Japan Visa Application Fees: How Much Does It Cost? (2025)
Understanding the costs involved in a Japan visa application helps you budget and avoid surprises. This guide covers every official fee charged by the Immigration Bureau of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) along with common additional costs.
Summary Table: Official Immigration Bureau Fees
| Application Type | Japanese Name | Official Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Period of Stay Extension | 在留期間更新許可申請 | ¥4,000 |
| Change of Status | 在留資格変更許可申請 | ¥4,000 |
| Permanent Residency | 永住許可申請 | ¥8,000 |
| Certificate of Eligibility | 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 | Free |
| Re-entry Permit (single) | 再入国許可申請（一回限り） | ¥3,000 |
| Re-entry Permit (multiple) | 再入国許可申請（数次） | ¥6,000 |
| Special Re-entry Permit | 特別再入国許可申請 | Free |
| Status of Residence Certificate | 在留証明 | ¥350 |
| Residence Card Reissue | 在留カード再交付 | ¥1,600 |
| Acquisition of Nationality | 帰化許可申請 | Free |
Note: Fees are set by the Ministry of Justice and paid via revenue stamps (収入印紙) available at post offices. The fee is paid only if your application is approved — not at submission.
1. Period of Stay Extension (在留期間更新許可申請)
Official fee: ¥4,000 paid by revenue stamp upon approval.
Additional costs you may incur:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application photos (4cm × 3cm) | ¥600–¥1,000 | Photo booth or convenience store |
| Document translation | ¥3,000–¥10,000/page | If employer letters need certified translation |
| Administrative scrivener (行政書士) | ¥30,000–¥80,000 | Optional — handles paperwork for you |
| NipponVisa (AI form generation) | Free | Generates the official Form #5 automatically |
Typical total cost (DIY): ¥4,000–¥6,000 Typical total cost (with agent): ¥40,000–¥90,000
2. Change of Status (在留資格変更許可申請)
Official fee: ¥4,000 paid upon approval.
Common change of status scenarios:
- Student visa → Work visa (技術・人文知識・国際業務, etc.)
- Work visa → Spouse of Japanese National
- Working Holiday → Work visa
- Any status → Designated Activities, etc.
Additional costs:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Revenue stamp | ¥4,000 |
| Documents (certification, notarization) | ¥0–¥15,000 |
| Administrative scrivener | ¥40,000–¥100,000 |
| NipponVisa form generation | Free |
3. Permanent Residency Application (永住許可申請)
Official fee: ¥8,000 paid upon approval (the highest standard visa fee).
The permanent residency application has no submission fee — you pay ¥8,000 only when approved. However, the document preparation costs can be significant:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Revenue stamp (upon approval) | ¥8,000 |
| Certified copy of residence register (住民票) | ¥300 |
| Certified copy of tax payment certificate (納税証明書) | ¥400 |
| Health insurance payment history | Free |
| Pension payment records (年金記録) | Free (via Nenkin Net) |
| Certificate of good conduct (場合により) | Varies |
| Administrative scrivener | ¥80,000–¥150,000 |
Typical total cost (DIY): ¥9,000–¥15,000 Typical total cost (with agent): ¥90,000–¥160,000
4. Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書交付申請)
Official fee: Free — no charge to apply.
This is for people applying to work, study, or live in Japan from overseas. The employer or school in Japan typically handles this application, though the applicant can also apply themselves.
5. Re-entry Permits
If you leave Japan and need to maintain your residency status:
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single re-entry permit | ¥3,000 |
| Multiple re-entry permit | ¥6,000 |
| Special re-entry (within 1 year) | Free — just show your residence card at departure |
Tip: If you'll return within 1 year, use the Special Re-entry Permit (特別再入国許可) — it's automatic at the airport and free. You just mark the checkbox on your departure card.
Payment Method: Revenue Stamps (収入印紙)
Immigration Bureau fees are not paid at submission. You pay only when your application is approved:
- You receive an approval notice (ハガキ)
- Buy revenue stamps (収入印紙) at a post office
- Bring stamps + notice + documents to the Immigration Bureau
- Your new residence card is issued
Revenue stamps are available at:
- Post offices (郵便局) — most common
- Some convenience stores
- Immigration Bureau counters
Do You Need an Administrative Scrivener (行政書士)?
You do not need an agent — all applications can be submitted by the applicant directly. However, agents are useful if:
- Your Japanese is limited
- Your situation is complex (multiple jobs, gaps in employment, rejected before)
- Your employer requires it
NipponVisa provides a middle path: AI generates the official forms automatically from your residence card scan, saving hours of manual form filling — for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I pay the fee at submission or when approved? A: Only when approved. You bring revenue stamps to the Immigration Bureau when you pick up your new residence card.
Q: Can I get a refund if my application is rejected? A: Yes — because you pay at approval, there is no fee if your application is denied.
Q: Are fees the same at all Immigration Bureaus? A: Yes. The official fees are set nationally by the Ministry of Justice.
Q: Is there a fee for the application form itself? A: No. Forms are free — download them from the Immigration Bureau website or generate them automatically with NipponVisa.
Q: Do I need to pay separately for the biometric residence card? A: No. The residence card is included in the application fee.
Summary
Japan visa application fees are straightforward and paid only on approval. The biggest variable cost is whether you hire an agent. With tools like NipponVisa, you can handle the form generation yourself for free and pay only the official ¥4,000–¥8,000 government fee.