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How Much Does Japanese Naturalization Cost? Is the Application Still Free After the October 2026 Fee Changes? 【2026 Update】
“Japan is raising immigration fees in October 2026. Does that include naturalization?”
“If permanent residence will cost ¥200,000, how much does naturalization cost?”
“Is naturalization completely free if I prepare the application myself?”
These questions have become increasingly common ahead of the October 2026 fee changes.
The key distinction is:
The October 1, 2026 changes apply primarily to immigration procedures handled by the Immigration Services Agency.
Naturalization, however, is a nationality procedure handled under Japan’s Nationality Act.
As a result:
the government application fee for Japanese naturalization remains ¥0.
The Ministry of Justice continues to state that there is no fee for filing an application for permission to naturalize.
What Changes on October 1, 2026?
The revised fee system applies primarily to procedures such as:
Change of status of residence
Extension of period of stay
Permanent residence
Permanent Residence: ¥200,000
For permanent residence applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the fee payable upon approval will be ¥200,000.
Applications accepted on or before September 30, 2026 remain subject to the previous fee even if the decision is issued after October 1.
Changes and Extensions of Status of Residence
Fees for changes of status and extensions of stay will also vary according to the period of stay granted.
For online applications, the revised government fee ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥65,000, with an additional payment-processing fee.
Why Is Naturalization Different?
Permanent residence and other residence procedures are immigration matters.
Naturalization is different because it changes nationality itself.
In simple terms:
Permanent residence = remaining a foreign national with Permanent Resident status in Japan
Naturalization = acquiring Japanese nationality
The October 2026 immigration fee revision therefore does not create a new filing fee for naturalization.
Does “¥0 Application Fee” Mean Naturalization Costs Nothing?
No.
It means only that:
there is no government filing fee payable to the Legal Affairs Bureau for the naturalization application itself.
Applicants may still incur costs for:
Japanese public certificates
Foreign civil-status and nationality documents
Japanese translations
Postage
Copies
Travel
Professional assistance
1. Japanese Public Certificates
Depending on the case, applicants may need:
Certificates of residence
Taxation certificates
Tax payment certificates
Family-register-related documents where applicable
Corporate registration records
Driving record certificates
The issuing authority may charge a fee for each certificate.
Several years of records or documents concerning household members may also be required.
2. Documents From the Applicant’s Country of Nationality
Chinese applicants, for example, may need documentation concerning:
Birth
Family relationships
Marriage
Divorce
Nationality
Costs vary depending on the type of notarization, region, method of obtaining the document, representatives, and international delivery.
There is therefore no single standard cost for all Chinese applicants.
Confirm the Document List Before Ordering Everything
Obtaining every possible foreign certificate before confirming your individual requirements can waste money.
Required documents vary depending on factors such as:
Family structure
Marital history
Parents
Siblings
Children
It is generally more efficient to confirm your individual document list first.
3. Translation Costs
Foreign-language documents generally require Japanese translations.
Professional translation costs may depend on:
Number of documents
Amount of text
Language
Complexity
Applicants who can translate accurately may in some cases prepare their own translations, provided the full document is translated in accordance with Legal Affairs Bureau requirements.
4. Copying, Postage, and Travel
Additional expenses can include:
Copies
Domestic postage
International delivery
Travel to the Legal Affairs Bureau
Travel to municipal or tax offices
Applicants generally need to participate personally in key stages of the naturalization process.
For applicants aged 15 or older, the Ministry of Justice states that the application must generally be submitted in person at the relevant Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau.
5. Administrative Scrivener Fees
Applicants who prepare everything themselves do not pay professional service fees.
When an Administrative Scrivener is engaged, services may include:
Initial eligibility review
Individual document checklist
Application preparation
Organization of personal history
Review of foreign documents
Translation
Support with Legal Affairs Bureau procedures
Interview preparation
When comparing professional fees, check what is actually included, not just the headline price.
Fees at Enlight Administrative Scrivener’s Office
Employees
¥198,000 including tax
Highly Skilled Professionals and Similar Cases
¥187,000 including tax
Company Owners and Business Operators
¥242,000 including tax
Public certificate fees, postage, document-retrieval expenses, and other actual costs are charged separately where applicable.
Final fees are confirmed after reviewing the individual case.
Are Chinese and English Translations Included?
For naturalization applications formally handled by Enlight Administrative Scrivener’s Office, translation of ordinary Chinese and English civil-status documents is generally included in the standard service fee.
Unusual or unusually large volumes of translation may require separate confirmation.
Does Applying Yourself Mean the Cost Is Zero?
No.
The correct distinction is:
Government naturalization application fee = ¥0
but applicants may still incur costs for:
Certificates
Foreign documents
Translation
Postage
Copies
Travel
Applying without professional assistance removes the Administrative Scrivener fee, not necessarily every expense.
Is Naturalization “Better Value” Than Permanent Residence Because It Costs ¥0?
That is not an appropriate way to choose between the two.
Permanent residence allows you to retain your foreign nationality.
Naturalization means acquiring Japanese nationality.
The decision should therefore take account of your long-term plans, nationality, family circumstances, assets, and ties to your country of origin—not simply the government fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will Japanese Naturalization Become More Expensive in October 2026?
The October immigration fee changes do not introduce a government filing fee for naturalization.
The naturalization application fee remains ¥0.
Q. How Much Will Permanent Residence Cost From October 2026?
For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the fee upon approval will be ¥200,000.
Q. What If I Applied for Permanent Residence Before October 1?
Applications accepted by September 30, 2026 remain subject to the previous fee even if approval comes later.
Q. Is Naturalization Completely Free If I Apply Myself?
No.
Document, translation, postage, and travel expenses may still arise.
Q. Do I Have to Use a Professional Translator?
Not necessarily.
Applicants who can prepare a complete and accurate Japanese translation may be able to translate their own documents.
The Naturalization Application Fee Remains ¥0 After October 2026
The October 2026 fee revision substantially changes the cost of permanent residence and certain other immigration procedures.
However:
the Japanese naturalization application itself continues to have no government filing fee.
Actual naturalization costs depend on the applicant’s:
Nationality
Family circumstances
Employment
Foreign documentation
Translation needs
Use of professional assistance
Enlight Administrative Scrivener’s Office can first review your eligibility and determine the likely scope of documents required.
The initial naturalization eligibility check is free of charge.
