
Japan will sharply raise fees for permanent residence and other visa procedures from October 1, following a cabinet decision. The fee to obtain permanent residence will jump from Rs 5,300 (10,000 yen)…
Japan will sharply raise fees for permanent residence and other visa procedures from October 1, following a cabinet decision. The fee to obtain permanent residence will jump from Rs 5,300 (10,000 yen) to Rs 1.06 lakh (200,000 yen). Applications must be completed in person.

The fee for renewing or changing residence status will also rise. For a five-year or longer stay, the cost will go up to Rs 39,900 at a counter and Rs 34,600 online, from the current Rs 3,200. The government said it would grant fee relief for applicants facing financial difficulties, including those recognised as refugees.
Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi said the increases were needed to promote an orderly society that coexists with foreign nationals. The changes accompany a revision to Japan's immigration control act.
Japan has historically kept residence fees low compared with other wealthy economies. The 20-fold jump for permanent residency brings it closer to the typical cost in countries such as Australia or Canada. Refugee applicants still receive a fee waiver, a nod to international obligations. The hike comes as Japan debates managed immigration amid a shrinking workforce. The Immigration Services Agency will enforce the new rates from October 1, the same day the revised immigration control act takes effect. The Justice Ministry has not yet published the criteria for fee reductions it promised to hardship cases.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.