Is the Cost of Getting a Japanese Visa High? A Comparison from a Foreign National’s Perspective

For foreign nationals who wish to live, work, or bring family members to Japan, visa and residence costs are an important practical issue.

In conclusion, Japan’s official visa and residence fees are relatively low compared with many major countries. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the visa fee is generally about JPY 3,000 for a single-entry visa and about JPY 6,000 for a double-entry or multiple-entry visa. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the fee for a change of status or extension of period of stay is JPY 6,000 when approved, or JPY 5,500 for online applications. The fee for permanent residence permission is JPY 10,000 when approved.

However, the real cost for foreign nationals is not limited to government fees. Translations, certificates, transportation, professional fees, coordination with employers, and the risk of refusal or reapplication may all affect the total burden.

1. Japan’s official fees are relatively low

In Japan, many residence-related fees are paid by revenue stamp when permission is granted. Typical examples are as follows.

Procedure	Approximate Japanese government fee	Practical point
Visa issued outside Japan	About JPY 3,000 for single-entry About JPY 6,000 for multiple-entry	Low compared with many major countries
Change of status of residence	JPY 6,000 JPY 5,500 online	Paid when permission is granted
Extension of period of stay	JPY 6,000 JPY 5,500 online	Repeated one-year renewals may increase the practical burden
Permanent residence permission	JPY 10,000	Very low compared with many permanent residence routes abroad

From the viewpoint of government fees alone, Japan can be described as a relatively low-cost country for visa and residence procedures.

2. In many countries, upfront costs are much higher

In several major countries, applicants must pay higher application fees at the time of filing. In some systems, additional health surcharges, biometrics fees, employer sponsorship fees, or legal fees may also be required.

Country / Region	Typical fee structure	Practical point for applicants
United States	Many nonimmigrant visa fees are US$185 or US$205	Employment-based routes may also involve employer-side costs and attorney fees
United Kingdom	Skilled Worker visa application fees plus IHS, usually £1,035 per year	The total cost can be very high, especially with dependants
Canada	Application fees plus biometrics fees may apply	Often higher than Japan, but generally less extreme than the UK
Schengen Area	Short-stay visa fee: €90 for adults	Even short-stay visa fees are higher than Japan’s basic single-entry visa fee
Australia	Visa application charges vary by subclass; sponsorship or nomination fees may apply	Skilled routes may also require English tests, health checks, and skills assessments

The United Kingdom is a clear example of a high-cost immigration system, especially because the Immigration Health Surcharge is usually calculated for each year of stay. In the United States, the applicant’s visa fee is only one part of the total cost in many employment-based cases.

3. Japan is inexpensive, but not necessarily easy

Japan’s government fees are low, but immigration screening can be detailed. The Immigration Services Agency may examine the applicant’s residence history, actual job duties, employer stability, tax payment, social insurance status, and consistency of submitted documents.

Foreign nationals should consider the following practical costs:

• Obtaining birth certificates, marriage certificates, graduation certificates, or employment records
• Japanese translations of foreign-language documents
• Tax certificates, residence records, and other municipal documents
• Time spent attending the Immigration Bureau or responding to additional document requests
• Professional fees for administrative scriveners or other specialists
• Costs and risks if an application is refused and reapplication becomes necessary

Therefore, Japan should not simply be described as an “easy and cheap” country. It is more accurate to say that official fees are low, but document preparation and consistency are very important.

4. Repeated one-year renewals can become costly

One important issue in Japan is the burden of repeated one-year renewals.

The government fee for one extension is not high. However, if a foreign national receives only one-year periods of stay repeatedly, the applicant must prepare documents, obtain company materials, collect tax certificates, and respond to immigration procedures every year.

For many applicants, the anxiety and administrative burden of annual renewals may feel heavier than the government fee itself.

In practice, it is important to improve the factors that may support a longer period of stay, such as stable employment, appropriate job duties, income level, tax compliance, social insurance, and a consistent residence history.

5. Japan’s fees may increase in the future

Japan revised certain residence procedure fees from April 1, 2025. There are also discussions and proposals concerning possible increases in statutory fee ceilings for immigration procedures.

The exact future fee amounts are not fixed at this stage. However, given the increase in foreign residents, the need to strengthen immigration administration, and the cost of examination systems, Japan may not remain a very low-cost immigration jurisdiction forever.

Foreign nationals, employers, and supporters should consider future fee changes when planning renewals, permanent residence applications, family applications, and professional support costs.

6. Practical advice

For stable residence in Japan, applicants should not focus only on the filing fee. They should also review the following points in advance:

• Whether the current residence status matches the actual activities in Japan
• Whether any job change, resignation, or leave of absence can be properly explained
• Whether income, tax payment, and social insurance records are consistent
• Whether the employer’s business and the applicant’s job duties match the residence status
• Whether repeated one-year renewals can be improved
• Whether permanent residence requirements and documents should be checked early

Conclusion

From the viewpoint of foreign nationals, Japan’s official visa and residence fees are relatively low compared with the United States, the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, Canada, and Australia.

However, the total burden depends on document preparation, translations, professional fees, employer coordination, renewal frequency, and the risk of refusal. A low government fee does not necessarily mean that the procedure is simple.

For those who wish to live in Japan long term, it is important to manage residence status strategically, including future renewals, longer periods of stay, permanent residence, and family applications.

References

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Visa Fees
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Revision of Fees for Residence Procedures
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Change of Status of Residence
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Extension of Period of Stay
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Permanent Residence Permission
• U.S. Department of State: Fees for Visa Services
• GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa – How much it costs
• European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa