105, according to government data cited in policy discussions.

Officials argue that bringing processing charges closer to global norms is necessary to cope with record demand. During the first half of 2025 alone, Japan welcomed 21.5 million visitors — the first time the country has ever crossed the 20‑million mark in six months.

Tourism taxes brought in ¥48.1 billion between April 2024 and April 2025, a year‑on‑year increase of about 33%, underscoring both the strain and the opportunity created by booming arrivals.

The government says higher processing charges will fund better digital systems, more staff and stronger screening as border agencies handle mounting application volumes.

Who will be most affected

The sharpest impact of the higher visa fees will fall on foreign residents who must deal with immigration paperwork to study, work or raise families in Japan.

• Students renewing a two‑year status will face much higher renewal costs.
• Skilled workers switching employers will incur higher charges for each change.
• International couples applying for long‑term stay or permanent residency will face substantially increased out‑of‑pocket expenses.

For employers, especially those relying on international staff or rotating personnel through Japanese branches, the change introduces a new budget line during a period of wage and cost pressures. Human resources managers will need to factor:

• the new charges for every Residential Status Extension or Change into hiring plans,
• increased costs for secondments and long‑term assignments,
• expenses for dependent family members’ renewals.

Concerns and potential social effects

Some immigration lawyers warn the jump in fees for a Permanent Residency Application could discourage many mid‑career professionals from putting down deeper roots. Permanent residence has long been seen as a stable option: it allows holders to change jobs freely and reduces the need for repeat renewals.

Turning that process into a six‑figure yen expense may cause applicants to delay or reconsider their plans.

Critics question whether front‑loading costs onto foreign residents is fair. Specific concerns include:

• Advocacy groups for international students note many already struggle with tuition and part‑time work limits; an extra ¥30,000 or more every renewal could make Japan a less attractive study destination.
• Small business owners who sponsor staff worry higher visa fees will add to labor shortages in sectors such as care work, hospitality and information technology.
• If families stretch out renewal cycles or avoid job moves to reduce fees, labor mobility could be quietly limited — a risk for a country already facing demographic decline.

A more expensive Permanent Residency Application may push professionals to maintain temporary status, preserving flexibility to move to other markets rather than committing fully to life in Japan.

Government rationale and critics’ response

Officials describe the increases as moderate relative to overall costs of international travel and life in a major economy. They argue the additional revenue can be used to:

• upgrade digital systems,
• hire more staff,
• improve screening and immigration controls,
• fund infrastructure and community support related to tourism.

Analysts (e.g., VisaVerge.com) say Japan’s previous pricing structure left immigration offices handling large workloads without the revenue base seen in North America or Europe.

Critics, however, remain skeptical about fairness and the policy’s distributional effects, particularly on students and small employers.

Practical advice for residents and employers

Foreign nationals already in Japan are watching for detailed guidance from the Justice Ministry and the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, which provides official information on residence procedures and fee schedules on its website at Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Many are already timing their paperwork and considering bringing forward applications before the April 2025 start date, where eligibility rules and deadlines permit.

Consultants advise employers and residents to:

1. Review internal policies, budgets and contract terms well ahead of the change.
2. Consider whether to:
   • continue reimbursing fees in full,
   • cap reimbursements,
   • or maintain support to stay competitive for international talent.
3. Make greater use of online systems (where available) to save time and transport expenses, even if the government fee rises.

What to watch next

In the months ahead, attention will focus on how the higher charges shape behavior among both short‑term visitors and long‑term residents.

• Will families and workers alter renewal timing or job mobility to avoid repeated fees?
• Will employers absorb the costs or pass them on to employees?
• Will the policy reduce permanent residence applications and alter the balance between temporary and long‑term settlement?

How applicants respond — and how employers react — will reveal the policy’s real social and economic impact.