Japan’s visa fees are set to jump. Will it worsen foreign labour shortages?

Japan’s plan to sharply raise residency visa fees for foreigners to levels comparable with Western countries has split opinion among expatriates, who fear the move could worsen the nation’s persistent labour shortages.

Officials say the additional revenue will be used to “improve conditions for the rapidly growing foreign resident population” and enhance efforts to deport illegal immigrants, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun report on Thursday, citing government sources.

A bill to amend the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law will be submitted to the Diet next year.

The proposal comes amid growing concern in Japan over the rising number of immigrants and overtourism, and it is expected to attract broad backing from lawmakers and the public.

But foreign residents warn that dramatically higher fees will heap fresh pressure on Japan’s labour-starved companies and deter prospective international students.

Under the planned overhaul, a permanent residency visa would soar from 10,000 yen (US$63) to 100,000 yen (US$639), while the cost to renew or change a residence status for a stay of a year or longer would rise to 40,000 yen from the current 6,000 yen.