On April 28, 2026, Japan's House of Representatives (衆議院 - Shūgiin) officially voted to pass the Amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (入管難民法改正案 - Nyūkan nanmin-hō kaisei-an) with majority support from the ruling coalition, the Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseito. This marks the formal turning point that transforms earlier fears about visa fee hikes into legislative reality.
The bill dramatically raises the fee ceilings for all foreign residence permit procedures in Japan. The government plans to implement the new fee schedule within fiscal year 2026 (i.e., before March 2027).
📰 Real-Time Update — April 28, 2026, 3:44 PM JST: The bill was officially passed at the House of Representatives plenary session on the afternoon of April 28. It is expected to proceed to the House of Councillors (参議院 - Sangiin) and has a very high probability of being enacted during the current Diet session.
- Source: Yahoo! News Japan (Jiji Tsūshin)
1. Summary of the Amendment Bill
Previously, the maximum fee for residence status changes, extensions, and permanent residency was capped at a mere 10,000 JPY. The new bill raises these ceilings to entirely new levels:
| Procedure Type | Previous Fee Ceiling | New Fee Ceiling (New Law) | Expected Actual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Status Extension/Change (在留) | 10,000 JPY | 100,000 JPY | Depends on visa duration |
| Permanent Residency Application (永住許可) | 10,000 JPY | 300,000 JPY | Estimated ~200,000 JPY |
The actual fees will be determined by government ordinance (政令 - Seirei) within these new ceilings. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁), the following rates are under consideration:
| Visa Duration Granted | Current Fee | Proposed New Fee | Increase Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3 months | ~6,000 JPY | ~10,000 JPY | × 1.7 |
| 1 year | ~6,000 JPY | ~30,000 JPY | × 5 |
| 3 years | ~6,000 JPY | ~60,000 JPY | × 10 |
| 5 years | ~6,000 JPY | ~70,000 JPY | × 11.7 |
| Permanent Residency (永住) | ~10,000 JPY | ~200,000 JPY | × 20 |
2. What Does the House Passage Mean? — When Will the Law Take Effect?
The House of Representatives vote is a critical milestone in Japan's legislative process. The next steps are:
- Transfer to the House of Councillors (参議院): The upper house will debate and vote. Given the ruling coalition's majority, passage is virtually certain.
- Official promulgation: Once both chambers approve, the Emperor will formally promulgate (公布 - Kōfu) the law.
- Transition period and enforcement: The government has announced that new fees will be implemented within fiscal year 2026 (ending March 31, 2027). This means new fees could apply as early as autumn 2026.
For anyone planning a visa extension or PR application, the window to benefit from old fee rates is rapidly closing.
3. Who Will Be Hit Hardest?
3.1 IT Engineers and Skilled Workers (技人国 - Gijinkoku Visa)
This is the largest group within the Vietnamese community in Japan. If you currently hold a 技術・人文知識・国際業務 visa and your next renewal is for a 5-year term, you will need to prepare 70,000 JPY instead of the previous 6,000 JPY.
3.2 Permanent Residency Applicants
With the expected fee of 200,000 JPY, this is equivalent to nearly one month's salary for a trainee. The decision to apply for PR now requires serious financial planning alongside meeting eligibility criteria.
3.3 International Students and Specified Skilled Workers (Tokutei Gino)
This group typically has the lowest income. A 1-year extension fee increase to 30,000 JPY will be a significant burden. Note that there is currently no fee reduction policy planned for regular workers.
4. International Fee Comparison
One of the justifications the Japanese government cited for the fee increase is international benchmarking:
| Country | Permanent Residency Fee (Equivalent) | JPY Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA (Green Card) | ~$1,440 USD | ~216,000 JPY |
| 🇬🇧 UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) | ~£2,885 GBP | ~541,000 JPY |
| 🇦🇺 Australia (PR) | ~$4,640 AUD | ~465,000 JPY |
| 🇨🇦 Canada (PR) | ~$1,365 CAD | ~150,000 JPY |
| 🇯🇵 Japan (after amendment) | ~200,000 JPY | 200,000 JPY |
| 🇯🇵 Japan (before amendment) | 10,000 JPY | 10,000 JPY |
Japan's new fee is still lower than the UK and Australia, but has skyrocketed from its previous level and is now comparable to Canada.
