Japan immigration rule changes in 2025 and 2026

Business Manager rules (since 2025-10-16)

Since 2025-10-16, a Business Manager applicant needs capital of at least 30,000,000 yen, or invested funds of that size for a sole proprietor. The business must employ at least 1 full-time employee who is a Japanese national, a special permanent resident or a holder of Permanent Resident, Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident status.

Either the applicant or a full-time employee must have Japanese at B2 level, shown for example by JLPT N2 or higher or BJT 400 points. The business plan must be confirmed by an expert such as a small business management consultant, certified public accountant or tax accountant.

People already holding the status will not be refused an extension solely for failing the new standards until 2028-10-16, although problems such as labor-law non-compliance, unpaid or missing social insurance or missing business permits can still lead to refusal.

Entering Japan: 2025 and 2026 changes

Paraguay (2025-06-01), Peru (2025-07-01) and Montenegro (2025-09-01) were added to the visa-exempt list, all for ePassport holders only.

Pre-entry tuberculosis screening applies to nationals of the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar and China who plan to enter as mid- to long-term residents (re-entry permit holders excluded), and it is rolled out country by country. Groups such as specified skilled workers, JET participants and EPA nurse and care-worker candidates are exempt for the time being. Submitting the certificate became mandatory for the Philippines and Nepal on 2025-06-23 and for Viet Nam on 2025-09-01.

As of 2026-09-25, Indonesia is scheduled to start screening on 2026-11-02, with mandatory submission planned from 2027-01-04. Myanmar and China are still being coordinated with no start date set.

Work and student rules in 2026

On 2026-04-01 a Ministry of Justice ordinance widened the vocational-school routes in the work standards to cover completion of an advanced course (senko-ka) as well as the specialized course, for Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist and Student. On 2026-04-13 the agency suspended certificate of eligibility issuance for the food service sector of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1.

For Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services applications filed from 2026-04-15, Category 3 and 4 employers must add extra documents, including a declaration about the organization's representative. For jobs that mainly use language with people, such as interpreting or hotel front desk work, about CEFR B2 language ability is expected.

From the 2026-10 intake, student applications can no longer prove A1-level Japanese with 150 hours of study history alone; a test certificate or an interview confirmation is required, with an exemption for graduates of foreign universities from the countries and regions listed in the agency's table. The check also applies to change-of-status and extension applications filed from 2026-07-01.

Fees and cards: visa, residence permits and the residence card

For visa applications accepted at a Japanese mission on or after 2026-07-01, the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa. Some purposes and nationalities are exempt or pay a different amount.

From 2026-10-01 the counter fee for a change of status or an extension depends on the period granted, from 10,000 yen for up to 3 months to 75,000 yen for 5 years or more, instead of a flat 6,000 yen. The new fees apply only to applications received from that date; those received by 2026-09-30 pay the old fee.

The permanent residence fee at the counter rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen on 2026-10-01. Separately, Act No. 59 of 2024 took effect on 2026-06-14, except for some provisions, and lets the residence card be combined with the My Number card.

Passed by the Diet, mostly not yet in force

Act No. 32 of 2026, passed on 2026-05-29 and promulgated on 2026-06-05, creates JESTA, an electronic travel authorization. It also raised the statutory ceilings on residence permit fees, and the fee increase of 2026-10-01 follows it. The JESTA provisions take effect on a date set by Cabinet order within the period ending 2029-03-31.

The new Employment for Skill Development system starts operating on 2027-04-01, replacing the Technical Intern Training Program. The Technical Intern Training status of residence will be abolished and a new status of residence for employment for skill development will be created in its place.

From 2027-04-01 the penalty for causing foreigners to engage in illegal work rises to up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 5,000,000 yen, or both.

Permanent residence rules from 2027-04-01

Act No. 60 of 2024 takes effect on 2027-04-01 except for some provisions. It writes permanent residence requirements and revocation grounds into law; the agency says this puts existing guideline practice into law and adds no new requirement or stricter screening.

From 2027-04-01 a permanent resident who fails to comply with obligations under the Act, or intentionally does not pay taxes and public charges, becomes subject to revocation at the Minister's discretion. Even then the Minister normally changes the status to another one, mostly Long-Term Resident, unless the person is judged unsuitable to remain in Japan.

The permanent residence guidelines were revised on 2026-10-01 and apply to applications filed from 2027-04-01; the household income rule and the public-burden factor also apply to applications filed since 2026-04-01 that are still pending on 2026-10-01. For applications filed on or after 2027-04-01, the shortened route for spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents requires 5 years of genuine marriage and 3 years of continuous residence in Japan.

