Japan Immigration News: What Every Foreign Resident Needs to Know (October 2026)

If you're a foreign resident in Japan, you've probably seen the headlines. New fees. Stricter enforcement. A tougher path to permanent residency. It's fair to wonder what any of it means for you.

Japan immigration news moved fast in 2026. On October 1, 2026, two major changes took effect for foreign residents:

• New visa fees, from 10,000 yen to 75,000 yen, plus 200,000 yen for permanent residency
• Revised permanent residency guidelines with a household income test

They follow five earlier moves by the government:

• Approved 226 new immigration positions in July 2026
• Enacted the law creating JESTA, an electronic travel authorization, in May 2026
• Published a new immigration basic plan on July 31, 2026
• Raised the naturalization residency rule from 5 to 10 years in April 2026
• Set April 1, 2027 as the start date for PR revocation rules, by Cabinet Order in 2025

This article explains each change and when it takes effect. It also explains what foreign residents should do now.

At a Glance: The numbers behind the 2026 changes

Japan's Immigration Basic Plan 2026

On July 31, 2026, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) published its second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residency Management. It is the first new plan since April 2019. The plan sets six basic policies, and the ISA will review it about every five years.

Five key measures in the plan

Five measures matter most for foreign residents:

• JESTA for short-stay visitors. The plan formally introduces the electronic travel authorization system, screening visa-exempt travelers before they arrive.
• My Number data sharing. In the coming years, authorities will cross-reference the My Number system, Japan's national ID number, with tax and insurance data.
• Stricter enforcement against illegal stays. This includes the staffing increase and enforcement tools covered later in this article.
• Trial learning programs for foreign residents. These are new programs meant to help residents adjust to Japanese language, systems, and daily life.
• A push toward "zero illegal stay." This is the government's stated long-term target for unauthorized residency, not a claim that it has already been reached.

What does this initiative mean for legal foreign nationals?

For legal foreign residents, the practical result is stricter compliance checks at renewal time. Immigration officers may look more closely at documents that verify your actual living conditions, not just the paperwork describing them.

This applies to two filings:

1. The extension of period of stay (a standard visa renewal)
2. Change of status of residence (switching visa categories)

The plan does not target people who already follow the rules. Its goal is the orderly acceptance of foreign nationals with stronger enforcement against people who violate their visa terms.

Why is Japan adding 226 immigration officers?

Japan approved 226 new immigration positions on July 28, 2026, for two key reasons.

1. The foreign resident population has reached record levels.
2. The Justice Minister cited the need for faster, stricter residence screening.

The added staff are meant to speed up residency screening and step up enforcement against visa overstayers and misuse.

The numbers behind the decision

The Cabinet approved the increase on July 28, 2026. It covers 176 immigration inspectors and 50 immigration control officers, mainly at the Tokyo bureau.

Japan had 68,488 known overstayers on January 1, 2026, down 8.5% in a year. The ISA plans to fill the new positions by March 2027. Its staff quota rises to 6,903.

How does this affect legal residents?

For legal residents, these enforcement efforts do not change anything directly. They focus on people who have overstayed their visas or are working outside their allowed visa activities. While the numbers may seem large, the group affected is much smaller than the overall foreign resident community.

Japan visa fee increases: What changed on October 1, 2026

The old fees

Until September 30, 2026, a visa renewal or change cost a flat 6,000 yen at the counter. Online, it cost 5,500 yen, no matter how long your new visa ran.

The Cabinet approved new fees on August 25, 2026. The ISA confirmed the change on August 28.

The new fees from October 1, 2026

The flat fee is gone. Your fee now depends on the period of stay you are granted. Longer stays cost more in total but less per year. The Immigration Services Agency's own page explains the change.

Here are the new fees by period of stay:

Three payment rules changed too:

• You learn the exact fee only after the decision, because it depends on the period granted.
• Online applicants pay by convenience store or bank transfer only, plus a small settlement fee.
• Revenue stamps work only at the counter. The PR fee is paid by revenue stamp.

In dollar terms, that runs from roughly $65 to about $490 for standard renewals. Permanent residency would run around $1,300.

👉 For the full breakdown of documents, timing, and step-by-step filing advice, see MailMate's Japan Visa Renewal 2026 guide.

What is the grandfathering rule?

A grandfathering rule lets you keep an old price after new rules take effect. Japan's fee change includes one. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee.

