For the first time since 1978: Japan is significantly raising visa fees
21 June 14:37
The Japanese government has decided to raise visa fees for foreign nationals, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing The Japan Times.
The decision, adopted at a cabinet meeting, marks the first change in visa fees in 48 years—since 1978. The fee for a single-entry visa will rise from the current 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen (from $18.6 to $93), and for a multiple-entry visa—from 6,000 to 30,000 yen (from $37 to $186).
The new fees will take effect on July 1, 2026.
“The current visa fee was set in 1978, and we have revised it to account for inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then. We made this decision after carefully considering various factors and do not expect it to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
The government is also proposing to raise the fees for changing residency status and extending stays from the current 5,500–6,000 yen to 10,000–70,000 yen (from $34–37 to $62–434), and for permanent residency applications—from 10,000 to 200,000 yen (from $62 to $1,240).
These changes are expected to be implemented by the end of the next fiscal year—March 31, 2027.
The additional funds are planned to be allocated to support Japan’s growing number of foreign residents, which reached a record 4.13 million people as of the end of 2025, as well as to expand Japanese language programs and strengthen measures against illegal residency.
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