In brief
Japan announced a five‑fold increase in entry visa fees effective 1 July, the first change in nearly half‑a‑century. A single‑entry fee rises from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, while multi‑entry climbs from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. Officials say the hike will not immediately hurt inbound tourism as the yen continues to weaken and foreign arrivals hit a record 42.7 million last year. The move aligns fees with other G7 countries and follows a broader bill raising residency and other foreign‑related costs.
Japan announced a five‑fold hike in visa fees for all foreign visitors, effective 1 July. The single‑entry fee rises from 3 000 yen to 15 000 yen, while the multi‑entry rate jumps from 6 000 yen to 30 000 yen.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the hike reflects inflation and exchange‑rate changes. He added that it is unlikely to hit inbound tourism immediately.
Japan’s currency has weakened since 2021, approaching 40‑year lows, and the country welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors in 2025.
The fee increase is part of a larger bill from the Upper House that also raises the cap for permanent‑residency applications to 300,000 yen and residency‑status changes to 100,000 yen, up from the previous limits.
Authorities aim to align Japan’s visa and residency costs with those of other G7 nations, where non‑immigrant visa fees range from $185 to $315 in the US and £135 for short‑term UK visas.
