Costs of Applying for Permanent Residency in Osaka: Nationwide Comparison & Tips from Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

Introduction

Applying for permanent residency is a major milestone in securing a stable life in Japan.
However, the cost structure can be surprisingly complex, with a mix of nationwide standard fees and amounts that vary by region or personal circumstances.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the costs when applying in Osaka, explains how they compare to nationwide averages, and shares examples from our office’s practice along with practical tips for reducing expenses.

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Overview of Permanent Residency Application Costs in Osaka

The total cost of a permanent residency application can be broken down into four main categories:

Category	Details	Typical Cost in Osaka
Statutory Fees	Revenue stamp fee payable to Immigration (nationwide)	¥10,000
Document Issuance Fees	Resident records, tax certificates, family register, national tax certificates, etc.	Approx. ¥1,000–¥5,000
Additional Costs	ID photos, postage, translation fees, etc.	Several hundred yen to tens of thousands of yen
Administrative Scrivener Fees	Professional service fees if you hire an administrative scrivener	¥90,000–¥165,000

From our office’s perspective:
“Osaka’s market rates are mid-range or slightly lower compared to other regions in Japan. However, total costs can vary significantly depending on factors such as translations and whether multiple family members apply together. Identifying required documents and quantities early helps you estimate expenses more accurately.”

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Statutory Fees (Nationwide Standard)

The statutory fee for permanent residency is a ¥10,000 revenue stamp, paid upon approval.
This amount is uniform nationwide and was increased from ¥8,000 in April 2025.

Important points:

• The fee is paid at the time of approval, not at submission.
• For joint applications with family members, you need to pay for each applicant (e.g., a couple with one child = ¥30,000).
• Payment must be made with a revenue stamp, not cash.

Office note:
We have seen cases where clients were approved but had not prepared the stamp fee, delaying receipt of their residence card. Once your chances of approval look high, it’s wise to prepare the stamps in advance.

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Document Issuance Fees (Osaka City Example)

Below are common document issuance fees in Osaka City:

Document	Issued By	Fee	Who Needs It
Resident Record (all household members, with relationship info)	Ward Office / Convenience Store	¥300 (¥200 via convenience store)	All applicants
Municipal/Prefectural Tax Certificate (income)	Ward Office	¥300 per fiscal year	All applicants
Municipal/Prefectural Tax Payment Certificate	Ward Office	¥300 per fiscal year	All applicants
Family Register (Full Certificate)	Municipality of registered domicile	¥450 per copy	Japanese spouse or children
National Tax Payment Certificate (No. 2, etc.)	Tax Office	¥370 per copy	Self-employed / tax filers

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Additional Costs

• ID Photos: 4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 6 months (¥800–¥1,500).
• Postage: For mailing requests or return envelopes (¥100–¥500).
• Translation Fees: Required for foreign-issued documents, approx. ¥3,000–¥6,600 per document.
• Pension Record: Can be obtained free via the Nenkin Net online system (paper requests incur postage).

Office insight:
Foreign-issued documents often require multiple translations. Confirm the exact number needed in advance and order them all at once to reduce the per-document rate.

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Administrative Scrivener Fee Ranges in Osaka

Region	Full Support Range	Additional per Family Member	Notes
Osaka	¥90,000–¥165,000	¥20,000–¥40,000	Mid-range to slightly lower
Tokyo	¥132,000–¥220,000	Around ¥44,000	Tends to be higher
Nationwide Avg.	¥140,000–¥190,000	Varies	—

Office advice:
“Don’t decide based on price alone. Check what services are included. Our office covers document collection (where possible), preparation of the statement of reasons, and mock interview support.”

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Example Cost Simulations (Osaka)

Case	Out-of-Pocket Costs	Scrivener Fee	Total
Single, company employee (self-apply)	~¥13,600	¥0	~¥13,600
Japanese spouse + 1 child (self-apply)	~¥22,400	¥0	~¥22,400
Self-employed, many translations (self-apply)	~¥44,700	¥0	~¥44,700
Single, company employee (with scrivener)	~¥13,600	¥120,000	~¥133,600

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Cost-Saving Tips

1. Use convenience store issuance
   → Save ¥100 per copy on resident/tax certificates and reduce travel time.
2. Batch translation orders
   → Once you know the exact number of documents, order them together to get a better rate.
3. Get pension records online
   → Nenkin Net is free and faster.
4. Confirm document counts in advance
   → Prevents unnecessary issuance and saves time and money.

Office note:
When you hire us, we prepare a document checklist with quantities and advise on the cheapest way to obtain each.

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Our Services and Fees

At Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office (Osaka), we provide full support for permanent residency applications:

• Identifying required documents and best acquisition methods (including convenience store issuance & mail requests)
• Document collection (where possible)
• Translation arrangement for foreign-issued documents
• Preparing a clear, compelling statement of reasons
• Mock interview preparation and Q&A practice
• Consultation for reapplication if denied (conditions apply)

Conclusion

In Osaka, the basic cost of a permanent residency application is ¥10,000 statutory fee + document issuance costs + additional costs.
Translation needs and multiple applicants can greatly affect the total.
When comparing service fees, look beyond the price — focus on the scope of support provided.
Getting the right help from the start is the fastest route to approval.

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

“I want to obtain permanent residency quickly and securely.” “I’m worried about preparing all the documents.”
If this sounds like you, please feel free to contact our office in Osaka (Yodogawa-ku). We support clients from all over Japan, providing the most effective assistance based on our extensive experience with immigration procedures.

If you want to secure your permanent residency smoothly and confidently, contact our office today.

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