Immigration & Visas
Latest news and updates on immigration & visas for expats in Japan
Immigration Agency Updates Ukraine Data, Points-System University Lists and Adds Sinhala Orientation Session
The Immigration Services Agency has refreshed Ukraine evacuee statistics, updated university lists for the highly skilled professional points system a...
Immigration Agency Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Enforcement Rule Revisions
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is accepting public comments on a draft ministerial ordinance to revise enforcement regulations under the immigrat...
Immigration Agency, Ministry of Health and OTIT Offer Support to Vietnamese Residents in Japan Facing Difficulties
Japan's Immigration Services Agency, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and OTIT are working with the Vietnamese Embassy to support Vietnames...
Immigration Agency Publishes Summaries of FY2026 Stakeholder Hearings on Residency Policy
The Immigration Services Agency has posted outlines of its fiscal year 2026 hearings with local governments and community groups supporting foreign re...
Japan's Foreign Resident Population Hits Record 4.28 Million as Overstayers Decline in Mid-2026
New Immigration Services Agency data show record numbers of foreign residents in Japan alongside falling overstayer counts and mixed trends in entries...
Immigration Services Agency Updates Monthly Statistics on Ukrainian Evacuees in Japan
Japan's Immigration Services Agency has refreshed its monthly figures on Ukrainian evacuees, reporting updated arrival numbers, demographics, and resi...
Immigration Agency Revises Permanent Residency Guidelines, Adds New Rules for Revoking Status
The Immigration Services Agency has revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency and issued new guidelines on revoking permanent resident s...
Immigration Agency Seeks Public Comment on Revision to Visa Activity Rules Under Article 7
The Immigration Services Agency has opened a public comment period on a proposed revision to rules defining visa activities under the Immigration Cont...
Japan's Population Falls Below 124M as Foreign Residents Top 4 Million
Japan's total population fell to 123.77 million, with Japanese population posting record decline while foreign residents exceeded 4 million for the fi...
Japan Establishes Expert Committee to Shape Future Foreign Worker Policy
Japan has established an expert committee to develop a comprehensive framework for future foreign worker policy, with a basic plan due by March 2027. ...
Japan to Establish Expert Panel on Future Foreign Worker Policy
Japan's government is establishing an expert panel to review long-term foreign worker acceptance policies. The move signals potential comprehensive im...
Japan to Launch Japanese Language Learning Program for Foreign Residents
The Japanese government is developing a new learning program for foreign residents to study Japanese language and rules. The ICT-based program will ta...
Permanent Residence Application Fee Set to Jump to ¥200,000
Japan will increase permanent residence application fees from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 starting October 2026. The twenty-fold increase represents a major c...
Japan to Increase Foreign Visa Application Fees Fivefold from July 2025
Japan will increase visa application fees fivefold starting July 2025, significantly raising costs for foreign residents and visitors. The government ...
US Immigration Enforcement Operations Spark International Protests
ICE operations have sparked protests in Milan during the Olympics and ongoing unrest in Minnesota following a fatal shooting. Growing international co...
Japan's Foreign Worker Population Hits Record 2.57 Million in 2025
Japan's foreign worker population reached a record 2.57 million in 2025, marking three consecutive years of 10%+ growth. The government pledges to imp...
Immigration Debate Heats Up as Conservative Parties Push for Restrictions
Conservative parties are making immigration restrictions a major campaign issue in Japan's upcoming election. While unlikely to affect current visa ho...
Japan Tightens Nationality Rules, Expands Worker Visas to 1.23 Million
Japan will accept 1.23 million foreign workers by 2029 under expanded visa programs while tightening citizenship requirements. Property purchase regul...
Japan Reviews Immigration Policies Amid Fraud Concerns and LDP Proposals
The LDP proposes stricter citizenship requirements and real estate regulations for foreigners, while authorities crack down on visa fraud in the Speci...
Japan Considers Immigration Caps and Stricter Naturalization Rules
Japan's LDP proposes stricter citizenship requirements and foreign property purchase rules, while the Innovation Party suggests caps on foreign reside...