A complete 2026 breakdown of Japanese visa and residency fees in JPY — including the J-Skip fast-track and the new Specified Skilled Worker fields added in January 2026.
Overview
Japan's immigration system is among the most structured in the world. Almost all long-term entry requires a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書 zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho) issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) before you can apply for a visa at a Japanese consulate abroad. Once issued, the visa fees themselves are modest by international standards — JPY 3,000 for a single-entry visa, JPY 6,000 for multiple-entry, JPY 700 for transit — but obtaining the underlying CoE is the substantive hurdle. The current main work routes are: the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa with its 70-point threshold for fast-track permanent residence in 3 years (or 1 year at 80+ points); the Special Highly Skilled Professional system (J-Skip) launched in 2023 with 5-year stays and accelerated PR; the J-Find visa for top-university recent graduates; the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa for standard professional roles; the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW, 特定技能 Tokutei Gino) visa — recently expanded by Cabinet Decision of 23 January 2026 to add new industry fields; the Business Manager visa for entrepreneurs; the Working Holiday for under-30s from partner nations; and family reunification. This guide details every fee, verified against isa.go.jp (Immigration Services Agency), mofa.go.jp (Foreign Ministry), moj.go.jp (Ministry of Justice), and mhlw.go.jp (Health, Labour and Welfare).
Visa Categories and Indicative Fees (2026)
Visa application fees are collected at the Japanese consulate where you apply, paid in local currency at MOFA's published exchange rate. The Certificate of Eligibility itself is free to obtain — the cost is in document preparation and (if applicable) the use of a sponsor or immigration lawyer. The residence card (在留カード zairyū kādo) is issued free of charge on arrival at the airport.
| Visa | Description | Income / Investment Threshold | Indicative Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSP Type 1 (Highly Skilled Professional) | 70+ points on the points-based system across academic/career/income/special bonuses | Varies by category; +40 pts for ≥ JPY 10m/yr income; +25 pts for PhD | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| HSP Type 2 | Holders of HSP Type 1 for 3+ years (1 year for 80-point holders) | Active employment under qualifying activity | Visa JPY 3,000 (renewal) |
| J-Skip (Special HSP — researchers/engineers) | Researchers / engineers with ≥ JPY 20m/yr income + Master's OR 10 yrs experience | ≥ JPY 20m/yr + qualifications | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| J-Skip (Special HSP — business managers) | Business managers with ≥ JPY 40m/yr income + 5 yrs experience | ≥ JPY 40m/yr + experience | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| J-Find (recent graduates of top universities) | Recent graduates of universities ranked top 100 globally (any 2 of QS/THE/ARWU) | Within 5 years of graduation + means of subsistence | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free (2 yrs job-seeking) |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Standard professional work permit | University degree (Bachelor's+) OR 10 yrs experience + matching role | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Type 1 | Skill-tested workers in 16+ industry fields (expanded Jan 2026) | Pass JFT-Basic + industry skills test | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 | Higher-tier SSW; can be renewed indefinitely + family rights | Higher skill level in qualifying field | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| Business Manager | Entrepreneur / company manager | JPY 5,000,000 capital + office in Japan + ≥ 2 full-time JP employees OR equivalent investment | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| Working Holiday | 18-30 year-olds from partner countries (UK, AU, NZ, Canada + 25 more) | Country-specific (typically savings ≥ JPY 200,000) | Visa JPY 3,000 (1 yr) |
| Student | Acceptance at Japanese institution | Acceptance + funds + Japanese language ability (varies) | Visa JPY 3,000 + CoE free |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National | Spouse / minor child of Japanese citizen | Documented family link | Visa JPY 3,000 |
| Dependent | Spouse / child of working-visa holder | Sponsor's stable income + accommodation | Visa JPY 3,000 |
Visa Application Fees — Straightforward and Modest
Japan's visa application fees are uniformly modest by global standards and have remained stable for years.
- Single-entry visa: JPY 3,000 (≈ USD 20)
- Multiple-entry visa: JPY 6,000 (≈ USD 40)
- Transit visa: JPY 700 (≈ USD 5)
- Certificate of Eligibility (CoE): Free — but obtaining it is the substantive process (1-3 months at the Regional Immigration Bureau).
- Residence card (在留カード): Free, issued at port of entry (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Hiroshima, Sendai).
- Residence card update / re-issuance: JPY 1,600 for address changes (free); JPY 1,600 + revenue stamp for replacement of lost card.
- Permission for permanent residence: JPY 8,000 (paid via revenue stamp at the Immigration Bureau).
