Visa Renewal Japan 2026: New Fees (October 1), Documents & How to Apply

Visa renewal in Japan now costs 10,000 to 75,000 yen at the counter. The new fees took effect on October 1, 2026. Until then, a renewal cost a flat 6,000 yen, or 5,500 yen online.

Your fee now depends on the period of stay the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) grants. A 1-year renewal costs 33,000 yen, and a 5-year renewal costs 75,000 yen. Permanent residency costs 200,000 yen.

Applications received by September 30, 2026 still pay the old fee, even if approval comes later.

Applicants can submit a visa renewal, formally an extension of period of stay, up to three months before their current visa expires, either at a regional immigration bureau or through the ISA's Online Residence Application System, which was rebuilt on January 5, 2026.

This article walks through the new application fee, the required documents by visa type, the new online application process, and what happens if a renewal is delayed or rejected.

👉 Read also: Japan E-Visa: The Complete Guide to Applying Online (2026) and An Easy Guide To The Certificate of Eligibility Japan

Key facts at a glance

Japan visa renewal fees in 2026: The new application fee

Visa renewal fees in Japan changed on October 1, 2026. Two things now decide what you pay:

• Receipt date: applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee.
• Period of stay granted: for newer applications, a longer stay costs more.

👉 Read also: Japan Immigration News: What Every Foreign Resident Needs to Know (August 2026)

What changed for the extension of period of stay fee on April 1, 2025

Image source: ISA Japan

Effective April 1, 2025, the Immigration Services Agency raised the application fee for extension of period of stay and change of status of residence from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen for in-person filing, with a slightly lower 5,500 yen rate for online application. The permanent residence application fee rose from 8,000 yen to 10,000 yen at the same time. These fees applied until September 30, 2026. They still apply to applications received by that date.

At the counter, you pay with a revenue stamp (収入印紙, shunyu inshi). You buy it after approval and attach it when you collect your new residence card. Immigration offices, post offices and many convenience stores sell revenue stamps.

Online applicants cannot use revenue stamps. They pay by convenience store or bank transfer, plus a small settlement fee.

The new fee table from October 1, 2026

In November 2025, the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans for a much larger increase. Japan's foreign resident population later hit a record 4,125,395 at the end of 2025.

The plan became law in 2026.

On May 29, 2026, the Diet passed an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act raising the statutory upper limit for these fees, a legal ceiling that had not moved since 1982, to 100,000 yen for extension and change of status applications and 300,000 yen for permanent residence. The amendment was promulgated on June 5, 2026.

The ISA published the draft fee order on July 3, 2026. The Cabinet approved the final fee order on August 25, 2026.

The flat fee is gone. Your fee now depends on the period of stay granted, with a lower rate online:

The permanent residence application fee rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. That is a twenty-fold increase, though still below the new 300,000 yen legal cap.

Longer stays cost less per year. The ISA explains that people granted long stays generally have good residence records. It also says the benefit from immigration services varies with the length of stay.

The new fees apply to applications received from October 1, 2026. You learn your exact fee only after the decision, because it depends on the period granted.

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If the immigration office received your application by September 30, 2026, you pay the old fee. The Immigration Services Agency has stated directly that this holds even if approval comes on or after October 1.

This means the receipt date, not the approval date, decides which fee you pay.

A reduced fee is available for applicants facing financial hardship. It lowers the fee to 10,000 yen for an extension or change of more than 3 months, and to 20,000 yen for permanent residence.

You must meet two tests:

• Financial hardship close to the level that qualifies for public assistance
• A humanitarian reason, such as refugee status, being a spouse of a Japanese national, or being a single parent

The ISA published the final eligibility guideline on August 25, 2026.

The reduced fee is not available online. If you are claiming it, apply at the counter with your supporting documents.

When to apply for your Japan visa renewal before your expiry date

If your current period of stay is 6 months or longer, you can submit your visa renewal application from three months before it expires. In special cases, such as study abroad or childbirth, the bureau may accept an earlier application. Applying at the earliest possible date is generally the safer choice, because processing times vary.

