Unprecedented Hike in Japan’s Visa Fees: A 400% Increase After Nearly 50 Years
As of July 1, 2026, travelers heading to Japan are faced with a significant new expense. For the first time in almost half a century, Japan has increased its tourist visa fees. The cost for a single-entry visa has soared from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 (approximately $93). Similarly, a multiple-entry visa now comes with a price tag of ¥30,000 (around $186), up from ¥6,000. This represents a fivefold increase across the board.
Japan’s Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, confirmed that the revision reflects nearly five decades of inflation and major exchange-rate shifts since the fees were last set in 1978. “The current visa fee was set in 1978, and we have recently revised it to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then,” he stated. The additional revenue is also expected to contribute to administrative costs tied to Japan’s burgeoning foreign resident population, which reached a record high of 4.13 million at the end of 2025.
This fee hike primarily impacts travelers from over 100 countries, including China, India, and Vietnam, that currently require a visa to enter Japan. However, citizens of approximately 74 visa-exempt nations, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most of Western Europe, are not affected by this change. Despite the steep increase, Japanese officials remain optimistic, stating they do not anticipate an immediate negative effect on inbound tourism, which peaked at a record 42.6 million visitors in 2025.
In addition to the fee increase, Japan is also in the process of planning a new electronic travel authorization system, named JESTA. Expected to be in place by 2028, this system may introduce pre-entry requirements for currently visa-exempt travelers.
Source: CNBC — Japan is raising visa fees by up to 400% for the first time in nearly 50 years