(Japan, 5th) In an effort to offset the low birth rate, Japan has sought to attract foreign population to boost domestic demand and fill gaps in productivity. However, after accepting immigrants, Japan realized that the economic and social burden was heavy. In search of a balance, the Japanese government has now raised the immigration entry threshold—not only significantly increasing visa application fees, but also considering requiring “Japanese language proficiency” as a condition for residence approval.
Japan currently has over 4 million foreign residents. Except for permanent residents, most must periodically renew their visas. On Friday (July 3rd), the Immigration Services Agency rolled out new regulations that, from October onwards, will raise the current visa fee cap of 10,000 yen (around 252.39 ringgit): one year will be 33,000 yen, over one year up to three years will be 48,000 yen, over three years up to five years will be 64,000 yen, and over five years will be 75,000 yen. If an application for "permanent residence" is approved, the fee will soar to 200,000 yen.
The rising visa fees impose significant pressure on many foreign residents. One Filipino woman, who married and moved to Japan 20 years ago and has four children, still is not a permanent resident and must renew her visa every year.
She said during an interview: "A three-year visa costs more than 60,000 yen. For the five of us, it’s over 300,000 yen. My monthly salary does not even reach 150,000 yen.”
It is understood that she is currently the sole breadwinner for the family. Because she is in arrears on social insurance payments, her last visa renewal was shortened from three years to one year.
Visa affairs lawyer Yoko Usami told reporters: “Stable income is one of the Japanese authorities’ major prerequisites for issuing a visa. In addition, arrears on social insurance payments, or even a speeding ticket for going over the speed limit by 30 km/h, can result in a visa denial.”
Authorities do not have explicit written standards for visa approval, but the requirements for Japanese language proficiency are becoming increasingly strict. In May this year, a foreign man was denied a visa due to “insufficient Japanese language ability,” and he angrily filed a lawsuit. This man had obtained refugee status in 2015 and holds a doctoral degree. The authorities rejected his application on the grounds that his Japanese language level was inadequate for daily needs.
According to Japanese media reports, authorities are planning to officially make Japanese language proficiency a requirement for applying for permanent residency. They intend to launch a provisional "Japanese Language Life Study Program," which would require permanent residency applicants to attend classes and use exam results to assess visa approval.
Fukuyama Mamoru, the Deputy Minister of Justice overseeing the Immigration Services Agency, reported on Friday that the government will set up an expert panel this summer to begin designing specific plans for the new approach. He cited the experience of Europe and the United States, stating that emphasizing language proficiency helps foreigners understand Japanese social rules and culture, and also benefits immigrant employment.
As the government raises the bar for immigration and naturalization, Japanese public opinion is generally supportive. The Asahi Shimbun pointed out that the central government has never devised a comprehensive immigrant acceptance system, resulting in social disharmony and strains on medical and educational institutions due to language barriers among foreign immigrants.
It is estimated that this visa fee hike will generate nearly 90 billion yen in revenue for Japan’s national treasury. Authorities say they plan to use these funds to help immigrants integrate into Japanese society and work—for example, opening more Japanese language classes for the children of immigrants and assisting them in education.
The rising visa fees impose significant pressure on many foreign residents. One Filipino woman, who married and moved to Japan 20 years ago and has four children, still is not a permanent resident and must renew her visa every year.
She said during an interview: "A three-year visa costs more than 60,000 yen. For the five of us, it’s over 300,000 yen. My monthly salary does not even reach 150,000 yen.”
It is understood that she is currently the sole breadwinner for the family. Because she is in arrears on social insurance payments, her last visa renewal was shortened from three years to one year.
Visa affairs lawyer Yoko Usami told reporters: “Stable income is one of the Japanese authorities’ major prerequisites for issuing a visa. In addition, arrears on social insurance payments, or even a speeding ticket for going over the speed limit by 30 km/h, can result in a visa denial.”
Authorities do not have explicit written standards for visa approval, but the requirements for Japanese language proficiency are becoming increasingly strict. In May this year, a foreign man was denied a visa due to “insufficient Japanese language ability,” and he angrily filed a lawsuit. This man had obtained refugee status in 2015 and holds a doctoral degree. The authorities rejected his application on the grounds that his Japanese language level was inadequate for daily needs.
According to Japanese media reports, authorities are planning to officially make Japanese language proficiency a requirement for applying for permanent residency. They intend to launch a provisional "Japanese Language Life Study Program," which would require permanent residency applicants to attend classes and use exam results to assess visa approval.
Fukuyama Mamoru, the Deputy Minister of Justice overseeing the Immigration Services Agency, reported on Friday that the government will set up an expert panel this summer to begin designing specific plans for the new approach. He cited the experience of Europe and the United States, stating that emphasizing language proficiency helps foreigners understand Japanese social rules and culture, and also benefits immigrant employment.
As the government raises the bar for immigration and naturalization, Japanese public opinion is generally supportive. The Asahi Shimbun pointed out that the central government has never devised a comprehensive immigrant acceptance system, resulting in social disharmony and strains on medical and educational institutions due to language barriers among foreign immigrants.
It is estimated that this visa fee hike will generate nearly 90 billion yen in revenue for Japan’s national treasury. Authorities say they plan to use these funds to help immigrants integrate into Japanese society and work—for example, opening more Japanese language classes for the children of immigrants and assisting them in education.