The special period: How your current visa stays valid

If you submit your extension of period of stay application before your current visa's expiry date, Japanese immigration law grants you a special period: your current status of residence stays valid for up to two months past the original expiry date, or until a decision is issued, whichever comes first.

During the special period you can continue working and living in Japan exactly as your current visa permits. This is the rule that prevents someone from becoming an illegal resident simply because the immigration office has not finished processing their file yet.

The special period only applies if you filed before your visa expired. Missing that window changes your situation considerably, so treat the expiry date as a hard deadline for submission, not for approval.

👉 Read also: A Simple Reentry Permit Guide for Japan For Foreign Residents

Processing time at the immigration bureau and why it varies

Official ISA guidance describes processing times for a standard extension of period of stay as roughly two weeks to one month once your application documents are complete. However, timelines vary depending on jurisdiction, visa type, and time of year.

Applications at busier bureaus, and any application filed during the March to April peak season when work and student visas turn over at once, tend to take noticeably longer than the standard guidance suggests. The immigration bureau does not provide status updates mid-review, so build in a buffer rather than assuming the fastest-case timeline.

The ISA also publishes monthly average processing days for residence applications. Recent figures show many renewals take more than a month. Some patterns are also widely reported anecdotally. For example, spouse and dependent visa renewals, which involve a smaller supporting-document set, are often described as moving somewhat faster than work visa renewals, which require verifying employment, tax, and income records.

Permanent residence applications are the outlier, with current processing in Tokyo commonly exceeding a year regardless of category.

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Required documents for Japan visa renewal by visa type

The documents required for an extension of period of stay vary depending on your current visa status and individual circumstances, but a core set of application documents applies to nearly everyone.

Required documents and application form for all visa types

• Valid passport
• Current residence card (zairyu card, 在留カード)
• Application form for extension of period of stay (在留期間更新許可申請書, zairyu kikan koshin kyoka shinseisho)
• One photograph, 4cm by 3cm, taken within the last three months against a plain background
• Revenue stamp for the application fee, bought after approval (counter applications only)

Note that the exact documents listed for your case can vary depending on your visa type, your employer or school, and your individual circumstances, so always refer to the checklist for your specific status of residence before your appointment.

Necessary documents for work visas (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)

Applicants on a work visa typically need to prepare additional documents beyond the general list:

• Certificate of employment from your current employer
• Certificate of residence tax payment (住民税納税証明書, juminzei nozei shomeisho), which confirms you have no residence tax arrears
• Recent payslips or a certificate of income
• A letter explaining any change in job duties, employer, or salary since your last renewal

👉 Not sure which job category your visa covers? See our breakdown of high-demand jobs and their visa pathways.

Highly skilled professional (HSP) visa renewal

Highly Skilled Professional visa holders generally submit the same core documents as other work visa applicants, plus items specific to the points-based system that qualifies them for the status:

• A recalculated Highly Skilled Professional points table confirming you still meet the required point threshold
• Certificate of employment confirming continued work in the qualifying role
• Certificate of residence tax payment, reviewed closely given the additional privileges tied to HSP status

Because HSP status comes with benefits like longer periods of stay and a faster route to permanent residence, the immigration bureau's compliance checks on tax and income documentation tend to be strict, so keep your residence tax certificates and payslips current well before your renewal date.

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Spouse visa renewal in Japan

Spouse visa holders need documents that show the family relationship and the household's finances. The ISA checklist for a spouse of a Japanese national lists these, plus the application form and photo:

• Family register (戸籍謄本, koseki tohon) of the Japanese spouse
• Letter of guarantee (身元保証書, mimoto hoshosho) from the Japanese spouse
• Residence certificate (住民票, juminhyo) listing everyone in the household
• The latest residence tax certificate and tax payment certificate of the person who supports the household

If those certificates cannot show your support, for example after a recent move, add a bank book copy or a job offer letter. Spouses of permanent residents follow a similar list.

Source: ISA checklist, spouse of a Japanese national, extension.

Spouse visa renewal in Japan draws close scrutiny of financial support because the immigration bureau wants evidence that the couple can sustain the household without relying on public assistance. If your household income has dropped since your last renewal, be prepared to explain the change and to provide additional documents such as savings statements or a letter from your employer confirming continued employment.