What it is

• The government justified raising the permit fees on the beneficiary-pays principle, saying that foreign residents should bear a reasonable share of the rising cost of strengthened immigration management and support measures.
  外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策（令和８年１月２３日）本文 (5)ア 在留許可手数料の見直し · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The system aims to train workers through three years of work to the skill level of Specified Skilled Worker (i) while securing labor in the designated sectors.
  育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• From 1 April 2027 Article 22(2) allows a permanent residence permit only if the applicant is of good conduct and has independent means, and the Minister also finds that compliance with legal obligations and payment of taxes and public charges show the stay serves Japan's interest; spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents are exempt from the first two conditions.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点の条文） 第22条第2項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The agency says the amendment writes existing guideline practice into the law and does not add a new requirement or make permanent residence screening stricter.
  永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q7 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• At the end of June 2026 the number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record 4,281,026, up 3.8 percent from the end of 2025.
  令和８年６月末における在留外国人数について · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence were adopted by the ministerial conference on 23 January 2026 as the government's umbrella plan on foreigners.
  外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策（令和８年１月２３日）本文 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Who qualifies

• A fee reduction may be granted to people living in hardship comparable to those who need public assistance and who merit humanitarian consideration.
  令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• For permanent residence, a fee reduction is limited to spouses, children and similar family members of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents.
  令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• Employers must join the sector council for their sector before applying for plan approval, and must meet the additional standards set by the ministry in charge of that sector.
  育成就労制度に係る施行日前申請 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident who fails to comply with obligations under the Act or intentionally does not pay taxes and public charges becomes subject to revocation of that status at the Minister's discretion.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点の条文） 第22条の4第1項第8号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The crime-based revocation ground covers only certain serious intentional offenses punished with imprisonment; negligent driving accidents, traffic-law offenses and fines alone do not trigger it.
  永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q11 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The business must employ at least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national, a special permanent resident or a holder of Permanent Resident, Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident status; holders of other (Annex I) statuses do not count for this requirement.
  「経営・管理」の許可基準の改正等について（令和７年１０月１６日施行） 省令 第2号イ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
• After the effective date, permanent residence from the Business Manager status is not granted to those who do not meet the revised standards.
  「経営・管理」の許可基準の改正等について（令和７年１０月１６日施行） 申請に関する取扱い 3 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
• Combining the My Number card and the residence card is optional, and foreigners may choose not to integrate them.
  改正法の概要（マイナンバーカードと在留カードの一体化） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-14

Numbers and tests

• The acceptance caps through the end of March 2029 total 1,231,900 people: 805,700 Specified Skilled Worker (i) and 426,200 for the new employment system.
  分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項 主要な記載事項① 2 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• In the food service sector the Specified Skilled Worker (i) cap is 50,000 and about 46,000 workers were already resident at the end of February 2026, which led the agency to plan a suspension.
  特定技能「外食業分野」における受入れ上限の運用について · Checked on 2026-10-22
• As of the end of July 2026 (provisional figures), the caps and resident numbers for Specified Skilled Worker (i) stood at 805,700 and 432,016 overall, and the food service sector had reached 49,290 of its 50,000 cap.
  特定技能１号の受入れ見込数及び在留者数について（令和８年７月末時点・速報値） · Checked on 2026-10-22
• For applications for certificates of eligibility filed from 1 April 2027, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) applicants must show Japanese at level B1 or higher.
  日本語能力水準「Ｂ１相当以上」の確認開始時期について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• For certificate of eligibility applications filed from 1 April 2027, the Japanese requirement for the bus and taxi driver categories in road transport and the station-staff category in rail under Specified Skilled Worker (i) rises from JLPT N3 to B1-equivalent; the date for change-of-status and extension applications is still under review.
  日本語能力水準「Ｂ１相当以上」の確認開始時期について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• Whether the household's annual income keeps reaching a level above the average income of Japanese households of the same size is one factor the guidelines say they weigh, assessed in principle at the time of application.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第2 4(2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• Under the revised guidelines, expected future pension benefits are assessed against the pension a person would receive after working 30 years at above-average income under the employees' pension, and savings can make up a shortfall.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第2 4(3) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• Applicants are expected in principle to have Japanese ability at CEFR-based B1 level or higher, with exceptions such as highly skilled professionals and children raised in Japan.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第2 5(8) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Periods

