Immigration Procedures: What Changed from October 2026? Key Revisions Explained

As of October 1, 2026, several important changes to Japan’s immigration procedures have come into effect for foreign nationals.

Among the most significant changes are revisions to the fees for applications for Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, and Permanent Residence. In addition, the method of paying fees for online applications has changed. Furthermore, the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence have also been revised.

This article explains the major changes that took effect from October 2026.

1. Significant Revision of Fees for Change of Status and Extension of Stay Applications

For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the fees for applications for Permission to Change Status of Residence and Permission to Extend Period of Stay have been revised.

Previously, a flat fee applied regardless of the period granted. Under the new system, however, the fee is determined according to the length of the period of stay that is actually granted.

Under this revision, the fee is based not on the period requested by the applicant, but on the period ultimately approved by the Immigration Services Agency. For example, even if an applicant requests a three-year period of stay, if only a one-year period is granted, the fee applicable to the one-year category must be paid.

Please note that applications accepted on or before September 30, 2026, remain subject to the previous fee schedule, even if permission is granted on or after October 1, 2026.

“Regarding the revision of the amount of residence permit fees effective October 1, 2026” | Immigration Services Agency: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00644.html

2. Changes to the Fee Payment Method for Online Applications

For immigration applications submitted online on or after October 1, 2026, payment by revenue stamp (shunyu inshi) is no longer available.

Instead, fees must be paid through either convenience store payment services or bank payment services.

Although the government fee for online applications is set lower than that for applications submitted at an immigration office counter, separate payment processing fees may be charged under the new payment system. Therefore, applicants should compare the total amount payable depending on the payment method selected.

3. Revision of the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence

(Effective from April 2027, with Certain Provisions Already in Effect)

The Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence were revised effective October 1, 2026.

The revised Guidelines provide more detailed explanations of the requirements and review criteria for permanent residence applications and serve as an important reference for foreign nationals considering applying for permanent residence in Japan.

Below are some of the most noteworthy changes.

(1) Good Conduct Requirement

While the fundamental concept remains largely unchanged, the revised Guidelines organize the requirement as follows:

• The applicant must comply with Japanese laws and regulations.
• The applicant must not engage in conduct that is socially unacceptable in daily or community life.
• Repeated violations of the law or repeated nuisance behavior may result in a negative assessment.

(2) Financial Independence Requirement

Previously, the central concept was that:

The applicant should not be likely to become a burden on public assistance and should be expected to maintain a stable livelihood in the future based on his or her assets, skills, or other relevant factors.

Under the revised Guidelines, the following criteria are expressly stated:

• The applicant must be capable of supporting himself or herself both currently and in the future.
• The applicant must possess a financial foundation sufficient to maintain a standard of living equal to or higher than that of an average Japanese household.
• In principle, financial circumstances are assessed on a household basis.

The Guidelines further clarify that the income of a spouse or other members of the same household may be combined. However, income earned by family members who hold statuses such as Dependent and work under a permit to engage in activities outside their status of residence is not included in household income.

In addition, the required income level is expected to correspond to the size of the household, and dependent family members living overseas are also taken into consideration when determining household size.

The revised Guidelines also indicate that the amount of pension benefits expected to be received in the future may be considered when evaluating long-term financial stability. Specifically, one factor is whether the applicant is expected to receive pension benefits comparable to those of a person who has worked for 30 years at an income level exceeding the average income of a Japanese household while continuously participating in the Employees’ Pension Insurance system during that period.

Please note that the revised treatment of income-related requirements applies to applications submitted on or after April 1, 2026.

(3) National Interest Requirement

In addition to traditional considerations such as tax compliance and adherence to laws and regulations, the revised Guidelines identify the following as factors to be considered:

• Japanese language proficiency at a certain level (in principle, CEFR-J equivalent to B1 or higher under the Japanese Language Education Framework);
• School attendance status of school-age children.

The Guidelines also introduce explicit standards regarding periods spent outside Japan.

Under the revised Guidelines, a negative assessment may be made if, during the preceding ten years and without a reasonable justification, the applicant:

• Remained outside Japan for six months or longer on a single trip; or
• Accumulated a total absence from Japan of two years and six months or longer.

Summary

From October 2026, the fees for applications for Permission to Change Status of Residence, Permission to Extend Period of Stay, and Permission for Permanent Residence have been revised. In addition, the method of paying fees for online immigration applications has changed.

The Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence were also revised effective October 1, 2026. Certain provisions relating to income requirements have been applied retroactively to applications filed on or after April 1, 2026, while the remaining revisions will generally take effect from April 1, 2027.

Individuals considering applying for permanent residence, or planning to file applications for extension or change of status, should carefully review the latest requirements and procedures before proceeding with their applications.