Fact Check: Debunking Rumors About Permanent Residency (PR) Application Changes

Recently, there has been a surge of misinformation circulating regarding changes to Japan’s Permanent Residency (PR) application process. We have received numerous inquiries from concerned applicants, so we would like to set the record straight based on the current facts.

1. The Rumor: "PR application fees are increasing to ¥300,000 on April 1st"

The Reality: This is highly misleading. Here is the actual situation:

• Misconception ①: The "¥300,000" Figure

  The government is indeed considering a revision of the fee structure. However, the proposed amendment to the Immigration Control Act establishes a maximum cap for the fee. This means the Immigration Services Agency will have the authority to set the fee anywhere between ¥0 and ¥300,000. The final amount has not yet been determined.

• Misconception ②: The "April 1st" Deadline

  Raising the fee by April 1st is not realistic. The bill was only submitted to the Diet on March 10th. It must pass through the Judicial Affairs Committees and plenary sessions of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors—a process that typically takes at least a month.

• The Timeline:

  Even after the law passes, the Ministry of Justice must still draft the specific Cabinet Order to set the actual fee. The government’s goal is to finalize these regulations within 2026, so a price hike in the immediate future is unlikely.

※Please visit this website of the House of Representatives, you could check the status of the bill to amend the Immigration Act.

https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_gian.nsf/html/gian/keika/1DE1F16.htm

2. The Rumor: "JLPT N2 will be mandatory for PR applications starting April 1st"

The Reality: No such requirement has been finalized or implemented.

• Misconception ①: The requirement is already set

  While the government has begun discussions (via the Ministerial Council on Food, Agriculture and Forestry, and related foreign resident policies) regarding a Japanese language requirement, they are still in the consultation phase. The goal is to define these requirements by sometime next year.

• Misconception ②: N2 is the target level

  The government has not officially specified any JLPT level (like N2). It is still unclear whether this requirement will apply to everyone or if there will be specific exemptions. We are still in the very early stages of this policy discussion.

A Message to All Applicants: Seek Official Information

We understand that rumors about your status of residence can be cause for anxiety. However, we strongly urge you to rely only on official government announcements or professional legal advice rather than social media speculation or unverified news reports.

Decisions regarding your future in Japan should be based on facts, not rumors.

Note: We will continue to monitor the legislative process and provide updates as soon as official information becomes available.

Daichi Ito

Immigration Consultant(Gyoseishoshi)