• Employment for skill development is planned for up to three years, and a worker who fails the Specified Skilled Worker (i) exam can stay up to one more year to retake it.
  育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） 制度のイメージ（注１） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• Workers may transfer employers on their own initiative after a restriction period that is aimed at one year but is set between one and two years by sector for the time being.
  分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項 主要な記載事項② 4(1) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The permanent residence guideline treats continuous residence in Japan of 10 years or more as a factor in principle, including at least five continuous years in a work or residence status.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第2 5(6) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• For applications filed by 31 March 2027, a three-year period of stay counts as the longest period for the permanent residence requirement; afterwards this applies only to someone who held a three-year stay on 31 March 2027, files a first application from 1 April 2027 and gets a decision before that stay expires.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第2 5(6)(注4) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• For applications filed on or after 1 April 2027, the shortened route for spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents requires five years of genuine marriage and three years of continuous residence in Japan.
  永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和８年１０月１日改定） 第3 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• People already holding the status before the change will not be refused an extension solely for failing the new standards until 16 October 2028, although problems such as non-compliance with labour laws, unpaid or missing social insurance, or missing business permits can still lead to refusal at renewal.
  在留資格「経営・管理」に係る上陸基準省令等の改正について 問1 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16

Deadlines

• The new fees apply only to applications received on or after 1 October 2026; applications received by 30 September 2026 still pay the old fee even if the permit is granted after that date.
  令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The JESTA provisions take effect on a date to be set by cabinet order within the period ending 31 March 2029.
  改正法の概要（ＪＥＳＴＡ（電子渡航認証制度）の創設、在留資格の変更許可等に係る手数料の額の上限額の引上げ等） 附則 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The government's comprehensive measures set a goal of putting JESTA into operation within fiscal year 2028.
  Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence (Outline) II. Section 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• Pre-enforcement applications opened on 15 April 2026 for supervising support organization permits and on 1 September 2026 for training plan approvals, both handled by the Organization for Technical Intern Training.
  育成就労制度に係る施行日前申請 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-15
• The new check applies to certificate of eligibility applications for students entering from October 2026, and to change-of-status and extension applications filed from 1 July 2026.
  日本語教育機関に入学する者に係る運用の一部見直しについて 第1 3 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-07-01
• The government plans to make online filing the rule for residence applications and notifications in stages from fiscal year 2027 and to roll out cashless payment and related measures in stages from fiscal year 2029.
  外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策 ～進捗等を踏まえた、今後の取組の方向性～ · Checked on 2026-10-22
• Measure 116 of the comprehensive measures says the government is considering a mechanism under which, from June 2027, the Immigration Services Agency could electronically check national health insurance payment data for all statuses and use it in entry and residence screening and in urging payment of arrears.
  外国人の受入れ・秩序ある共生のための総合的対応策（令和８年１月２３日）本文 (2) · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The government decided in its July 2026 economic and fiscal policy guidelines to open expert discussion on the basic approach to accepting foreigners and to compile a basic policy within fiscal year 2026.
  外国人の受入れの基本的な在り方の検討をめぐる経緯等（資料３） 骨太方針2026 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Fees

• Under Article 67 of the Immigration Control Act as in force from 1 October 2026, the cabinet order may set the fee for a change of status of residence at no more than 100,000 yen.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和8年10月1日施行時点の条文） 第67条第1項第1号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The same Article 67 caps the fee for an extension of the period of stay at 100,000 yen, with the exact amount fixed by cabinet order.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和8年10月1日施行時点の条文） 第67条第1項第2号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The statutory ceiling for the permanent residence permit fee is 300,000 yen under Article 67 as in force from 1 October 2026; the actual fee is set by cabinet order within that ceiling.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和8年10月1日施行時点の条文） 第67条第1項第3号 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• Before the 1 October 2026 revision, the fee for a change of status or extension was 6,000 yen when applying at the counter and 5,500 yen online, and the permanent residence fee was 10,000 yen.
  2026年10月1日から外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット） · Checked on 2026-10-22
• For online applications the revised fees by period granted are 10,000 yen (up to 3 months), 15,000 (over 3 up to 6 months), 21,000 (over 6 months, under 1 year), 27,000 (1 year), 42,000 (over 1, under 3 years), 56,000 (3 years to under 5) and 65,000 yen (5 years or more).
  オンライン申請における手数料額及び手数料納付方法について(２０２６年１０月１日以降の申請分のみに適用) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The counter fees by period granted are 10,000 yen (up to 3 months), 18,000 (over 3 up to 6 months), 25,000 (over 6 months, under 1 year), 33,000 (1 year), 48,000 (over 1, under 3 years), 64,000 (3 years to under 5) and 75,000 yen (5 years or more).
  2026年10月1日から外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The permanent residence permit fee rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen for counter applications from 1 October 2026.
  2026年10月1日から外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The settlement fee for online payment is 330 yen for amounts up to the 42,000-yen tier and 550 yen for the 56,000-yen and 65,000-yen tiers, and credit card or QR code payment is not accepted.
  オンライン申請における手数料額及び手数料納付方法について(２０２６年１０月１日以降の申請分のみに適用) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

