2026 is a year in which immigration system changes have been concentrated as never before. Higher fees, the integration of the residence card and the My Number Card, the review of the “Student” status operation, and the expansion of Specified Skilled Worker fields alongside a suspension of acceptance — all are changes that directly affect practice, yet because each was announced separately, the big picture is hard to grasp.
This article organizes what changes when chronologically, and, with a quick-reference table, guides you as to which changes are relevant in your situation. The details are compiled in individual articles, so please read from wherever you need.
Sources: Various publications of the Immigration Services Agency. All dates and figures in this article are based on the published content of that Agency and of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Items whose enforcement date is not fixed are clearly marked “scheduled.”
[Updated October 1, 2026] After publication on July 22, the following were announced. We have rewritten the relevant parts of the text and marked each rewritten part with [Updated October 1, 2026].
- The actual fee amounts and the enforcement date (October 1, Reiwa 8) for residence procedures were decided and have taken effect
- Fees for online applications are now paid by convenience store payment or bank payment, for applications on or after October 1
- The Permanent Residence Guidelines were revised, and guidelines on revocation of permanent residents’ status of residence were established (both on October 1, Reiwa 8; mainly applied and operated from April 1, Reiwa 9)
The 2026 changes in chronological order
| Timing | What changed / will change | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, Reiwa 8 | Specified Skilled Worker fields expanded from 16 to 19 (cabinet decision) | Decided |
| April, Reiwa 8 | Strengthened tracking of students’ activities outside status by Japanese-language institutions | In operation |
| April 13, Reiwa 8 | Suspension of Certificate of Eligibility issuance for Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food-service field | In effect |
| May 22, Reiwa 8 | ”Zero Illegal Residents Plan — Powerful Promotion Package” published | Published |
| May 29, Reiwa 8 | Amended Immigration Control Act enacted (higher fee ceilings, creation of JESTA). Promulgated June 5 | Enacted |
| June 14, Reiwa 8 | Launch of the Specified Residence Card. The residence-card format also changed | In operation |
| July 1, Reiwa 8 | Stricter Japanese-language check for students (from applications for change of status / extension) | Applied |
| October, Reiwa 8 | Same as above (for Certificate of Eligibility applications, from students planning to enroll in October or later) | Scheduled |
| October 1, Reiwa 8 | Fee increase for residence procedures. Payment for online applications moves to convenience-store and bank payment [Updated October 1, 2026] | In effect |
| October 1, Reiwa 8 | Revision of the Permanent Residence Guidelines; establishment of guidelines on revocation of permanent residents’ status of residence [Updated October 1, 2026] | Published |
| April 1, Reiwa 9 | Enforcement of the Employment for Skill Development system (developmental dissolution of the Technical Intern Training system) | Scheduled |
| April 1, Reiwa 9 | Application of the revised Permanent Residence Guidelines (some parts already applied to cases under review); start of operation of the revocation guidelines [Updated October 1, 2026] | Scheduled |
| Up to March 31, Reiwa 11 | Enforcement of JESTA (electronic travel authorization system) | Enforcement date TBD |
Quick reference by situation
Students
This concerns both those entering Japanese-language institutions and those already enrolled.
- The method of checking Japanese-language ability has changed. The previously accepted proof of “150 hours or more of Japanese study” can no longer be used; a test certificate or confirmation by interview becomes necessary. → Stricter Japanese-Language Check for the Student Visa
- Tracking of part-time work has been strengthened. The Japanese-language institution you attend now confirms, once every three months, whether you have permission, your workplace, the content, and your daily hours, and keeps records. Managing the 28-hour limit is more important than ever. → Strengthened Tracking of Students’ Part-Time Work
Company staff who employ foreign nationals
Many of the 2026 changes affect the checking practices on the company side.
- The residence-card format has changed. The new format issued on or after June 14, Reiwa 8 does not show the period of stay on the card face. Checking the IC chip via the reader app becomes the premise. → Checking the IC Chip with the Residence Card Reader App
- The Specified Residence Card (integration of the residence card and the My Number Card) has begun. Acquisition is optional, but you should know how to handle the case where an employee acquires one. → What Is the Specified Residence Card?
- Enforcement is being strengthened. Facilitating illegal work is not excused by ignorance. → What Is the Zero Illegal Residents Plan?
- Please confirm there are no missed filings. The systems for the Immigration Services Agency and Hello Work are separate, so both are required. → Notification Obligation Calendar for Companies Employing Foreign Nationals
Companies accepting technical intern trainees
- The Employment for Skill Development system takes effect on April 1, Reiwa 9. There is much to prepare — the transition from Technical Intern Training, the handling of transfers, and relationships with supervising support organizations. → What Is the Employment for Skill Development System?
