Japan Visa Fees to Increase Fivefold Starting 1 July 2026, First Hike in 48 Years

The Japanese government has officially announced a new tariff structure for visas that will take effect on 1 July 2026, marking the first fee revision in 48 years. Under the new regulation, the fee for a single-entry visa will increase sharply from Rp330,000 to Rp1,650,000. The cost of a multiple-entry visa will also rise from Rp660,000 to Rp3,330,000, while the transit visa category will be abolished entirely.

Despite the substantial fee hike, the visa application procedure for Indonesian citizens remains unchanged. Since 19 October 2020, all applications must be submitted through the Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) in Kuningan, Jakarta, using a reservation system. The Japanese Embassy in Indonesia no longer accepts direct applications.

However, the visa waiver facility for holders of Indonesian electronic passports (e-paspor) will be maintained. Registered e-passport holders can continue to visit Japan for short-term tourism without a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 15 days and they have completed the necessary registration at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General. Holders of ordinary non-electronic passports are still required to apply for a visa.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the tariff adjustment was necessary as the previous rates, set in 1978, no longer reflected current economic conditions. The government does not anticipate that the increase will significantly impact foreign tourist arrivals. The additional revenue will be allocated to strengthening immigration control, accelerating the digitalisation of administrative services, improving services for foreign residents, expanding Japanese language programmes, and enhancing enforcement against immigration violations. The government has also approved revisions allowing for increases in other immigration service fees, such as changes to residency status and applications for permanent residency, with a phased implementation targeted before the end of the fiscal year on 31 March 2027.