Japan to Raise Visa Fees Fivefold from 2026, First Adjustment in 48 Years

The Japanese government has officially increased visa fees for foreign nationals after approving a revision to cabinet regulations regarding immigration. This policy represents the first adjustment in 48 years, since the last visa tariffs were established in 1978.

According to the Japan Times, starting 1 July 2026, the cost of a single-entry visa will rise from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen. Assuming an exchange rate of Rp110 per yen, this represents an increase from approximately Rp330,000 to Rp1.65 million.

Meanwhile, the cost for multiple-entry visas will increase from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen, or from approximately Rp660,000 to Rp3.3 million.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the adjustment was made to reflect changes in economic conditions over the past five decades. “The current visa fees were set in 1978. We are revising them considering the inflation and exchange rate fluctuations that have occurred since then,” said Motegi.

Despite the significant increase in tariffs, the Japanese government believes the policy will not immediately affect foreign tourist arrivals to the country. “We have carefully considered various factors and do not anticipate that this policy will have a direct impact on inbound tourism,” Motegi added.

In addition to visas, Japan is also raising the fee ceilings for various other immigration services. Previously, the maximum fee for changing residence status or extending a period of stay was set at 10,000 yen, or approximately Rp1.1 million. Following the revision, this ceiling will rise to 100,000 yen, or approximately Rp11 million.

For permanent residence applications, the fee ceiling, which was originally 10,000 yen (Rp1.1 million), will rise to 300,000 yen, or approximately Rp33 million.

The government has also proposed increasing the costs for changing residence status and extending stays from the range of 5,500–6,000 yen (Rp605,000–Rp660,000) to 10,000–70,000 yen (Rp1.1 million–Rp7.7 million). Furthermore, the fee for permanent residence applications is planned to rise from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, or approximately Rp22 million.

The Japanese government stated that the additional revenue from these increases will be used to support the management of the steadily increasing foreign population. By the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record 4.13 million people.

The additional funds will also be allocated to expanding Japanese language education programmes and strengthening the handling of residence permit violations.

The government argued that Japan’s immigration service fees remain relatively low compared to several Western nations. For comparison, visa extension fees in the United States range from approximately US$420–US$470 (Rp6.8 million–Rp7.6 million), while in Germany, they reach 93–98 euros (approximately Rp1.75 million–Rp1.84 million).