Companies using, or considering, Specified Skilled Worker
- While the fields expanded to 19, new acceptance in the food-service field has stopped. Each field has a cap on the projected number to be accepted, and acceptance can be suspended once it is reached. → Changes to the Specified Skilled Worker System
Business owners (Business Manager)
- Requests for supplementary documents are conspicuous in period-of-stay renewals. Because the review items increased with the October 16, Reiwa 7 reform, even those who have renewed many times are asked for documents they see for the first time. → Prepare for Business Manager Renewals on the Premise That Supplementary-Document Requests Will Come
- For the approval criteria themselves after the reform → Complete Guide to the Business Manager Visa
Those residing on a work status
- Fees have gone up. [Updated October 1, 2026] For applications accepted on or after October 1, Reiwa 8, renewals and changes cost 10,000 to 75,000 yen at the counter depending on the period of stay granted, and permanent residence is 200,000 yen. → Residence Procedure Fees Revised from October 1, Reiwa 8 / For the background of the amended Act, see Increase in Fees for Residence Procedures
- The approach to permanent-residence applications is changing. [Updated October 1, 2026] Japanese at B1 level, the expected pension benefit amount, the number of days abroad, and other factors have been specified as considerations. → How the Permanent Residence Guidelines Changed on October 1, Reiwa 8
- Forgetting to file can lead to revocation of your status. Please be especially careful when leaving or changing jobs. → Revocation of Status of Residence and Notification Obligations
Those living with family
- In a Dependent renewal, whether the dependency relationship continues is examined. → Dependent Renewal and Proving “Being Supported”
- If you are bringing over a child, whether it falls under a category of the Long-Term Resident notification is the entry point. → What Is the Long-Term Resident Notification?
Those visiting on a short stay, or inviting someone
- Once JESTA is introduced, even those coming under a visa waiver will need prior authorization. → What Is JESTA?
- Changing status after entering Japan on a short stay is, as a rule, not permitted. → Change from Short Stay to Another Status of Residence
What is not yet decided
Information on system changes mixes together what has already been enforced, what is to be enforced, and what has only a ceiling decided with the actual amount undecided. Misreading this leads to mistaking the timing of your preparations.
| Item | What is decided | What is not decided |
|---|---|---|
| Fee increase | Ceiling amounts (change/extension 100,000 yen, permanent residence 300,000 yen). [Updated October 1, 2026] The actual amounts and the enforcement date (October 1, Reiwa 8) have also been decided and enforced | ― |
| JESTA | Creation of the system, categories of covered travelers | Fees, application method, enforcement date |
| Employment for Skill Development | April 1, Reiwa 9 enforcement, the framework | Details of the transfer-restriction period by field |
| Suspension of food-service acceptance | The content of the suspension and covered procedures | The timing of resumption (published as undecided) |
Note: You may see explanations such as “the renewal fee will become 100,000 yen,” but 100,000 yen is a ceiling, and the actual amount is set by cabinet order. Please be careful not to make decisions based on figures that are not yet fixed.
[Updated October 1, 2026] The actual amounts have been set by cabinet order; even a renewal for a period of stay of “5 years” costs 75,000 yen at the counter, below the 100,000-yen ceiling.
To prevent mistakes in a year when changes overlap
In a year when systems move at once, the following mix-ups are easy to make.
- Confusing the ceiling with the actual amount — fees are the typical case.
- Confusing what is enforced with what is scheduled — Employment for Skill Development is from April, Reiwa 9, and has not started yet.
- Mistaking the conversion between the Japanese era and the Western calendar — Reiwa 7 is 2025, and Reiwa 9 is 2027. Conversion errors are seen even in other firms’ explanatory articles.
- Assuming the same documents as last time will suffice — the Business Manager renewal is the typical case, where the review items themselves have increased.
When in doubt, checking the original text on the Immigration Services Agency website is the surest way. Our articles, too, are all prepared based on the publications of that Agency and the relevant ministries.
For those who do not know their status of residence itself
Before the system changes, those who wish to confirm the basics of their own status of residence should read from What Is Status of Residence? An Easy-to-Understand Guide to the Types and Basics. Those whose application has been denied should see When Your Residence Application Is Denied, and those doing procedures in Chiba Prefecture should see For Those Handling Residence Procedures in Chiba.
Our support
In a year of system changes, “the same as last time” does not work. Even if you are only at the stage of not knowing which changes are relevant to your situation, please feel free to consult us.
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