From 1 October 2026, Japan charges ¥200,000 for permanent residence (up from ¥10,000), and extensions are priced by the period granted.
Chinese residents planning to stay in Japan long term should note that Japan’s revised residence procedure fees took effect on 1 October 2026. The biggest change is for permanent residence: the fee has risen from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, twenty times the old amount.
Extensions and changes of status are no longer charged at a flat rate but according to the period granted. At the counter, a 1-year approval now costs ¥33,000 and a 5-year approval ¥75,000. Anyone already working, studying or running a company in Japan will pay noticeably more at their next renewal.
What it means for Chinese applicants
This is the second fee increase this year. Since 1 July, Japanese missions in China charge RMB 715 for a single-entry visa and RMB 1,430 for a multiple-entry visa. If you are planning to work or run a business in Japan, budget for both the visa fee and the residence fees after arrival.
- If you are preparing a permanent residence application, budget at the new rate and check which fee applies on your filing date.
- At renewal, weigh the length of stay you apply for against your job contract and family plans.
- The Immigration Services Agency’s published documents are the final word on amounts and rules.
For visa types, documents and where to apply, see our Japan visa guide; for daily life, healthcare and the Chinese community, see the Japan guide. If you are considering naturalisation, read first about China’s rule against dual nationality.
