Japan Increases Permanent Residency Fees Twentyfold

Japan has increased the fees for foreign nationals applying for permanent residency in the country by twentyfold, bringing the cost to 200,000 yen (approximately Rp 22.7 million).

Those applying for permanent residency must now also meet new requirements regarding income, pension payments, and Japanese language proficiency. Long queues were observed outside immigration offices at the beginning of this week as applicants attempted to submit their applications before the fee increase took effect. The main immigration office in Tokyo reported waiting times of over seven hours.

The fee hike is part of a series of Japanese immigration policy changes under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aimed at managing the country’s rapidly growing foreign population. In July, Japan implemented a fivefold increase in visa fees for all foreign nationals, the first such increase in 50 years. Authorities stated the policy was intended to