Japan: Japan's government has officially adopted an ordinance to increase the fees associated with renewing and changing residency status for foreigners, with the new rates set to take effect in October. The adjustment will see the current uniform fee of 6,000 yen rise to as much as 75,000 yen, depending on the duration of residency.

According to Thai News Agency, the fee structure for residency applications processed at administrative office counters will be revised to 10,000 yen for up to three months, 33,000 yen for one year, 64,000 yen for three to less than five years, and 75,000 yen for five years or more. Those applying for permanent residency status will face a significant fee hike, with costs increasing from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.

These changes are part of the revised immigration control and refugee recognition law enacted in May. Additionally, the scope for reduced fees has been broadened based on public feedback. Initially, the guidelines from the Immigration Services Agency allowed for fee reductions to 10,000 yen for temporary stays and 20,000 yen for permanent residency for individuals meeting specific conditions, such as financial hardship comparable to welfare recipients and those requiring humanitarian consideration.

Public comments prompted the agency to extend the eligibility for reduced fees. The revised guidelines now include foreigners who solely care for and raise Japanese nationals' or special permanent foreign residents' biological children, as well as individuals for whom residency denial is deemed inhumane. Special permanent foreign residents are those who have lived in Japan since before World War II, lost their Japanese citizenship after the war, and their descendants.

The revised law imposes caps of 100,000 yen for temporary residency and 300,000 yen for permanent residency fees, with specific rates determined by a corresponding ordinance.