Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits starting in October, according to a report by The Japan Times.

The planned increase affects the charges foreign residents pay when they obtain or renew residence permits. Under current procedures, mid- to long-term foreign residents in Japan must hold a residence card (zairyū card) and renew it within set windows before the card expires. The fee change would apply to these permit and card transactions once it takes effect in October.

The Japan Times describes the increase as sharp, meaning applicants should expect a noticeably higher charge at the counter when the new schedule comes into force. The report does not state the exact new amounts, so foreign residents should verify the precise figures through official channels before submitting an application after the effective date.

Foreign nationals living in Japan who hold residence cards — including workers, students, family members of Japanese nationals or residents, and long-term stayers — fall within the scope of the change. Anyone whose permit or card expires on or after October should factor the higher fee into their renewal planning. Applicants can check current requirements and any updates through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), which administers residence permits and residence cards and publishes official guidance on fees and procedures.

The October timeline is a government plan as reported by The Japan Times. Readers planning permit applications or renewals near that date should monitor ISA announcements for confirmation of the final fee schedule and its exact effective date, since official publication will fix the amounts that apply at counters and online procedures.