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) — The Points-Based Fast Track
Japan's HSP visa is a points-based fast-track for skilled migration, granting accelerated permanent residence — 3 years for 70-point holders, just 1 year for 80-point holders. Points are awarded across academic background, work experience, annual income, age, Japanese language ability, and 'special bonus' categories like investment in Japan or graduation from a top university.
- Points threshold: 70 points = HSP Type 1 (3-year path to PR); 80 points = even faster (1-year path to PR after 1 year of HSP).
- Income points: Highest single category — JPY 10m+/yr = 40 points (age 30-34); JPY 5m+/yr = 25 points; scales down by age and income bracket.
- Academic points: PhD = 30 points; Master's = 20; Bachelor's = 10; double advanced degrees = +5 bonus.
- Experience points: 10+ years = 20 points (for academic researchers); 7+ years = 15 points; 5+ years = 10 points.
- Family rights: HSP holders' spouses can work full-time without separate work visa; parents can be brought to Japan if HSP household income ≥ JPY 8m/yr (with conditions). Domestic workers permitted if income ≥ JPY 10m/yr.
- HSP Type 2: After 3 years on Type 1 (or 1 year at 80 points), upgrade to indefinite-stay Type 2 — no renewal needed, expanded activity scope.
J-Skip and J-Find — The 2023+ Premium Routes
Launched in April 2023, J-Skip (Special Highly Skilled Professional) and J-Find (recent top-graduate visa) are designed to attract top global talent to Japan with substantially more generous treatment than the standard HSP points system.
- J-Skip — Researchers / Engineers: Master's degree OR 10+ years experience + annual salary ≥ JPY 20,000,000 (USD ~135,000). 5-year period of stay. Accelerated PR (1 year).
- J-Skip — Business Managers: 5+ years experience + annual salary ≥ JPY 40,000,000 (USD ~270,000). 5-year period of stay. Accelerated PR.
- J-Skip benefits: Spouse work permission, full domestic worker rights, parent residence permission, multi-year residence card.
- J-Find — Future Creation Individual: Graduates of universities ranked in top 100 in any 2 of QS World, THE, or ARWU rankings, within 5 years of graduation. 2-year stay to seek employment/start business in Japan.
- J-Find vs HSP: J-Find is for those still seeking employment; standard HSP is for those already employed in a qualifying role.
- Application: All J-Skip / J-Find applications process via the standard CoE route through the Regional Immigration Bureau.
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / 特定技能) — Expanded January 2026
The Specified Skilled Worker visa (Tokutei Gino) addresses Japan's labour shortages in specific industry sectors. Type 1 is for workers passing skill tests; Type 2 (introduced 2019, expanded 2023) allows indefinite renewal and family accompaniment in qualifying fields. By Cabinet Decision of 23 January 2026, new industry fields were added — acceptance in new fields commences after promulgation of relevant ministerial ordinances.
- Qualifying sectors (pre-2026): 14 fields including nursing care, building cleaning, machine parts/tooling, industrial machinery, electric/electronics, construction, shipbuilding, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery, food/drink manufacturing, food service.
- New fields (Cabinet Decision 23 January 2026): Additional industry fields + ESD (Economic Security and Defense) Industrial Fields added — full list awaiting ministerial ordinance.
- SSW Type 1: Up to 5 years; family members not permitted; renewable but capped.
- SSW Type 2: Indefinite renewal; family members permitted; pathway to permanent residence.
- Tests required: Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) OR JLPT N4 + industry-specific skills test administered by the relevant industry body.
- Application route: Direct via CoE (no employer-side quota), but employer must meet acceptance-system requirements.
Other Costs to Budget For
- Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI 国民健康保険): Mandatory for all residents over 3 months. Premium based on income — ≈ JPY 200,000–400,000/year for mid-income earners.
- National Pension (国民年金): JPY 17,510/month (2026 rate) for self-employed/unemployed; payroll-deducted for employees via Kosei Nenkin.
- Resident tax (住民税 jūmin-zei): ~10% of taxable income (4% prefectural + 6% municipal), levied in arrears based on prior year's income.
- Hanko (personal seal): JPY 500–10,000 — increasingly optional for foreign residents, but still required for some bank/property transactions.
- Apostille of foreign documents: Set by country of origin; Japan accepts Hague Apostille since joining the convention in 1970.
- Sworn translation (公認翻訳): Less formal than European 'sworn translator' systems — generally any qualified translator with their stamp is accepted by ISA. JPY 5,000–15,000 per document.
- Immigration lawyer (行政書士 gyōseishoshi): JPY 100,000–500,000 for HSP / J-Skip application; less for simpler visa types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Japanese visa cost in 2026?
