The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to raise the ceiling on fees for immigration procedures, making it likely to be enacted during the current parliamentary session ending in July.

The amendment to the immigration control and refugee recognition law was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of parliament, with backing from the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling camp and opposition parties including the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.

If the bill clears the House of Councilors, the new fees would be implemented within this fiscal year, which ends next March.

Under the revision, the ceiling would be raised to ¥100,000 ($626) for permission to change the residence status and extend the period of stay, and to ¥300,000 for permanent residence permission.…