Immigration Policy
Updates on Japan’s immigration laws, guidelines and fees, and what they mean for applicants.
24 articles
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Permanent Residence and the New Household Income Standard: Our Reference Estimate by Household Size (2026)
The revised guidelines compare your household income with the average for Japanese households of the same size, but publish no figures. Here is our reference range, built from public statistics.
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Japan’s permanent residence guidelines have been revised: what changed on October 1, 2026
Japan revised its permanent residence guidelines on October 1, 2026. New income, pension, Japanese B1 and spouse rules, and when each one applies.
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Paying the new visa fees from October 1, 2026: online payment, reductions and waivers
From October 1, 2026, online visa fees are paid by convenience store or bank transfer, not stamps. Which fee applies, how to pay, and who can get a reduction.
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Japan’s Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management: what it could mean for foreign residents
Japan's Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control (July 2026): what it may mean for your taxes, permanent residence, work visa and student status.
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Japan May Tighten Income Requirements for the “Highly Skilled Professional” (HSP) Visa
Japan may raise income requirements for the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa, possibly by March 2027. What has been reported and what is unconfirmed.
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Overview of the Draft Revisions to the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence
Our translation of the overview of the draft PR guideline revisions published on August 4, 2026. The revised guidelines took effect on October 1, 2026.
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Fees for Change of Status, Extension of Stay, and Permanent Residence to Increase from October, 2026
Since October 1, 2026, fees for extension, change of status and permanent residence have risen sharply, with PR fees reaching ¥200,000. See the new fee tiers.
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Special Permission to Land: What the 2025 Case Examples Show
What do the 14 Special Permission to Land case examples from 2025 reveal? We analyze why some were permitted and others denied.
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Special Permission to Stay: What the 2025 Case Examples Show
23 Special Permission to Stay case examples from 2025: how self-reporting, criminal records and years in Japan shaped the outcome. Our analysis of the data.
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ESI Visa 2026: Key Changes at a Glance
Three ESI visa changes in 2026: stricter job-duty lines vs. Specified Skilled Worker, new documents for dispatched workers, and Japanese-language proof.
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