How it works

• Online applications must pay the permit fee through convenience-store or bank payment only, revenue stamps cannot be used, and a separate settlement fee is charged on top of the permit fee.
  2026年10月1日から外国人の在留手続に関する手数料が改定されます（リーフレット） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• The online residence application system does not support fee reductions, so applicants who submit documents for a reduction must apply at the counter.
  令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01
• If admissions are expected to exceed a sector cap, certificate of eligibility issuance for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is suspended and approval of training plans for the new system is suspended.
  育成就労制度Ｑ＆Ａ Q21 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• Trainees who entered Japan before 1 April 2027 and are still training on that date may continue under the old program rules (and some who applied for a training plan before that date can enter afterward), but they cannot switch to the new employment status.
  育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） 経過措置 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• Even when a ground applies, the Minister normally changes the status to another one, mostly Long-Term Resident, instead of revoking it, unless the person is judged unsuitable to remain in Japan.
  永住許可制度の適正化Ｑ＆Ａ Q12 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The business plan submitted at the time of status determination must be confirmed by an expert such as a small business management consultant, certified public accountant or tax accountant.
  「経営・管理」の許可基準の改正等について（令和７年１０月１６日施行） 施行規則 別表第三 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
• Applications for the specified residence card cannot be made through the online system for now and must be filed at the counter.
  【重要】特定在留カード交付申請はオンライン申請に対応していません！（令和８年６月時点） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-06-14
• The first meeting of the working group examining the basic approach to accepting foreigners was held on 7 August 2026.
  外国人との秩序ある共生社会推進室（内閣官房） 新着情報 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Penalties

• From 1 April 2027 the penalty for causing foreigners to engage in illegal work rises to up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 5 million yen, or both.
  出入国管理及び難民認定法（令和9年4月1日施行時点の条文） 第73条の2第1項 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01

Lists and tables

• The sector policies cover 19 sectors for Specified Skilled Worker and 17 for the new system; road transport and aviation are Specified Skilled Worker only.
  分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項 主要な記載事項① 1 · Checked on 2026-10-22

Recent changes

• Act No. 32 of 2026, passed by the Diet on 29 May 2026 and promulgated on 5 June 2026, amends the Immigration Control Act to create JESTA (an electronic travel authorization) and to raise the statutory ceilings on residence permit fees.
  令和８年入管法等改正について 令和8年法律第32号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• JESTA will require visa-exempt travelers who come for short-stay tourism and similar activities to obtain an authorization before entering Japan, and authorization is needed for each new entry.
  改正法の概要（ＪＥＳＴＡ（電子渡航認証制度）の創設、在留資格の変更許可等に係る手数料の額の上限額の引上げ等） · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The new Employment for Skill Development (ikusei shuro) system starts operating on 1 April 2027, replacing the Technical Intern Training Program.
  育成就労制度の概要（令和８年７月改訂） · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• The Technical Intern Training status of residence is abolished and a new status of residence for employment for skill development is created in its place.
  改正法の概要（育成就労制度の創設等） 入管法改正 1. · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2027-04-01
• A cabinet decision on 23 January 2026 set unified sector-specific operational policies for both systems, replacing the earlier Specified Skilled Worker sector policies.
  育成就労制度に係る制度の運用に関する基本方針・分野別運用方針 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• The Specified Skilled Worker (i) cap was revised downward from the 820,000 set in March 2024 to 805,700, after the estimates were re-examined on the assumption of further productivity and domestic hiring efforts.
  分野別運用方針の主要な記載事項 主要な記載事項① 2 · Checked on 2026-10-22
• On 13 April 2026 the agency suspended issuance of certificates of eligibility for the food service sector, and applications received from that day onward are not approved.
  特定技能「外食業分野」における在留資格認定証明書交付の一時停止措置について · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-04-13
• The basic policy for the Specified Skilled Worker and new employment systems was approved by the cabinet and ministerial conference on 11 March 2025, and it set B1-level Japanese for Specified Skilled Worker (ii).
  日本語能力水準「Ｂ１相当以上」の確認開始時期について · Checked on 2026-10-22