Visa fees themselves are very modest by international standards: JPY 3,000 (≈ USD 20) for a single-entry visa, JPY 6,000 for a multiple-entry visa, and JPY 700 for a transit visa. These are paid at the Japanese consulate in the local currency at MOFA's published exchange rate. The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — which you need before applying for the visa for stays longer than 90 days or work — is free. The substantive cost is in preparing documentation and (often) hiring an immigration lawyer or visa support service to assemble the CoE application. The residence card issued at the airport on arrival is also free.
What is the Certificate of Eligibility and why do I need one?
The Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書 zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho, often abbreviated CoE) is a pre-screening document issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) certifying that you meet the conditions for a particular residence status. You — or your sponsor in Japan — apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau, which takes 1-3 months to issue. Once issued, the CoE is sent to you and you take it to your nearest Japanese consulate to apply for the actual visa. Without a CoE, the consulate generally won't issue a long-term work or residence visa. The CoE is valid for 3 months from issuance — you must enter Japan within that window.
What's the income threshold for the J-Skip visa?
There are two J-Skip categories with different thresholds. For researchers and engineers, you need an annual salary of at least JPY 20,000,000 (≈ USD 135,000) plus a Master's degree OR 10+ years of experience. For business managers, you need an annual salary of at least JPY 40,000,000 (≈ USD 270,000) plus 5+ years of experience. J-Skip grants a 5-year period of stay (much longer than the standard 1-3 years for new arrivals) and accelerated permanent residence eligibility (1 year). Family members get residence cards with full work rights for the spouse.
How many points do I need for the HSP visa?
70 points minimum across the official table, which scores across academic background, work experience, annual income, age, Japanese language ability, and special bonuses. The highest-yielding category is income: JPY 10m+/yr earns 40 points (age 30-34); JPY 5m+/yr earns 25 points. PhD adds 30 points; Master's 20; Bachelor's 10. JLPT N1 adds 15 points; N2 adds 10. Other bonuses include graduating from a top-ranked university, having a research patent, or being employed at a company with R&D investment ratio above 3%. If you reach 80 points instead of 70, your path to permanent residence is 1 year instead of 3. ISA publishes a self-assessment calculator at isa.go.jp.
Has the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa expanded in 2026?
Yes. By Cabinet Decision of 23 January 2026, new industry fields and ESD (Economic Security and Defense) Industrial Fields were added to the SSW system, expanding beyond the original 14 sectors. Acceptance in new fields will commence after promulgation and enforcement of the relevant ministerial ordinances — check moj.go.jp and mhlw.go.jp for current operational dates. The original 14 fields (nursing care, building cleaning, manufacturing categories, construction, shipbuilding, automotive maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery, food manufacturing, food service) remain active. SSW Type 1 caps at 5 years with no family rights; Type 2 allows indefinite renewal and family accompaniment.
Can my spouse work on my Japanese HSP visa?
Yes — that's one of the key benefits of the HSP visa over standard work visas. The spouse of an HSP visa holder receives a 'Designated Activities' status that permits full-time work in any field. By contrast, on a standard Engineer/Specialist work visa, the spouse holds a 'Dependent' visa that only permits part-time work up to 28 hours/week and requires separate permission. HSP holders can also bring parents to Japan if household income is JPY 8m+/year (with conditions around childcare needs), and can employ a foreign domestic worker if household income is JPY 10m+/year — both unusual privileges in Japan's strict family-visa system.
How long does it take to get a Japanese visa?
The Certificate of Eligibility process at the Immigration Services Agency typically takes 1-3 months from submission of a complete application. Once issued, the visa stamp at the Japanese consulate abroad is typically issued within 5-7 working days. For HSP and J-Skip applications, ISA aims to process within roughly 10-20 working days though complex cases take longer. SSW applications follow the standard 1-3 month CoE timeline. Working Holiday visas are processed entirely at the consulate (no CoE needed) and typically issue within 1-2 weeks. Short-term visit visas (under 90 days) process within 5 working days for nationals requiring them.
Do I need to apostille my foreign documents for a Japanese visa?
It depends on the document and the visa category. Japan is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so for many documents from Hague-member countries an apostille is sufficient. Required documents that typically need apostilles include: birth certificates (for family/dependent visas), marriage certificates, academic degrees and transcripts (for HSP/J-Skip), police clearance certificates (for PR/naturalization). The ISA accepts apostilled foreign documents directly; non-Hague country documents require full consular legalisation by the Japanese embassy in the country of origin. Translation into Japanese is required for most documents — there is no formal 'sworn translator' system, but ISA expects a qualified translator's name, contact, and stamp on the translation.