Japan Visa Fees to Increase Fivefold, First Hike in 48 Years

The Japanese government has decided to raise visa fees for foreign nationals, marking the first revision in 48 years. The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Friday, represents the first adjustment to visa tariffs since 1978. Citing rising administrative and operational costs driven by inflation and price increases over recent decades, the government will increase the fee for a single-entry visa from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, a fivefold rise. The cost of a multiple-entry visa will increase from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. The new fees will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the current visa fees were set in 1978 and the revision reflects inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then. He added that the government does not anticipate a direct impact on inbound tourism. The upper house of parliament passed a bill last month to raise visa-related fees for foreign nationals by up to 30 times the current levels. The additional revenue will be used to support immigration management, digitalisation of services, and the expansion of Japanese language programmes, as well as to strengthen measures against illegal overstayers. Under the revised framework, the upper limit for fees related to changes of residence status or extension of stay will rise from 10,000 yen to 100,000 yen, while the cap for permanent residency applications will increase from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen. The government aims to implement the changes before the end of the next fiscal year on 31 March 2027.