Japan's parliament has approved legislative revisions to significantly raise the upper limits for residence status-related fees for foreign nationals.

Under the revised immigration control law, the maximum fee for foreign residents in Japan to change their status of residence or extend their period of stay will increase from the current 10,000 yen to 100,000 yen.

The cap for permanent residency permission will be raised from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen.

This is the first time since 1981 that the fee caps have been raised.

The current actual fees are 6,000 yen for change or renewal of residence status and 10,000 yen for permanent residency permits.

With the law revision in place, new fees are expected to be introduced during the current fiscal year through March 2027, drawing attention to what the size of the increases will be.

The revised law also includes the creation of the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or JESTA, for short-term visitors, including tourists from 74 visa-exempt countries and regions.

Such travelers will be asked to submit necessary information online before entering Japan.

JESTA is aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals intending to overstay illegally and at streamlining immigration screening upon arrival.

The government aims to put the system into effect during fiscal 2028.