TOKYO (Xinhua): Japan announced a draft Cabinet order on Friday to raise the fees for foreign nationals' residence status changes and renewals to up to 75,000 yen (US$466) from the current 6,000 yen.
According to a draft released by the Immigration Services Agency, the new fees for foreign nationals changing temporary residence status and extending their stay will range from 10,000 to 75,000 yen, depending on the length of stay.
The current renewal fee is set at 6,000 yen for in-person applications, regardless of the duration of stay.
Meanwhile, the fee to obtain permanent residency will rise to 200,000 yen from 10,000 yen.
The fee hikes are expected to take effect in October after a public comment period starting Friday, the agency said.
The latest revision has sparked intense criticism from foreign residents, opposition lawmakers, and civic advocates, who argue that the substantial fee hikes place an undue financial burden on foreign households without providing better integration or living support. -- XInhua
