Are Japan’s Immigration Fees Becoming Expensive? A Comparison with the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany and the U.K.
Are Japan’s Immigration Fees Becoming Expensive?
A Comparison with the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany and the U.K.
Japan may increase immigration-related fees for change of status, extension of stay and permanent residence. However, Japan’s current system is different from many other countries because these fees are generally paid when permission is granted, not when the application is filed.
この記事は日本語でも読めます。
日本語版を読むIn short, Japan may no longer be seen as a country with very low government fees for immigration procedures. But Japan still has an important feature: under the current system, key residence-related fees are generally paid only when permission is granted.
For change of status, extension of stay and permanent residence, fees are generally paid when permission is granted.
The issue is less about losing a fee after refusal, and more about preparing a larger amount when permission is granted.
Employers may need to review whether renewal and change fees will be paid by the employee, the company, or both.
1. Japan’s current system is closer to a “payment upon permission” model
Under Japan’s current system, the fee for change of status of residence and extension of period of stay is paid when permission is granted. The current fee is JPY 6,000 for counter applications and JPY 5,500 for online applications. For permanent residence, the fee is JPY 10,000 when permission is granted.
This is an important difference when comparing Japan with other major destination countries. For these procedures, Japan is not currently a system where the applicant pays a government processing fee at the time of filing and loses it even if the application is refused.
Official references: The Immigration Services Agency of Japan states that the fee is required “when permission is granted” for change of status, extension of stay and permanent residence.
Change of Status of Residence｜Immigration Services Agency
Extension of Period of Stay｜Immigration Services Agency
Permanent Residence｜Immigration Services Agency
2. What would change if Japan raises immigration fees?
On March 10, 2026, the Japanese Cabinet approved a bill that includes measures to raise the statutory ceiling for certain residence-related fees. This does not mean that all fees immediately become the maximum amount. The actual amounts are expected to be set later by Cabinet Order or other implementing rules.
The practical impact is not mainly that applicants will lose a large government fee after refusal. If Japan keeps the current payment structure, the more important issue is that applicants, families and employers will need to prepare a larger amount after permission is granted, before the new residence card is received.
Important: The final actual fee amounts and effective date should not be overstated. It is safer to explain that the legal framework is moving toward allowing higher fees, while the exact amount must be confirmed when the implementing rules are issued.
3. Comparison with major destination countries
In countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom, applicants often pay a processing fee or visa application charge when they apply, and many of those fees are not refunded even if the application is refused. This is a major difference from Japan’s current permission-stage payment model.
| Country / Region | Main payment timing | If refused | Practical view |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Currently upon permission | For change, extension and permanent residence, the revenue stamp fee is usually not paid if refused | Even after a fee increase, Japan may remain different because of its payment timing. |
| United States | At filing, petition or visa application stage | USCIS filing fees and visa application processing fees are generally non-refundable | The risk includes both high cost and loss of fees if the process does not succeed. |
| Canada | At application stage | Processing and biometric fees are not refunded; the open work permit holder fee may be refunded if refused | Application-stage cost is clear, but some components may be refundable. |
| Australia | First instalment at application; second instalment before grant | The first instalment is usually not refunded; the second is not payable if refusal occurs before payment | It is a split-payment system, but the first instalment is still an application-stage burden. |
| Germany | At application stage | Generally treated as a processing fee | The amount may be relatively low, but the fee structure is different from Japan. |
| United Kingdom | At application stage | Application fees are often not refunded; IHS may be refunded if refused | The upfront cash burden can be substantial, especially for families. |
4. Key points by country
United States: high filing and petition-related costs
In the United States, USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable regardless of the result of the application or petition. Petition-based visa categories such as H visas also require a non-refundable application processing fee at the visa application stage.
USCIS Fee Rule FAQ ／ U.S. Visa Fees｜travel.state.gov
Canada: processing-fee model with some refundable elements
For Canadian work permits, applicants may pay a work permit processing fee, an open work permit holder fee and a biometric fee. Processing and biometric fees are not refunded regardless of the final decision, while the open work permit holder fee is refunded if the application is refused.
Applying for a Work Permit outside Canada｜Canada.ca
Australia: first instalment at application stage
Australia’s Visa Application Charge may be payable in two instalments. The first instalment is paid when the application is made, while the second instalment is paid before the visa is granted if required. The first instalment is usually not refunded even if the application is refused or withdrawn.
Explanation of visa application charges｜Australian Government ／ Refunds｜Australian Government
Germany: relatively low amount, but still a processing-fee model
A German national visa generally costs EUR 75. Although the amount is not extremely high, the structure is still different from Japan’s current permission-stage payment model.
§ 46 Aufenthaltsverordnung｜gesetze-im-internet.de
United Kingdom: application fee and IHS must be separated
For the U.K. Skilled Worker visa, the applicant must pay an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. IHS may be refunded if the visa application is refused, but the application fee is often not refundable depending on the stage of the process.
5. Impact on families and employers
If Japan’s fees increase, the impact will be significant for families who renew together and for people applying for permanent residence as a family. Even if each individual fee seems manageable, the total amount can become large when several family members are involved.
Employers should also review whether immigration-related fees will be paid by the employee, covered by the company, or shared. In sectors that depend on foreign workers, such as specified skilled worker fields, care work, food service, accommodation, construction and transportation, fee support may become part of recruitment competitiveness.
6. Conclusion: Japan may shift from “low-fee country” to “larger payment upon permission”
If Japan’s immigration fees are increased, Japan may no longer be described as a country with very low government fees for residence procedures. The impact will be particularly important for people who renew frequently, families renewing together and people seeking permanent residence.
However, Japan’s current system remains different from many other countries. For change of status, extension of stay and permanent residence, the fee is generally paid when permission is granted, not when the application is filed.
Therefore, the main impact is not that applicants will lose a large government fee when refused. The more important issue is that, after permission is granted, the applicant, family or employer must be ready to pay a larger amount before receiving the new residence card.
Prepare early for change, renewal and permanent residence
When preparing an immigration application in Japan, it is important to consider not only the fee amount, but also the likelihood of permission, period of stay, family members, employer cooperation and long-term residence planning.
Tommy’s Legal Service supports foreign residents and employers by reviewing the applicant’s situation, employer-side documents and practical immigration risks.
