Japan sharply raises residency fees for foreign nationals

TOKYO - Japan on Thursday sharply raised the fees foreign nationals must pay to change or renew their residency status.

Previously, non-permanent residency applicants who filed in person paid 6,000 yen ($38) to either change their residency status or extend their period of stay, while those seeking permanent residency paid 10,000 yen.

From Thursday, fees for in-person applications vary depending on the period of stay granted, ranging from 10,000 yen for stays of three months or less to 75,000 yen for stays of five years or more. Online applications cost slightly less. The fee for permanent residency has jumped twentyfold to 200,000 yen.

The fee increase triggered a last-minute rush earlier this week as applicants scrambled to apply under the old rates. Long lines formed at immigration offices and a surge in traffic left some people struggling to use the government's online application system.