Understood. From now on, I will use the unified wording “Legal Gate Immigration Lawyer Office, serving clients nationwide” in all articles.

Below is the latest version of the earlier article, with the wording changed to “Legal Gate Immigration Lawyer Office, serving clients nationwide.” You can copy and use it as is.

[Officially Decided] Measures Against the October 2026 Immigration Fee Increase! A Thorough Explanation of Online Application Discounts and How They Differ from Over-the-Counter Applications

Hello! This is Legal Gate Immigration Lawyer Office (VISA SUPPORT JAPAN), serving clients nationwide.

In August 2026, a Cabinet Order was approved by the Cabinet, officially deciding on a significant increase in the “residence permission fee (revenue stamp fee)” from October 1 of the same year. Fees, which had previously been a flat amount, will jump to as much as 75,000 yen depending on the period of stay granted (200,000 yen for permanent residence permission).

This is why we now strongly recommend that companies and foreign nationals make use of the “Online Residence Application System.” Under the new fee structure, it has been confirmed that using an online application results in a lower fee than applying over the counter.

This time, we will thoroughly explain the confirmed online discount amounts, the differences from over-the-counter applications, the advantages and disadvantages, and how to apply!

1. [Amounts Confirmed] Such a Big Difference from the Counter! Fees for “Online Applications”

The fees for extensions of period of stay and changes of status accepted on or after October 1, 2026 are as follows. The longer the period of stay granted, the higher the fee, but by using an online application the fee is set 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen lower than at the counter.

*For payment via online application, a settlement fee of 330 yen or 550 yen is charged in addition to the above fees.

The more employees you have, the more directly this difference affects your business. For example, if the renewal periods of 20 employees who are granted a 1-year period of stay coincide, simply using online applications leads to a total cost reduction of 120,000 yen.

2. See at a Glance! Differences Between Over-the-Counter and Online Procedures

We have compared the practical differences between over-the-counter and online applications in a table.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Handling Residence Procedures Online

Besides cost, online applications have their own particular advantages and disadvantages (difficulties).

〇 Advantages

• Travel and waiting time become zero: You are freed from the stress of waiting for hours at the Immigration Bureau counter.

• Applications can be made 24 hours a day: You can submit application data at a convenient time, even on company holidays or at night.

• You can check the progress on the web: You can check the current examination status on your My Page.

✕ Disadvantages

• Advance system setup and a My Number Card are required: The “user registration” and ID issuance needed for first-time use take time and effort.

• The system is difficult and hard to understand to operate: The Immigration Bureau’s online system has many input fields, and dealing with errors when they occur is a hurdle for foreign nationals.

• Correcting deficiencies is troublesome: If documents are missing or contain errors, the exchange takes place online or by mail, and if you are not used to it, there is a risk of the examination being delayed or the application being denied.

4. Procedures and Preparations Required When a Foreign National Applies Online on Their Own

The basic flow when a foreign national applies online as an individual (using a My Number Card) is as follows.

1. Prepare what you need: Have ready the applicant’s My Number Card, residence card, an IC card reader (or a compatible smartphone), a computer, etc.

2. Complete user registration: Access the Immigration Bureau’s “Online Residence Application System” and register for a personal ID using your My Number Card.

3. Enter and upload the application data: Enter the application details from My Page, then upload supporting documents (such as a tax certificate) as PDF files, etc., and submit.

4. Permission notice and receipt: After the examination is completed, pay the fee with the online discount applied plus the payment processing fee, and receive your new residence card by mail or at the counter.

5. Critical Points to Avoid Mistakes in Online Applications

• Pay attention to the “file format” and “size limits” of attached documents: If the resolution of the PDF, etc. is too low and the text cannot be read, you will be asked to resubmit. Also be careful of the maximum data size that can be sent at one time.

• Always confirm “application completion”: There are scattered cases of accidents where the user logged out partway through and the application “never reached the Immigration Bureau.” Be sure to check the completion notice containing the receipt number.

• Applying right before your period of stay expires is risky: Since there is a risk that errors or system failures may prevent submission on the day, start the procedure with plenty of time to spare rather than at the very last minute before your period of stay expires.

6. Reference Links (Immigration Services Agency)

For details on how to use the online application system and its system requirements, please also check the following official Immigration Services Agency pages.

• Online Residence Application System (Immigration Services Agency)

  Immigration Services Agency: Online Residence Application System Portal Site

• Guide to Online Application Procedures

  Immigration Services Agency: Guide to Online Application Procedures

• Information on the Fee Revision and Payment Methods

  Immigration Services Agency: About Methods of Fee Payment

Leave Your Online Visa Procedures to Our Office

With the substantial increase in revenue stamp fees, demand for “online applications,” which keep costs down, is expected to rise rapidly from now on. However, there are aspects that make it a high hurdle for foreign nationals themselves or company personnel to handle alone, such as linking the My Number Card in advance, operating a complex system, and digitizing specialized submission documents.

If you are a company or a foreign national thinking, “I want to do it online at a lower cost, but I’m not confident about the operation or preparing the documents” or “I want to entrust our employees’ visa renewals to a professional online, all at once,” please feel free to consult Legal Gate Immigration Lawyer Office (VISA SUPPORT JAPAN), which serves clients nationwide. Our office fully supports online applications and provides reliable support from anywhere in Japan for a smooth and certain visa acquisition.