This holds even if the decision arrives after October 1. For example, an application filed on September 25 and approved in November pays 6,000 yen.

The deadline has now passed. Applications received from October 1, 2026, pay the new fees.

Japan PR revocation rules: The April 2027 deadline

In June 2024, Japan's Diet (parliament) passed an amendment adding three new grounds for revoking permanent residency.

What triggers PR revocation?

The rules target three groups of permanent residents:

• People who willfully avoid paying national tax, local tax, pension or health insurance
• People who break Immigration Act duties, such as renewing or carrying their residence card
• People sentenced to prison for certain crimes

The ISA published a draft revocation guideline on August 4, 2026. It excludes unpaid bills caused by illness, disasters or job loss.

A single missed payment, an honest mistake, or a temporary gap from genuine financial hardship does not count.

Additionally, revocation does not automatically mean deportation. In most anticipated cases, a person would switch residence status instead.

A simple self-audit

If you already hold permanent residency, run through this quick self-check to make sure you're not at risk of PR revocation:

• Confirm your residence tax certificates for the last five years
• Confirm your pension payment record has no gaps
• Confirm your health insurance enrollment is current
• Confirm your registered address matches where you actually live
• Confirm your residence card is valid, and renew it before it expires
• Keep paying into these systems even after you receive your PR card, since the compliance standard never stops

Permanent residents are not a small group. At the end of 2025, 947,125 people held permanent residency. That is about 24.5% of Japan's 3,858,499 mid- to long-term residents, according to Immigration Services Agency data. Special permanent residents are counted separately.

New rules for permanent residency applicants

Revocation only affects people who already hold PR. Two changes affect people who do not yet have PR. One applies now, and more rules start in April 2027.

The visa-length requirement

This rule is easy to confuse with the 10-year residency requirement, so it helps to separate the two.

In principle, you still need 10 continuous years in Japan to qualify for PR. Shorter paths exist for spouses, Long-Term Residents, and Highly Skilled Professionals. This visa-length rule is a separate, additional requirement on top of that residency clock, not a replacement for it.

The new rule states that PR applicants must also currently hold the longest visa length available for their category. Most work visas top out at five years, so that is usually the bar. Right now, the ISA also lets a three-year visa count as if it met that bar.

This grace period covers applications filed by March 31, 2027. After that, a three-year visa counts only once. You must have held it on March 31, 2027, and receive a decision before it expires.

For example, from April 2027, someone on a three-year "Engineer/Specialist" visa would usually need the five-year version first. Only then could they apply for PR, even after clearing the 10-year residency mark.

What are the new PR requirements from October 2026?

The ISA revised its permanent residency guidelines on October 1, 2026. This is a much bigger change than the visa-length rule above.

The income test applies now. Your household income must stay above the Japanese average for your household size. The ISA has published no fixed yen figure.

The income test also covers applications filed from April 1, 2026 that were still pending on October 1. Other new rules apply to applications filed from April 1, 2027:

• Japanese ability at CEFR B1 level, with exemptions for highly skilled professionals and some other groups
• A pension projection equal to 30 years of employee pension, or savings to cover the gap
• A longer spouse route: 5 years of marriage and 3 years in Japan, up from 3 years and 1 year
• A check of your knowledge of Japanese rules and systems

👉 Read our full guide on how to get a permanent resident visa for Japan here.

JESTA: Japan's new electronic travel authorization

JESTA works like the American ESTA or the European ETIAS. It is a pre-entry screening system for travelers who do not need a visa for short stays. Japan's cabinet approved the legal basis for JESTA on March 10, 2026. The House of Representatives passed it on April 28.

Implementation targets fiscal 2028, meaning sometime between April 2028 and March 2029.

JESTA will apply to visa-exempt travelers from about 70 countries and regions visiting for tourism, business trips, or transit. It will not apply to foreign residents who already hold a valid visa status. This includes work visas, spouse visas, student visas, and other long-term residence statuses.

If you live in Japan under an existing visa, JESTA does not affect you. It has no bearing on your daily life, your renewals, or your travel.

Watch out for third-party websites already offering to "register" or "prepare" a JESTA application. No official portal exists yet. When one launches, the only place any JESTA fee should go is the Immigration Services Agency itself.

