Japan Increases Visa Fees for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years
Travelling to Japan could become significantly more expensive for visitors who require a visa after the Japanese government introduced its first visa fee increase since 1978.
The new charges came into effect on 1 July, with the cost of both single and multiple-entry visas increasing five-fold as Japan updates fees to reflect rising administrative costs and growing demand for immigration services.
How Much Have Japan's Visa Fees Increased?
Under the revised fee structure:
Single-entry visas have increased from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000.
Multiple-entry visas have risen from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000.
The new charges apply to travellers from countries that require a visa before entering Japan, including visitors from China, India, the Philippines and many countries across the Middle East.
According to the Japanese government, the previous fee structure had remained unchanged for nearly five decades and no longer reflected the true cost of processing visa applications.
Why Has Japan Raised Visa Fees?
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the increase is designed to account for decades of inflation and changes in exchange rates since visa fees were last reviewed in 1978.
The changes also come as Japan continues to modernise its immigration system.
By the end of 2025, Japan's foreign resident population had reached a record 4.13 million, increasing pressure on immigration services and creating the need for additional staff, upgraded technology and expanded infrastructure.
Officials also noted that Japan's visa fees have historically been much lower than those charged by several other countries.
Will the Higher Fees Affect Tourism?
Despite the sharp increase, the Japanese government does not expect the higher visa costs to discourage international visitors.
Japan welcomed more than 42.7 million overseas visitors in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic tourism records and reinforcing the country's popularity as one of Asia's leading travel destinations.
For business travellers, however, the higher cost of multiple-entry visas may become an additional consideration, particularly for companies that regularly send employees to Japan.
Visa-Free Travellers Are Not Affected
The increase does not apply to travellers from the UK, United States, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and dozens of other countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry to Japan.
For these visitors, travel arrangements remain unchanged for now.
Japan's New Electronic Travel Authorisation Is Coming
Although visa-free travellers are unaffected by the latest fee increase, another change is on the horizon.
Japan is developing the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), a new pre-travel screening system similar to the United States' ESTA programme.
Once introduced, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to apply online for travel authorisation before boarding flights to Japan.
JESTA is expected to launch sometime between April 2028 and March 2029, and no action is required for trips planned during 2026 or 2027.
A fee of between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 has been discussed, although the Japanese government has yet to confirm the final cost.
Permanent Residency Fees Also Rising
The visa fee increase forms part of a wider overhaul of Japan's immigration charges.
The maximum fee for permanent residency applications will rise from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000, while applications to extend a stay or change residency status could now cost up to ¥100,000, compared with the previous maximum of ¥10,000.
These changes primarily affect foreign nationals already living and working in Japan, including expatriates and long-term residents.
What It Means for Travellers
For most holidaymakers from visa-exempt countries, including those from the UK, there is no immediate impact.
However, travellers who require a Japanese visa should expect significantly higher application costs from now on and should factor the increase into their travel budget when planning future trips.