Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - Japan’s immigration offices are facing huge queues as foreign residents rush to complete applications before a sharp increase in residency fees takes effect on October 1.
At the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, some applicants have reportedly waited up to seven and a half hours, with numbered tickets issued to manage the crowds. The cost of applying for permanent residency will jump from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, while fees for changing or renewing residence status will rise from ¥6,000 to as much as ¥75,000.
The rush is also putting pressure on Japan’s online immigration system. The Immigration Services Agency warned on September 28 that heavy traffic was causing login problems, delays in reaching application screens and virtual waiting queues.
Immigration consultants say the prospect of the twentyfold increase has triggered a surge in last-minute permanent residency applications as foreign residents try to submit before the new charges begin.
The fee changes arrive alongside tougher requirements for permanent residency, adding urgency for applicants already navigating Japan’s immigration system.
The government says the higher charges are intended to help cover the costs of managing the country’s growing foreign population. With the October 1 deadline approaching, immigration offices and online systems are under intense pressure as applicants race to avoid substantially higher costs.
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