Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fee 20-Fold as Foreigners Face Tougher Rules

Japan has sharply tightened the rules for foreigners seeking permanent residency, raising the application fee 20-fold and introducing tougher financial, pension and language requirements as the country responds to a record foreign population and growing pressure over immigration.

From October 1, the fee for permanent residency applications increased from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, making Japan’s long-term settlement process significantly more expensive for foreign residents. Applications submitted by September 30 remain subject to the previous fee even if the final decision comes after the increase.

The fee increase is part of a wider overhaul of Japan’s permanent-residency system. Under revised guidelines, applicants will need to demonstrate that they can support themselves financially, with annual income expected to remain above the average level for Japanese households of a comparable size.

Pension records are also becoming an important part of the assessment. Authorities will consider whether an applicant’s expected pension benefits reach a level comparable to what someone could receive after 30 years of participation in Japan’s employees’ pension system at the applicant’s current income level.

From April 2027, applicants will also face a Japanese-language requirement, with basic proficiency becoming part of the permanent-residency assessment. The changes are intended to strengthen the standards for people seeking to settle in Japan permanently.

The reforms come as Japan’s foreign resident population has reached record levels. More than four million foreign residents were living in Japan at the end of 2025, while the country continues to depend on overseas workers amid labour shortages and an ageing population.

The changes have already prompted a rush among some applicants to file before the higher fee took effect. Japan’s immigration offices experienced long queues in late September, with Tokyo’s regional immigration bureau reporting waiting times of more than seven hours.

Japan is therefore facing a delicate balance: the country needs foreign workers to help address demographic and labour challenges, while its government is simultaneously seeking stricter standards for those who want to make Japan their permanent home.

For foreign residents, the message from the new rules is clear. Permanent residency will now require not only a long-term connection to Japan, but also stronger evidence of financial stability, pension participation and, from next year, basic Japanese-language ability.