Tokyo, Japan – The Japanese government has approved a sweeping package of changes to visa fees and residency and immigration procedures, marking the first comprehensive overhaul of its kind since 1978. This move is part of a policy aimed at modernizing the immigration system and keeping pace with economic changes.
The changes include raising the fee for a single-entry short-term visa to approximately 15,000 yen, up from around 3,000 yen. Meanwhile, the fee for a multiple-entry visa will increase to approximately 30,000 yen, a significant rise compared to previous years.
The changes also include significant increases in some permanent residency fees and renewal procedures, with increases in some categories reaching nearly 2,900%. This is one of the most extensive repricings of immigration services in Japan in recent decades.
Japanese authorities say the move aims to bolster the immigration services budget and develop its administrative infrastructure. It also seeks to fund programs supporting foreigners, such as language courses and integration services, given the growing number of foreign residents and workers in the country.
These measures come amidst a challenging economic context, including rising operating costs and changes in the Japanese labor market. Furthermore, there is an official push to readjust immigration policies to better suit the needs of the future.
