Japan Post-Study Work Visa Cost 2026: Fees and Total Expenses

The Japan post-study work visa cost depends on whether you are changing from Student status to a job-search status, moving directly to a work status, or extending an existing residence status.

Japan does not have one immigration category officially called a “post-study work visa.” Graduates normally apply for a Change of Status of Residence, either to:

• Designated Activities for continued job hunting, or
• A work-authorized status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services after finding employment.

Japan is also introducing a major immigration-fee increase from October 1, 2026, making the application date particularly important.

Japan Post-Study Work Visa Cost Until September 30, 2026

For applications accepted up to September 30, 2026, the fee for permission to change your status of residence is:

• ¥6,000 for an application handled at an immigration office
• ¥5,500 for an eligible online application

The same amounts currently apply to extensions of period of stay.

This means a graduate changing from Student status to either Designated Activities or an eligible work status generally pays the applicable status-change fee once permission is granted.

Major Fee Increase From October 1, 2026

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced a new fee system effective for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2026.

Instead of one fixed fee, the cost of changing or extending residence status will depend on the period of stay granted.

The revised base fees are:

These amounts are especially relevant to graduates because the final cost will depend on the period granted by immigration—not simply the residence category requested.

How Much Does Online Application Cost After October 1?

For online applications submitted from October 1, 2026, Japan will also charge a separate payment-processing fee.

Examples include:

• 3 months or less: ¥10,330 total
• Over 3 to 6 months: ¥15,330 total
• Over 6 months to under 1 year: ¥21,330 total
• 1 year: ¥27,330 total
• Over 1 to under 3 years: ¥42,330 total
• 3 to under 5 years: ¥56,550 total
• 5 years or more: ¥65,550 total

The processing fee is ¥330 for shorter periods and ¥550 for the longer listed periods. Online payments will be handled through eligible convenience-store or bank-payment methods rather than the previous revenue-stamp process.

Which Fee Applies If You Apply Before October 1?

This is an important detail.

If immigration receives your application on or before September 30, 2026, the old fee applies even if your approval is issued after October 1.

For example, if you submit your application on September 29 and receive approval in November, you still pay under the earlier fee system.

Applications submitted from October 1 onward fall under the new fee schedule.

Cost of Designated Activities for Job Hunting

International graduates who have not yet found employment may apply to change from Student status to Designated Activities for continued job hunting.

Eligible graduates are usually granted:

• An initial period of 6 months
• A possible additional 6-month extension

Under the new October 2026 fee structure, the cost can therefore depend on the exact residence period approved.

A six-month status, for example, falls into the over 3 months to 6 months bracket, with a base fee of ¥15,000 under the revised schedule.

If you later extend the status, another extension procedure and fee may apply.

Cost of Changing to a Japanese Work Visa

If you find employment, you normally apply to change from Student or Designated Activities to the work status appropriate for your job.

For many graduates, this is:

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

Before October 1, the basic change-of-status fee remains ¥6,000 at the counter or ¥5,500 online.

From October 1, however, the fee will depend on the residence period granted.

For example:

• 1-year work status: ¥27,000
• 3 years: falls within the 3 to under 5 years category, meaning ¥56,000
• 5 years: ¥65,000

Online applications also carry the applicable payment-processing charge.

Are Application Fees Paid Upfront?

The fee is generally payable when permission is granted rather than simply for submitting the application.

For applications handled at an immigration office, the Immigration Services Agency currently uses revenue stamps for applicable fees. After October 1, in-person applicants will continue using revenue stamps under the new fee schedule.

Applicants should follow the payment instructions provided by immigration rather than purchasing the wrong amount in advance.

Additional Costs to Budget For

The official immigration fee is not necessarily your only expense.

You may also encounter costs for:

• Japanese translations
• Academic certificates
• University documents
• Passport photographs
• Postal delivery
• Transportation to immigration offices
• Legal or immigration assistance, if voluntarily used

Foreign-language documents may need Japanese translations depending on the application.

The cost varies significantly depending on the number and complexity of documents.

Do You Need an Immigration Lawyer?

No lawyer is automatically required for a standard post-graduation status-change application.

Many students apply directly with assistance from:

• Their university international office
• Career center
• Employer’s HR department

However, applicants with complicated circumstances may choose to use an immigration lawyer or certified administrative procedures specialist.

Professional-service fees are separate from government immigration fees.

Can Immigration Fees Be Reduced?

Japan is introducing provisions allowing certain qualifying applicants to receive a fee reduction or exemption from October 1, 2026 when specified legal conditions apply.

For eligible applicants receiving a reduction, the Immigration Services Agency states that fees for a change or extension of status lasting more than three months may be reduced to ¥10,000.

This is not a general student discount. Specific eligibility rules apply, including circumstances recognized under the revised regulations.

How Much Should Graduates Budget?

For applications filed before October 1, 2026, the basic government fee remains relatively modest:

• Around ¥5,500–¥6,000

For applications from October 1 onward, graduates should budget according to the period of residence granted.

A reasonable immigration-fee range can therefore be:

• ¥15,000 for a six-month status
• ¥27,000 for one year
• Up to ¥65,000 for a five-year or longer status

Additional document and translation expenses should be budgeted separately.

Final Thoughts

The Japan post-study work visa cost in 2026 is changing significantly.

Until September 30, changing residence status generally costs ¥6,000 at an immigration office or ¥5,500 online.

For applications submitted from October 1, 2026, Japan will introduce residence-period-based fees ranging from ¥10,000 to ¥65,000, with small additional processing charges for online applications.

International graduates should therefore check the exact application date and expected residence period before calculating their budget.

Because the new fee structure takes effect during 2026, older articles quoting only ¥4,000, ¥5,500 or ¥6,000 may no longer reflect the amount you will actually pay.

Official Sources

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan – October 2026 Residence Fee Revision
• Immigration Services Agency – Online Fees From October 1, 2026
• Immigration Services Agency – Change of Status of Residence
• Immigration Services Agency – Fee Reduction and Exemption Rules