Japan · Permanent residence
Japan Permanent Residence Update: Application Rules, Status Retention and Fees
Japan has published two sets of permanent residence guidance and introduced revised government fees. Each measure has its own scope and implementation date.
On 1 October 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency published revised guidance on permanent residence applications and new guidance on revoking permanent resident status. Previously announced changes to residence permission fees also took effect that day. The measures concern different procedures and follow different implementation dates.[1][6]
Revised application guidance mainly applies from April 2027
The revised guidance explains how household income and future pension provision will be assessed. It also introduces B1-equivalent Japanese proficiency as a consideration, with exceptions for specified highly skilled professionals, their families and certain other applicants. This should not be read as requiring every applicant to pass the same Japanese language examination.[2]
It generally applies to applications submitted from 1 April 2027. However, the income provision in section 2.4(2) and the public-burden provision in section 2.5(7) also apply to applications submitted from 1 April 2026 that remained pending on 1 October 2026. The effect on an existing application therefore depends on the particular provision.[2]
Revocation guidance takes effect in April 2027
The separate guidance explains how authorities will assess breaches of immigration obligations, deliberate non-payment of taxes or social insurance contributions, and custodial sentences for specified offences. It concerns people who already hold permanent resident status.[3]
Decisions must take individual circumstances into account, including family relationships and the person’s established life in Japan. In appropriate cases, another residence status may be granted. An isolated missed payment should not be treated as automatically resulting in loss of permanent residence or removal.[3]
The guidance takes effect on 1 April 2027. Its publication on 1 October 2026 does not mean that the new revocation rules took effect that day.[4]
New fees depend on when the application was accepted
The revised fees took effect on 1 October 2026. For a standard application to change from an existing residence status to permanent residence, the government fee is now JPY 200,000, payable on approval.[5]
Applications accepted by 30 September 2026 remain subject to the previous JPY 10,000 fee, even if approved later. Separate provisions apply to eligible fee reductions, and an additional charge may apply to the issuance of a specified residence card. These are government fees, rather than the total cost of obtaining permanent residence.[5]
Fees for changes of residence status and extensions of stay have also been revised, with different rates according to the period granted. The new rates apply to relevant applications submitted from 1 October and subsequently approved; applications accepted earlier retain the previous rates.[6]
Official documents and sources
1. Immigration Services Agency of Japan: residence procedure announcements, 1 October 2026
3. Immigration Services Agency of Japan: guidance on revocation of permanent resident status
5. Immigration Services Agency of Japan: permanent residence application procedure and government fees
6. Immigration Services Agency of Japan: residence permission fee changes effective 1 October 2026