Japan to raise residency fees by up to 2,900% despite deepening labour crisis

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall

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People walk near Tokyo Station in January. Government data showed a record 4.13 million foreign nationals living in Japan at the end of 2025. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 11:47am, 17 Mar 2026Updated: 12:58pm, 17 Mar 2026

Settling in Japan as a foreign national is about to become much more expensive after the government passed legislation to sharply increase visa application fees.

Critics argue the policy is short-sighted amid a worsening labour shortage, but conservatives have dismissed such concerns, insisting that robots and artificial intelligence will soon replace workers in low-paid, service-sector roles.

Detractors also contend the legislation is designed to deter less affluent migrants from developing nations from settling permanently in Japan.

The government approved the bill on March 10, amending the existing immigration control law. The changes include higher fees for extending residency visas valid between one and five years, as well as for applying for permanent residency.

Visa renewal fees, currently set at 6,000 yen (US$38), will rise to as much as 100,000 yen (US$628) depending on the length of extension, while the cost of permanent residency applications will increase from 10,000 yen to a maximum of 300,000 yen – a 2,900 per cent increase.

Travellers at Haneda Airport in Tokyo last month. The new Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation will require visitors to register online before entry. Photo: Kyodo

The revised legislation will also mandate the introduction of the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA), requiring all visitors to complete online pre-arrival documents detailing their name, purpose of visit and intended accommodation.

Japan to raise residency fees by up to 2,900% despite deepening labour crisis

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall