Japan raises permanent residency fee 20-fold as foreign population hits record

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1. 2h ago

   Japan raises permanent residency fee 20-fold to 200,000 yen

   Japan has increased the application fee for permanent residency from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. The price hike, which took effect on Thursday, is part of a broader effort to manage a record-high foreign population. Beyond the cost increase, the government has tightened requirements regarding income, pensions, and language proficiency. Additionally, fees for renewing or changing residency status are now tiered based on the length of the applicant's stay. These changes aim to tighten immigration controls amid growing anxiety over the increasing number of foreign nationals.

   Why it matters

   The policy shift comes as Japan faces a record number of foreign residents. These stricter rules and higher costs may influence whether foreign businesses continue to operate or invest in the country.

   What is confirmed

   • Japan raised the permanent residency application fee from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.
   • The fee increase for permanent residency is 20-fold.
   • New residency fee hikes took effect on Thursday.
   • Applicants for permanent residency now face tougher requirements for language, pension, and income.
   • Fees for renewing or changing residency status are now tiered by length of stay.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The fee increase is driven by anxiety over foreigners.
   • Tougher visa rules are prompting foreign businesses to look for locations outside Japan.
   • The fee for migrants was raised by 3,000 percent.

   What to watch next

   • Data on the number of permanent residency applications following the fee hike
   • Official government statements on specific tiered fee amounts for renewals
   • Reports on foreign business investment shifts resulting from visa changes
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Japan Today — Japan to hike residency visa issuance fees from Thursday
   2. The New York Times — Japan Raises Residency Fees 2,000 Percent Amid ‘Anxiety’ Over Foreigners
   3. nhk.or.jp — Japan raises residence permit procedure fees
   4. The Telegraph — Japan raises residency fees for migrants by 3,000pc
   5. Tokyo Paladin with Jake Adelstein — The Unwelcome (Tatami) Mat
   6. The Japan Times — Missed the JLPT? Here’s what you can do next
   7. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Japan raises permanent residency fee 20-fold as foreign population hits record
   8. www.bbc.com — Japan raises permanent residency fees for foreign nationals by twenty-fold
   9. South China Morning Post — No more welcome mat? Japan’s tough visa rules spur foreign businesses to look elsewhere
   10. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Japan raises permanent residency fee 20-fold as foreign population hits record
   11. mainichi.jp — Japan hikes residency fees for foreign nationals - The Mainichi
   12. jen.jiji.com — Maria Lukyanova wins bronze at table tennis tournament in Egypt
   confidence 90%