Should You Apply for Permanent Residency Before Fees Increase in Japan?

Why “Apply Now” Is Not Always the Right Answer

Last updated: April 4, 2026

A growing concern among applicants

Recent discussions about increasing Permanent Residency (PR) application fees in Japan have raised a common question:

“Should I apply now before the fees go up?”

At first glance, applying earlier may seem like the obvious choice. However, in practice, the answer is not always straightforward.

PR applications are not just about eligibility

Many applicants focus on whether they technically meet the requirements.

However, PR decisions in Japan are not based on eligibility alone. They depend on how the overall situation is evaluated.

This includes:

• stability of employment and income
• consistency of tax and social insurance records
• clarity of residence history
• timing of the application

The risk of applying too early

Applying before your situation is sufficiently stable may increase the risk of refusal.

Common examples include:

• recent job change
• recent salary increase used to meet thresholds
• short period since obtaining current visa status
• incomplete or inconsistent records

In these cases, the issue is not that the requirements are unmet, but that the situation may not yet be clearly understood as stable.

When applying early may make sense

On the other hand, applying earlier can be reasonable if:

• your employment and income are already stable
• your records are consistent and well-documented
• there are no recent major changes in your situation

In such cases, the timing risk may be relatively low.

What matters more than fees

While fee increases may affect financial considerations, the more important question is:

“Is my situation ready to be clearly understood?”

The cost of a refusal — including time, uncertainty, and potential future complications — can outweigh the benefit of applying early.

Final thoughts

The possibility of higher application fees is important. However, it should not be the only factor guiding your decision.

Applying at the right time may be more valuable than applying early.