- Introduction
- Background of Australia’s Student Visa Fee Increase
- What I Witnessed in the Study Abroad Support Industry
- Current State of Japan’s Immigration System
- What Japan Can Learn and Future Policy Design
- What Companies Employing Foreign Nationals Should Consider Now
- What Foreign Nationals Should Know
- What I Value as a Gyoseishoshi
- Conclusion: The Future of Immigration Policy and Our Role
Introduction
On July 1, 2026, the Australian government raised the visa application fee for international students to AUD 2,500 (approximately 280,000 yen or USD 1,900). This represents a dramatic 3.5-fold increase over just two years, making it the highest student visa fee in the world. The measure is part of a broader immigration control policy aimed at addressing a severe housing shortage.
At first glance, this news may seem like a distant issue affecting another country. However, as a gyoseishoshi (administrative scribe lawyer) specializing in visa and immigration services in Japan, and as someone who previously worked in the study abroad support industry, I cannot view this development as unrelated to Japan’s situation.
In this article, I will examine the background of Australia’s student visa fee increase, consider the possible future direction of Japan’s immigration policies, and discuss what matters most for companies employing foreign nationals and for foreigners living in Japan.
Background of Australia’s Student Visa Fee Increase
Severe Housing Shortage and Immigration Control Policy
In recent years, Australia has faced a severe housing shortage, particularly in urban areas. Housing supply has failed to keep pace with population growth, resulting in skyrocketing rents and difficulties in home ownership. Against this backdrop, immigration and the influx of international students have been identified as factors pushing up housing demand. In response, the government has shifted toward a policy of immigration control.
The increase in student visa application fees is one concrete measure within this policy. By imposing a high financial barrier, the government aims to filter applicants economically and thereby reduce the number of international students.
World’s Highest Application Fee
With this increase, Australia’s student visa application fee has become the highest in the world. For comparison, in Japan, applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書 / zairyu shikaku nintei shomeisho) is free (though revenue stamps and other fees apply separately), while applications for extension or change of status of residence (在留期間更新許可申請 / zairyu kikan koshin kyoka shinsei; 在留資格変更許可申請 / zairyu shikaku henko kyoka shinsei) cost 6,000 yen each. Even with the fee increases introduced in Oct. 2026, the difference in scale is stark.
This gap reflects not only differences in institutional design but also the distinct social contexts and policy intentions of each country.
What I Witnessed in the Study Abroad Support Industry
Seeing Young People Grow Firsthand
Before becoming a gyoseishoshi, I worked for approximately 15 years at a travel company specializing in study abroad programs and educational travel. I supported many young people — mainly junior high and high school students — who wished to study overseas.
Australia was an exceptionally popular destination among these students. It offered a safe environment, a well-established multicultural society, a welcoming attitude toward foreigners, and a robust education system. In this setting, students who studied for three months or a year underwent profound personal growth.
When they returned to Japan, they seemed like different people. Their English skills improved, of course, but more importantly, they gained independence, cross-cultural understanding, tolerance for diversity, and the ability to think and act for themselves. The speed and depth of their growth over that period far exceeded what one would typically see in a year spent in Japan.
The Educational Significance of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is not merely about language learning. It is about encountering different values and living in an environment where one’s assumptions no longer apply. This kind of experience fosters deep learning and is essential for thriving in an increasingly globalized world.
For this reason, I continue to believe that young Japanese people should experience long-term study abroad whenever possible, and I hope to provide such opportunities for my own children as well.
Current State of Japan’s Immigration System
Increase in Immigration Fees
In Oct 2026, Japan also will rise fees related to status of residence applications. Unlike Australia’s measure, this is not aimed at immigration control but rather at covering administrative costs and sustaining the immigration system.
However, given Japan’s rapidly aging population and declining birthrate, the country’s reliance on foreign workers is expected to grow. At the same time, the burden on social infrastructure will increase. In this context, it is entirely possible that Japan will implement more comprehensive policy revisions in the future.
Expansion of Foreign Worker Acceptance and Emerging Challenges
Over the past decade, Japan has rapidly expanded its acceptance of foreign workers. This includes the creation of the Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 / tokutei gino) visa category, relaxation of work restrictions for international students, reforms to the Technical Intern Training Program (技能実習制度 / gino jisshu seido), and expanded work permissions for dependent visa holders (家族滞在 / kazoku taizai).
As acceptance has increased, however, various challenges have emerged: housing, healthcare, education, language support, and integration into local communities. These issues are fundamentally the same as those Australia is facing.
