Contents
Introduction
From October 1, 2026, the fees for changing your status of residence, extending your period of stay and applying for permanent residence go up sharply. We covered the new amounts in our earlier article, Fees for permanent residence, change of status and extension of stay to increase from October 2026.
On August 28, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) published three more notices on the practical side of the change: which fee applies to your application, how online applicants will pay, and who can get a reduced fee. This article summarizes what you need to know.
Which fee applies to you: the date you apply decides
The rule is simple: the date your application is received decides the fee, not the date it is approved.
- Applications received by September 30, 2026: the old fee applies, even if permission is granted on or after October 1.
- Applications received on or after October 1, 2026: the new fee applies.
If your period of stay expires soon and your documents are ready, applying before October 1 can save you a significant amount. For a 3-year extension, for example, the fee goes from ¥6,000 (¥5,500 online) to ¥64,000 at the counter or ¥56,000 online.
Tip: You can apply for an extension of stay from about three months before your current period of stay expires.
Quick reminder: the new fee amounts
For a change of status or an extension of stay, the fee now depends on the period of stay you are granted, not the one you ask for.
| Period of stay granted | At the counter | Online (fee + processing charge) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months or less | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 + ¥330 |
| Over 3 months to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 + ¥330 |
| Over 6 months to under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 + ¥330 |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 + ¥330 |
| Over 1 year to under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 + ¥330 |
| 3 years to under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 + ¥550 |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 + ¥550 |
The fee for permanent residence rises from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. Permanent residence cannot be applied for online, so this fee is always paid at the counter with revenue stamps.
Fees for other permits, such as re-entry permits and certificates of authorized employment, are not changing. When you pay them online, however, a processing charge of ¥220 to ¥550 is added.
How to pay: counter applications
If you apply at a regional immigration office, you still pay with revenue stamps (shunyu inshi, 収入印紙). You pay only after your application is approved, when you collect your new residence card. Because the amount depends on the period of stay you are granted, check the amount on the notice you receive before you buy the stamps.
Revenue stamps are sold at post offices and, in many cases, at shops inside or near immigration offices.
How to pay: online applications
This is the biggest practical change. For online applications received on or after October 1, 2026:
- Revenue stamps can no longer be used.
- You pay by convenience store payment or bank transfer, including internet banking (Pay-easy).
- Credit cards and QR-code payments (such as PayPay) are not accepted.
The payment flow
- You apply through the Immigration Services Agency Online Residence Application System and the examination proceeds as usual.
- When the examination is finished, you receive an email telling you the result is ready.
- You then receive a message with a link to the decision, which shows the amount due and how to pay.
- You pay by convenience store or bank transfer.
As with counter applications, you pay only after permission is granted. If your application is denied, there is no fee.
Watch out for payment scams
The ISA warns that emails about fee payment come only from these two domains:
- @service-dgft.com: the message with the payment link
- @veritrans.jp: the messages sent when you choose a payment method and when your payment is completed
Other points to check:
- The payment link is sent only to the email address registered for your online application account.
- In the recipient field, a genuine email shows your authentication ID and your name as registered in the system.
- The ISA never asks you to pay by credit card or QR code. Only convenience store payment and bank transfer are used.
- The ISA never asks for any money other than the application fees set by law.
If you receive a message from any other address asking you to pay an immigration fee, do not click the link and do not pay. It is likely a scam.
Fee reductions for people in financial hardship
From October 1, 2026, a reduced fee is available for change of status, extension of stay and permanent residence. It is for people who are in financial hardship comparable to people who need public assistance (seikatsu hogo), and for whom humanitarian consideration is needed.
| Application | Reduced fee |
|---|---|
| Change of status of residence | ¥10,000 |
| Extension of period of stay | ¥10,000 |
| Permanent residence | ¥20,000 |
For permanent residence, the reduction is limited to spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents, and similar applicants.
Who may qualify
The ISA’s guidelines list cases such as the following. You must submit documents that prove your situation.
| Situation | Example of supporting documents |
|---|---|
| You currently receive public assistance | Certificate of receipt of public assistance |
| You received public assistance recently | Proof of receipt from the past two months |
| You are a returnee from China (Chugoku kikokusha) or their family member | Document confirming that status |
| Other serious financial hardship | Tax certificate (income certificate) and bank statements covering the past year |
| You live in a child welfare facility | Certificate from a child guidance center |
| You receive certain medical or disability benefits | Benefit certificate or allowance notice |
| You receive a special child-rearing allowance | Allowance notice |
Important: reductions are for counter applications only
The online system does not support fee reductions. If you want to request a reduced fee, you must apply at the counter of a regional immigration office with your supporting documents.
Fee waivers
A full waiver (no fee) is limited to a few special cases, such as a change to the Diplomat or Official status, an extension of stay for Official status holders, and certain Designated Activities for staff of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association or the Palestinian mission and their families. Most foreign residents are not covered.
Summary checklist
- ☐Can you apply by September 30, 2026? If so, the old fee applies.
- ☐Applying online from October 1? Prepare to pay by convenience store or bank transfer. No stamps, credit cards or QR payments.
- ☐Only trust payment emails from @service-dgft.com and @veritrans.jp.
- ☐Applying at the counter? Buy revenue stamps after you see the amount due.
- ☐In financial hardship? Ask for a reduced fee at the counter, with supporting documents.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. It is based on ISA notices published on August 28, 2026. Details may change, so please check the Immigration Services Agency’s website before you apply.