👉 Read also: Japan E-Visa: The Complete Guide to Applying Online

Japan's "zero illegal stay" push: What foreign residents should know

The ISA launched its Zero Illegal Stay Plan in May 2025. The Takaichi administration has kept it as a core immigration policy. That framing has worried immigrant communities. It has also drawn formal objections from lawyers.

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations issued a statement against the plan. Its main objection is to the language. Calling foreigners "rule breakers" is too vague, the JFBA argues, since it fails to separate violators from law-abiding residents. This framing, the group warns, risks linking immigration status itself to public safety and fueling discrimination against foreign residents.

The Tokyo Bar Association raised a similar objection. It called the plan's underlying justification weak.

Who the plan targets

The plan targets a specific group. This includes foreign nationals who overstayed their visa and live in Japan illegally. It also includes people working outside what their visa status permits.

Enforcement tools include the new immigration positions described above and closer checks on employers of foreign workers. In May 2026, the ISA also announced a cyber patrol of social media. It targets posts offering illegal work or fake residence cards. An automated monitoring system is planned from fiscal 2027.

Why compliance matters now

In the coming years, the government plans to link tax, insurance and immigration records more closely, including through the My Number system. This is why staying compliant is important, even if you have already renewed your visa or have permanent residency.

Compliance in practice is simple. Your visa status should match your actual work or study activity. Your taxes and insurance should stay current. Your address should stay accurately registered with your ward office. Residents who meet these basic standards are not the audience this policy targets.

👉 Read also: Japan's My Number Card and Residence Card Are Merging: What You Need to Do

Japan immigration work visa changes in 2026

Several changes specifically affect foreign workers, skilled workers, specialists, and employer-sponsored visa categories.

Business and skilled worker changes

Several updates affect employer-sponsored and skilled worker visa categories:

• Business Manager Visa capital requirement: Rose from 5 million yen to 30 million yen on October 16, 2025. Anyone applying under this category now needs much more startup capital in place.
• Technical Intern Training Program replacement: A new framework called Ikusei Shuro replaces the Technical Intern Training Program starting April 2027. It gives trainees a clearer path toward long-term employment. Under the old program, graduates could move to Specified Skilled Worker (i) without tests. Ikusei Shuro graduates will need a skills test and A2-level Japanese. One capacity concern: only 3 accredited schools nationwide offered the needed track as of April 2026, per MEXT data.
• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa scrutiny: HSP holders face closer review of tax and income documentation at renewal time. This fits the broader compliance push covered throughout this article.
• Specified Skilled Worker (ii) stay length: A draft rule published August 4, 2026 adds a 5-year period of stay. Current options are 6 months, 1, 2 or 3 years. The agency plans to apply it in early January 2027. After that, skilled workers on this visa will need the 5-year period to apply for PR.

👉 For a full breakdown of which sectors are hiring and which visa each role requires, see our guide to high-demand jobs in Japan for foreigners.

Citizenship: naturalization now takes about 10 years

On April 1, 2026, Japan raised the practical residency requirement for naturalization. Most foreign nationals now need about 10 years in Japan, up from 5. That matches the standard residency rule for permanent residency.

Naturalization gives you Japanese citizenship and a Japanese passport. Japan generally requires you to give up your other citizenship.

Special permanent residents are a different category

Japan's immigration framework still separates special permanent residents from the general foreign resident population. This category includes Zainichi Koreans and other long-settled communities with historical ties to Japan. Special permanent residents are not affected by most changes described above. Their status comes from separate legal provisions, with different rules around renewal, documents, and immigration control.

At the end of 2025, 266,896 special permanent residents lived in Japan. The new PR revocation rules do not apply to them.

What foreign residents should do right now: The compliance checklist

1. Verify your tax compliance:

• Pay residence tax (juminzei, 住民税) on time, not just eventually
• Keep tax certificates covering the last five years
• Avoid gaps in payment, including during job changes or self-employment

2. Verify your social insurance:

• Keep National Pension or company pension enrollment gap-free
• Keep health insurance enrolled and current, with no lapsed coverage
• Keep payment records for at least the last 24 months

3. Verify your address registration:

• Match your residence card address to where you actually live
• Report any moves to your ward office within 14 days, as required by law
• Give your employer and bank your correct current address
• Renew your residence card before it expires

4. Verify your visa status matches your actual activity:

• Match your current job duties to your visa category
• Report or document any job changes since your last renewal
• Avoid side income that conflicts with your visa terms

5. Make sure your mail actually reaches you:

• Tax certificates, insurance notices, and immigration letters usually arrive only by post in Japan
• If you travel often or live between two addresses, a stable Japanese mailing address like MailMate helps. We digitize each piece of mail you receive, allowing you to open and process your Japanese mail from anywhere!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening with immigration in Japan?