What Japan Can Learn and Future Policy Design
Balanced Policy Implementation, Not Blanket Restrictions
Raising application fees uniformly, as Australia has done, can be an effective short-term immigration control measure. However, it also risks deterring talented individuals and genuine students who would otherwise contribute positively to society.
What Japan should aim for is a policy framework that distinguishes between foreign nationals based on the quality and purpose of their stay. For example:
- For legitimate university students and junior/senior high school students studying abroad for educational purposes: facilitate visa acquisition and provide financial considerations
- For highly skilled professionals and specialists: offer preferential treatment and make it easier to bring family members
- For labor-based categories such as Specified Skilled Workers and Technical Intern Trainees: clarify employer responsibilities and ensure appropriate working conditions
- For fraudulent applications or exploitation of system loopholes: strengthen screening and impose penalties as necessary
Such a balanced approach would allow Japan to welcome foreign nationals who contribute positively while managing social costs appropriately.
Transparency and Predictability of the System
For companies hiring foreign workers and for foreigners living and working in Japan, transparency and predictability of the immigration system are crucial.
Sudden rule changes or unclear criteria can disrupt corporate hiring plans and significantly affect the career plans of foreign nationals. When revising the system, authorities must provide sufficient notice, clearly explain the reasons for changes, and indicate the policy direction.
What Companies Employing Foreign Nationals Should Consider Now
Hiring Plans That Account for Policy Change Risks
Companies should develop hiring strategies for foreign workers with the assumption that Japan’s immigration system may undergo revisions in the future.
- Anticipate possible changes in visa procedures and costs
- Avoid over-reliance on a single visa category; maintain flexible hiring strategies
- Invest in creating an environment that supports long-term retention (housing, Japanese language education, career development)
Collaboration with Specialists Such as Gyoseishoshi
Immigration procedures are not merely about paperwork. They require a comprehensive assessment of the company’s business activities, the foreign national’s background, future career plans, family composition, and other factors to select the optimal status of residence and prepare application documents accordingly.
Especially during periods of institutional change, it is essential to work with specialists who stay updated on the latest information and can help avoid risks while securing approvals.
What Foreign Nationals Should Know
Accurately Understand Your Status of Residence
For foreigners living in Japan, it is critically important to understand which status of residence you hold and what you are permitted and prohibited from doing.
- Scope of permissible work
- Period of stay and timing of renewals
- Restrictions related to changing jobs or industries
- Eligibility to bring family members to Japan
Failing to understand these basics can result in unintentional legal violations, leading to revocation or non-renewal of your status of residence.
Alignment Between Future Plans and Status of Residence
As your life in Japan progresses, you will experience major life events such as marriage, childbirth, starting a business, or changing jobs. Each of these may require a change or renewal of your status of residence.
By planning ahead and considering what status of residence you should hold and what career path to pursue, you can build a stable foundation for life in Japan.
What I Value as a Gyoseishoshi
Bridging Institutions and Lives
As a gyoseishoshi engaged in immigration work, I always keep one thing in mind: visas and statuses of residence are not goals in themselves but rather tools to create a starting point for realizing a person’s life goals and aspirations.
Every client has a different background, objectives, family situation, and financial circumstances. That is why cookie-cutter responses are inadequate; individualized, optimized proposals are essential.
Cases to Accept and Cases to Decline
I believe that good support does not mean accepting every case, but rather carefully discerning which cases can lead to successful outcomes and only taking those on.
Immigration laws and regulations cannot be bent. Therefore, while I strive to find ways to achieve results within the legal framework, I also believe it is necessary to honestly decline cases with a clear risk of denial or suspected fraud.
I view my clients not as transactional counterparts but as companions on a journey toward their life and business goals.
Conclusion: The Future of Immigration Policy and Our Role
Australia’s student visa fee increase is one example of how immigration affects society and how governments respond through policy. Japan is likely to face similar challenges and may be compelled to revise its immigration system in the future.
However, the key is not to impose blanket restrictions but to design a system with balance — one that opens doors to those who should be welcomed while rigorously addressing fraudulent use.
Companies hiring foreign workers must adopt flexible hiring strategies that account for policy change risks and collaborate with specialists. Foreign nationals living in Japan must accurately understand their status of residence and ensure alignment with their future plans.
And we, as gyoseishoshi, serve as a bridge between institutions, reality, and individual lives, continuing to provide support tailored to each person.
I hope this news serves as an opportunity for each of us to think about where Japan’s immigration policy is headed.
related article: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f6fac0ca7450af8491a242eee061387f82359ab6