👉 Read also: Getting Married in Japan: Easy Guide + Checklist and How to Retire in Japan As a Foreigner: A Comprehensive Guide

Dependent and family visa renewal: Status of residence requirements

A dependent visa, granted to a family member of a work or student visa holder, generally requires:

• Proof of the family relationship to the primary visa holder
• Evidence that the primary visa holder's own current visa is being renewed or remains valid
• Proof of the primary visa holder's continued financial support for the dependent family member

Student visas and cultural activities status

Student visa holders renewing their status typically submit a certificate of enrollment status from their university confirming continued enrollment status, along with proof of academic progress and, where relevant, evidence of financial support from a sponsor or scholarship.

Applicants on a cultural activities visa, a smaller category covering unpaid study of Japanese arts, language, or culture, need a letter from their sponsoring institution describing the activities and confirming the arrangement continues.

Visa renewal Japan: Applying in person vs. online

Every applicant can choose between the traditional in-person process at an immigration office and the ISA's online application system, if you hold a My Number card.

Applying in person at the Immigration Bureau for your new residence card

1. Confirm the immigration bureau with jurisdiction over your registered address; this is not necessarily the nearest office to where you work.
2. Gather all required documents listed for your specific visa type in advance, since incomplete applications are typically turned away rather than accepted with a note to follow up later.
3. Submit the application form, passport, residence card, and supporting documents at the counter.
4. Collect a receipt with a processing number, then return on the date specified to pick up your new residence card and pay the application fee with a revenue stamp.

Tokyo's main immigration office in Shinagawa is the busiest in the country and draws applicants from a wide jurisdiction across the city. Arriving before opening, avoiding late March and early April when student and work visa turnover peaks, and using the online reservation system where available can meaningfully reduce your wait.

👉 Read also: A Simple Residence Card Renewal Japan Guide For Foreigners

Applying online: Submitting Your application documents through the ISA system

Image source: ISA Japan

The ISA relaunched its Online Residence Application System on January 5, 2026, with several improvements aimed at reducing repeat trips to the immigration office.

Who is eligible for online application?

Since March 2022, foreign nationals can apply online themselves if they hold a My Number card. Employers, schools, lawyers and gyoseishoshi can also file on an applicant's behalf.

A family member can apply on someone's behalf only in limited cases, such as for an applicant under 16. Check the ISA's current rules before you start.

What changed on January 5, 2026

The system now allows larger attachments, up to 25MB, and multiple file attachments in a single application, where the previous version accepted only one file. Applicants can also save an in-progress application as an XML file and resume it later, which is useful for anyone still waiting on a document like a certificate of residence tax payment.

You can also now verify your My Number card with a smartphone, so you no longer need a card reader.

One important note from the ISA: applications submitted before December 2025 may no longer appear in the new system's application history, so print or save your records from the old system if you need them.

How to submit your residence card by mail

Once your online extension of period of stay is approved, you typically mail your current residence card to the immigration bureau using a registered, trackable service such as Letterpack, then receive your new residence card by return mail once it has been issued.

Typical turnaround for online applicants in 2026 has generally run close to the standard published processing time, though individual circumstances and document completeness still matter more than the filing method itself.

What happens if your Japan visa renewal is rejected?

Rejections are not common. However, the ISA has tightened compliance checks in 2026, especially on residence tax and social insurance payments.

Common reasons a renewal application is denied include:

• Unpaid or overdue residence tax
• A gap in health insurance enrollment or unpaid premiums
• A change of job, employer, or visa-relevant activity that was never reported to the immigration bureau
• Missing or inconsistent required documents, including outdated certificates of employment or enrollment status

If your application is refused, the bureau sends a notice asking you to come in. An officer then tells you the result and explains the reason.

In most cases, you can switch to Designated Activities to prepare to leave Japan. This status usually lasts 30 days or less.

Depending on the reason, you may be able to reapply with additional documents. You can also challenge the decision in court. Talk to an immigration lawyer or a registered gyoseishoshi before you decide.

Someone whose renewal is denied and whose current visa has already expired can become an illegal resident if they do not act quickly, so treat any rejection notice as urgent, not something to open later.

