For online applications accepted from 1 October 2026 onward, the method of paying residence-permit fees changes from revenue stamps to convenience-store payment or bank payment. Payment will be made through a payment agency service provider designated by the Director-General of the Immigration Services Agency, and the ISA is warning of fraudulent emails purporting to give payment instructions. The fee amounts themselves are covered in a separate article.
- Change of payment method: 「２０２６年１０月１日以降に申請された在留手続については、手数料の納付方法が、コンビニ決済又は銀行決済となります」（同庁）("For residence procedures applied for on or after 1 October 2026, the method of paying the fee will be convenience-store payment or bank payment," the ISA states.) 「クレジットカード決済やQRコード決済には対応しておりません」("Credit card payment and QR code payment are not supported.")
- A separate payment-handling fee is required: depending on the fee amount, ¥330 or ¥550 is added (¥220 for re-entry permission and the issuance of a certificate of authorised employment). The amount is the same whether paying at a convenience store or a bank, though there is also a note that 「一部コンビニは対応しておりません」("some convenience stores do not support this").
- Watch out for fraudulent payment-notification emails: 「オンライン申請における在留許可手数料のご案内は、出入国在留管理庁長官が指定する決済代行事業者のメールアドレス「@service-dgft.com」からのみ行います」("Notification of residence-permit fees for online applications is sent only from the email address of the payment agency service provider designated by the Director-General of the Immigration Services Agency, '@service-dgft.com'.") 「この「@service-dgft.com」以外のメールアドレスからの手数料の納付を求めるメールは詐欺です！」("Any email requesting fee payment from an address other than '@service-dgft.com' is a scam!") 「このメールアドレス以外からのメールに記載されたリンク先へのアクセスや支払い手続は行わないでください！」("Do not access any link, or carry out any payment procedure, contained in an email from any other address!") This email arrives from that sender after the completion-of-examination email, so applicants should check in advance that their spam or junk-mail filters will not block it. 「納入通知書を紙で送付することはありません」("No paper payment notice is ever sent.")
- Applications received by 30 September follow the current method: if the application is received on or before 30 September, payment is by revenue stamps even if the decision comes after October. Applications made in person continue to be paid by revenue stamps (cash purchase only).
As this is also a practical change for companies that handle residence procedures on behalf of their employees, please see our recruitment support services for advice on hiring foreign talent and residence procedures.
Source: Immigration Services Agency, "On Fee Amounts and Payment Methods for Online Applications" / Immigration Services Agency, "On the Revision of Residence-Permit Fee Amounts Effective 1 October 2026"