Japan is raising fees and tightening compliance rules while it steps up enforcement against overstayers. New visa fees and a stricter permanent residency income test took effect on October 1, 2026. Japan also approved 226 new immigration positions and published a new immigration basic plan in July 2026. PR revocation rules start on April 1, 2027. Most changes target illegal stays and non-compliance, not law-abiding foreign residents.

What changed in Japan immigration on October 1, 2026?

Two changes took effect. Visa renewal and change fees rose from a flat 6,000 yen to 10,000 to 75,000 yen, and the PR fee rose to 200,000 yen. The revised PR guideline also took effect, adding a household income test above the Japanese average. Applications received by September 30, 2026 still pay the old fees.

What is the new immigration law in Japan?

The amendment enacted on May 29, 2026 creates the legal basis for JESTA. It also raised the legal ceiling on residence fees, which allowed the October 2026 fee increases. A separate 2024 amendment adds three PR revocation grounds: willful non-payment, breaking Immigration Act duties, and certain crimes. Enforcement of those grounds begins April 1, 2027.

Is Japan accepting immigrants?

Yes. Japan had 4,125,395 registered foreign residents at the end of 2025, surpassing 4 million for the first time. The number of foreign workers reached a record 2,571,037 in October 2025, per MHLW data. Of these, 33.7% held professional or technical visa statuses. Cabinet Office analysis links this demand to an aging, shrinking population.

What is the Japan immigration basic plan for 2026?

The ISA published Japan's second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residency Management on July 31, 2026. It is the first new plan since April 2019 and sets six basic policies. Key measures include JESTA, trial learning programs for foreign residents and stronger enforcement against illegal stays. The ISA will review the plan about every five years.

Does Japan's immigration crackdown affect legal residents?

Only indirectly, through stricter checks at visa renewals and PR applications. Foreign residents who pay taxes, keep insurance current and register their address are not the target. The crackdown aims at overstayers and people working outside their visa status.

What is JESTA, and do I need it if I live in Japan?

JESTA is Japan's electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt, short-stay visitors. The government targets a launch in fiscal 2028. It does not apply to foreign residents who hold a work, spouse, student or other long-term visa. It covers short-stay travelers from about 70 visa-exempt countries and regions.

How much are visa renewal fees in Japan now?

Since October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the period of stay you are granted. Counter fees range from 10,000 yen to 75,000 yen, and online fees from 10,000 yen to 65,000 yen. Permanent residency costs 200,000 yen. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old fee (6,000 yen, or 10,000 yen for PR), even if approved later.

Can Japan revoke permanent residency, and who is actually at risk?

Yes. From April 1, 2027, the ISA can revoke PR on three grounds: willful non-payment of taxes or social insurance, breaking Immigration Act duties, and certain crimes. Unpaid bills caused by illness, disaster or job loss are not targeted. In most cases, the ISA would switch the person to another residence status rather than deport them. Special permanent residents are not covered by these rules.

Did Japan change its citizenship rules in 2026?

Yes. On April 1, 2026, Japan raised the practical residency requirement for naturalization from 5 years to about 10 years. That matches the standard residency rule for permanent residency. Naturalization gives you Japanese citizenship, and Japan generally requires you to give up your other nationality.

In closing

Japan immigration news in 2026 comes fast, and it can feel overwhelming. But one pattern holds across nearly every change in this article. The government is raising costs and documentation standards while sharpening enforcement against illegal stays. It is not closing the door on legal foreign residents, foreign workers, or the specialists the country still needs.

Run through the compliance checklist above right now. Confirm your tax, insurance, and address records stay accurate. Do this before your next renewal. The new fees took effect on October 1, 2026, and stricter PR rules start on April 1, 2027.

This article is not legal advice. If your situation involves a specific renewal, revocation risk, or visa status question, talk to a professional. A licensed immigration lawyer or gyoseishoshi, a licensed administrative scrivener who handles visa paperwork, can help.