5. Urgent Advice for Expats in Japan
⚡ If You Qualify for PR — Apply RIGHT NOW
PR applications typically take 4-6 months to process. If you submit your application before the new law takes effect, you will pay the old fee of 10,000 JPY. This is your last chance to save 190,000 JPY.
📋 Budget for Your Upcoming Visa Extension
If your visa expires in late 2026 or early 2027, set aside 30,000 to 100,000 JPY depending on your visa type. If you're aiming for a 5-year visa, prepare 70,000 JPY in advance.
🚫 Beware of Scam "Guaranteed Pass" Services
With higher fees, fraudulent services promising "guaranteed visa approval" or "fake tax documents" will multiply. Never use them. Nyukan's cross-checking systems are increasingly sophisticated — if caught, you face permanent deportation and lifetime entry ban (入国拒否 - Nyūkoku kyohi).
📌 Stay Current on Tax and Pension Payments
The new law is accompanied by provisions to revoke Permanent Residency for those who deliberately evade taxes, health insurance, or pension (年金 - Nenkin) payments. Keep your financial records clean.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Has the law officially taken effect?
Answer: Not yet. As of April 28, 2026, the bill has only passed the House of Representatives. It still needs to be voted on by the House of Councillors before becoming law. However, passage is highly likely. The government plans to implement new fees within fiscal year 2026 (before March 31, 2027).
2. I'm renewing my visa now — will I pay the old or new fee?
Answer: If you submit your application and receive your result before the new law takes effect, you will pay the old fee (6,000 - 10,000 JPY). The revenue stamp (収入印紙) fee is only collected when you pick up your new residence card after approval. The timing of stamp purchase is what determines your fee.
3. Is 200,000 JPY the final PR application fee?
Answer: 200,000 JPY is the projected amount announced by the Immigration Services Agency. The legal ceiling is 300,000 JPY. The actual fee will be set by government ordinance (政令), but 200,000 JPY is the expected implementation figure.
4. Are there fee waivers for special cases?
Answer: The draft mentions possible reductions for individuals in extraordinary economic hardship (refugees, scholarship recipients). However, commercial workers (engineers, Tokutei Gino, skilled professionals) will almost certainly pay the full 100% rate.
5. Is this bill related to the new N2 requirement for Engineer Visas?
Answer: These are two separate bills. The N2 Japanese proficiency requirement for Japan's Engineer Visa (技人国) has been effective since April 15, 2026. The fee hike bill focuses on administrative processing fees and does not affect eligibility criteria.
Related Articles
Japan's immigration policies are shifting rapidly. Don't miss these expert analyses to protect your legal rights:
- 2026 Warning: PR Application Fee Cap to Increase to 300,000 JPY
- SHOCKING: Japan to Hike Permanent Residency Visa Fee to 200,000 JPY (A 20x Increase)
- Complete Guide to Japan Visa Types 2026: Work, HSP, Student, Spouse & Tourist Visas
- Japan Visa Update 2026: Rising Fees, Stricter PR Rules & New Departure Tax
- BREAKING: Japan's Engineer Visa Now Requires N2 Japanese — April 2026
- Japan HSP Visa 2026: Detailed Points Table and Fast-Track PR in 1-3 Years
- 5 Crucial Japanese Law Changes in 2026: Bicycle Fines, Taxes, Pension
✍️ This article was meticulously researched and compiled by the Expert Review Team at KidNihon, based on official reporting from Jiji Tsūshin and Yahoo! News Japan. For any visa-related questions, please leave a comment below — we offer free consultations!