Note that the letters and certificates that determine approval, residence tax certificates, health insurance renewal notices, and employer documents almost always arrive by post at your registered address.

Foreign residents who travel frequently, move often, or simply cannot check a physical mailbox regularly are more likely to miss one of these documents and face an avoidable delay or rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Japan visa renewal cost in 2026?

Since October 1, 2026, a visa renewal, formally an extension of period of stay, costs 10,000 to 75,000 yen at the counter. The fee depends on the period of stay granted. A 1-year renewal costs 33,000 yen, and a 5-year renewal costs 75,000 yen. Online fees run from 10,000 to 65,000 yen, and permanent residence costs 200,000 yen.

I applied before October 1, 2026. Which fee do I pay?

You pay the old fee if the immigration office received your application by September 30, 2026. That is 6,000 yen at the counter, 5,500 yen online, or 10,000 yen for permanent residence. The rule holds even if approval comes after October 1. The receipt date decides the fee, not the approval date.

How do I pay the visa renewal fee in Japan?

At the counter, you pay with a revenue stamp after approval, when you collect your new residence card. Post offices and many convenience stores sell revenue stamps. Online applicants cannot use revenue stamps. They pay by convenience store or bank transfer, plus a small settlement fee.

What documents do I need for Japan visa renewal?

Every applicant needs a valid passport, residence card, completed application form and a 4cm by 3cm photo. Counter applicants also need a revenue stamp after approval. Additional documents vary depending on your visa status. Work visa holders typically need an employment certificate and a residence tax certificate. Spouse visa holders need the Japanese spouse’s family register, a letter of guarantee and proof of financial support.

How long does Japan visa renewal take?

The Immigration Services Agency gives a standard processing time of two weeks to one month. Its published monthly averages show many renewals take longer. Busier bureaus, such as Tokyo's Shinagawa office, and the March to April peak add time.

Can I renew my Japan visa online?

Yes, if you hold a My Number card. Since March 2022, foreign nationals can apply online themselves through the ISA's Online Residence Application System, rebuilt on January 5, 2026. Employers, schools and gyoseishoshi can also file on your behalf. Online fees are lower for most periods of stay, but you pay by convenience store or bank, not by revenue stamp. Reduced fees cannot be claimed online.

What is the special period for Japan visa renewal?

The special period lets you stay under your current visa status while your renewal is under review. It applies only if you applied before your current visa's expiry date. It lasts up to two months past that date, or until a decision, whichever comes first. You can keep working and living in Japan as your visa permits.

What are the requirements for spouse visa renewal in Japan?

Spouse visa renewal needs the general documents listed for all visa types. You also need the Japanese spouse’s family register, a letter of guarantee from that spouse and a household residence certificate. Add the sponsor’s latest residence tax certificates as proof of financial support. If household income has dropped since your last renewal, prepare additional documents that explain the change.

What happens if my Japan visa renewal is rejected?

The bureau asks you to come in, and an officer explains the reason in person. Common reasons include unpaid residence tax, a health insurance gap or an unreported job change. In most cases, you can switch to Designated Activities, usually for 30 days or less, to prepare to leave. You may also reapply with additional documents or challenge the decision in court.

What happens if my Japan visa renewal is taking too long?

A wait beyond two weeks to one month does not mean anything is wrong. If you applied before your expiry date, the special period keeps your current status valid. Contact the bureau only if it has asked for additional documents you have not yet sent.

In closing

Visa renewal in Japan now costs 10,000 to 75,000 yen at the counter, depending on the period of stay granted. Permanent residence costs 200,000 yen. Applications received by September 30, 2026 still pay the old fee.

File up to three months before your current period of stay expires. Confirm the required documents for your visa status early, because individual circumstances change what you need.

This article is a general guide and does not replace advice from a licensed immigration lawyer or gyoseishoshi for a complicated case, particularly if your renewal has already been rejected or if you are at risk of becoming an illegal resident.

Sources (checked October 1, 2026)

• Fee revision leaflet, effective October 1, 2026, Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Fee revision notice and the old-fee rule (October 1, 2026), Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
• Fee reduction and exemption from October 1, 2026, Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
• Extension of period of stay procedure, Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Online Residence Application System, Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Special period explained, JETRO