TOKYO -- The cost of securing the right to remain in Japan rose sharply for foreign residents on Thursday as a revision to the immigration control law took effect.

The fees for some residency permits have increased more than tenfold, with the cost of a permanent residence permit becoming 20 times more expensive. The government also tightened the criteria for permanent residency, introducing new income, pension and Japanese-language requirements.

The changes are the latest sign of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's tougher approach to immigration, as Japan balances its growing need for foreign workers against political pressure for stricter controls. Here are five things to know about the changes: How much are the fees going up?

The government introduced a seven-tier fee structure based on permit duration, effective for applications submitted on or after Oct 1. Previously, the fees for permission to change residence status and to extend the period of stay were at a flat rate of 6,000 yen ($38) for in-person and 5,500 yen for online applications.

For a one-year permit, the fee is now 33,000 yen for in-person applications and 27,000 yen online. For the longest period of five years or more, the cost is 75,000 yen in-person and 65,000 yen online -- more than ten times higher.

The charge for a permanent residency permit, which can only be applied for in person, has jumped from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen.

Fees may be reduced for people facing financial hardship, or who warrant humanitarian consideration such as recognized refugees. Such people would pay 10,000 yen to change or renew their residence status and 20,000 yen to apply for permanent residency. Why are fees going up?

Japan's foreign resident population hit a record 4.12 million at the end of 2025, up 9.5% from a year earlier and more than 80% from a decade ago.

Takaichi wrote on X on Sunday that the cost of ensuring the fair and smooth acceptance of foreign nationals and promoting their integration was expected to rise. "We will ask foreign residents to bear a commensurate share of the costs," she said.

Due to the increases, revenue from residence permits fees is projected to reach up to 92 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2028. The Immigration Services Agency plans to use the money for steps including digitalizing residence management and helping foreign nationals learn Japanese and understand the country's social norms. Will it become harder to get permanent residency?

The government also updated guidelines for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals, introducing stricter requirements such as an income threshold. These new rules will take affect next April, with the exception of the income requirements, which will apply starting Oct 1.

Applicants for permanent residency must demonstrate good conduct, sufficient assets or skills to support themselves, and that granting them permanent residence would serve Japan's interests.

Those applying will need a stable annual income at or above the average for Japanese households, adjusted for household size -- the latest official survey puts average annual household income at 5.75 million yen.

Applicants would also be required to have projected pension benefits equivalent to those payable after 30 years of enrollment in the employees' pension program. If the projected figure falls short, then they will be able to cover the difference with their financial assets.

New standards for assessing whether applicants meet Japan's national interest will also consider their Japanese-language ability and understanding of the country's laws and social systems as part of an overall assessment. Previous guidelines did not set explicit income, pension or language benchmarks. Why is the government tightening rules?

The government has been promoting the acceptance of foreign workers to address labor shortages caused by the country's declining birthrate and aging population. But at the same time it is clamping down on those who violate rules.

The immigration debate intensified after the July 2025 upper house election, when the emerging nationalist Sanseito party gained seats on a "Japanese First" platform calling for tighter restrictions on immigration.

Takaichi has made immigration policy one of her top priorities since taking office, creating a new cabinet post of "minister in charge of a society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals." On her X posts on Sunday, the prime minister wrote, "The government recognizes that, with the increasing number of foreign residents, there are citizens who feel anxiety and a sense of unfairness, and is addressing this by making 'foreigner policy' more 'orderly' so that both citizens and foreigners can live safely and securely." What comes next?

The government plans to finalize its basic policies on accepting foreign nationals by the close of the fiscal year on March 31. To this end, a panel established in July is examining future immigration trends and their impact on social security, education and local communities.

The central question is whether Japan should limit its foreign resident population. Options include capping foreign nationals as a share of the overall population or setting numerical limits for individual residence categories.

Drawing up a population strategy that could include numerical targets or limits for the foreign resident population was part of the coalition agreement between Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party.