Japan Raises Visa Fees Up to Fivefold

Overview

• The government finalized a fee schedule that takes effect on July 1, 2026, increasing single-entry visa charges from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 and multiple-entry visas from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000.
• Lawmakers in May approved higher legal ceilings for residency-related fees so permanent-residence applications could be charged up to ¥300,000 and status changes or extensions up to ¥100,000.
• Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the changes update fees set decades ago to account for inflation and exchange-rate shifts and that officials do not expect an immediate drop in tourist arrivals.
• The rises narrow the gap between Japan’s long-fixed charges and typical fees in other G7 countries, a justification officials have used to defend the move.
• The increases will raise out-of-pocket costs for short-stay visitors and foreign residents, and officials and industry groups will be watching visitor numbers and application volumes for any secondary effects.