VisaJapan changed how residents pay fees for online stay extensions
The 1 October rules tie the fee to the date Immigration received the application, the filing channel and the period granted.
Official announcement date: not established (undated guidance) · Change takes effect: 2026-10-01
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Edited and checked by the VisaWand editorial team
Start with the date and channel of the filing
Residents extending their stay or changing residence status should check when the Immigration Services Agency received their application and whether it was filed online or at a counter. For files received by 30 September 2026, the old tariff applies even when the decision comes after the change. The agency’s reform overview says counter filings still use revenue stamps. It advises buying the amount shown on the decision postcard in advance at a larger post office where possible, because stock near immigration offices can be limited. Bring cash to buy the stamps.
The relevant date is the agency’s receipt date, so keep the submission acknowledgement with the later notice. An applicant receiving a November decision on a September file may therefore follow different payment instructions from a colleague with an October filing. The new method follows how the application was filed even when an online applicant chooses to collect the card at a counter.
Compare the base fee with the total online charge
The agency’s English fee leaflet lists the former extension and change fees as ¥6,000 at a counter and ¥5,500 online. Under the new tariff, a one-year grant costs ¥33,000 at a counter or ¥27,000 online before the payment charge. A three-year grant costs ¥64,000 at a counter or ¥56,000 online before that charge. Read the table by the period granted, which can differ from the period the applicant originally requested.
The Japanese online payment table adds ¥330 to the one-year rate and ¥550 to the three-year rate. The resulting online totals are ¥27,330 and ¥56,550 respectively. Use the actual amount in the payment instructions after the review ends. These examples cover extension or change permissions. Permanent residence and any separate card issuance charges should be checked under their own instructions.
Match the application before arranging payment
For post-change online files, the payment guide describes a separate payment link after the examination completion email. The agency identifies service-dgft.com as the domain for link messages and veritrans.jp for payment arrangement and completion messages. It says the system accepts supported convenience-store and bank payments. Credit card and QR code payment are unavailable.
The convenience-store manual shows how to check the Immigration Services Agency as payee and match the application receipt number before choosing a participating chain. After setting up payment, record the deadline and the separate payment reference for the store. The arrangement message confirms that you selected a method. Payment is complete only after the charge is settled. Keep the completion email until the residence card arrives.
The bank manual identifies the payment institution, customer and confirmation numbers used for a supported ATM payment. It also links to the participating financial institutions and internet banking instructions. If you selected the wrong method or the payment link stops working before payment, the manuals direct you to the regional office that received the application. Have the application receipt number and any confirmation messages available when asking for help.
Check reduction eligibility before choosing online filing
Applicants seeking a fee reduction should read the separate agency guidance before filing. It describes qualifying financial hardship together with a need for humanitarian consideration and asks for supporting evidence alongside the residence application. The online system does not handle reduction requests. The agency directs applicants submitting reduction evidence to the counter. The examples of qualifying circumstances are guidance for a decision on the individual case.
If you are still preparing an extension, the agency’s online FAQ says online submission is unavailable on the last day of authorised stay. Allow time to submit before that date, and keep the filing deadline separate from the later payment deadline shown in your instructions. The published material establishes the method and fees for listed outcomes. Your decision notice and payment instructions determine what is payable for your case.
