Japan Visa Fees Rise in July

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 23, 2026 23:26 PMNews

Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji at sunrise in Japan

Japan will raise visa fees from 1 July, affecting travellers who need single-entry or multiple-entry visas before arrival. Source: unsplash

Japan is raising visa fees for foreign nationals in its first full revision of the charges since 1978. The new rates will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026, following a Cabinet decision on 19 June. The change will mainly affect tourists and business visitors from countries that still need a visa for short stays.

What Changes for Applicants

Start date: 1 July 2026
Applies to: applications submitted on or after that date
Single-entry visa: ¥15,000, up from ¥3,000
Multiple-entry visa: ¥30,000, up from ¥6,000
First revision: since 1978
Also changing: higher legal caps for some residence procedures
Future system: JESTA online travel authorisation expected in fiscal 2028

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the review reflects inflation and exchange-rate changes over nearly five decades. Japanese officials argue that the new charges remain broadly comparable with immigration fees in several Western countries. Tokyo does not expect the increase to sharply slow inbound travel, which has been helped by a weaker yen and strong demand for trips to Japan.

Bright neon signs and traffic in Shibuya, Tokyo at night — Japan’s visa fee rise will make short-stay applications more expensive, while visa-exempt travellers face later JESTA checks. Source: unsplash

The visa rise sits alongside wider immigration changes. Japan has approved higher legal ceilings for fees linked to residence-status changes, renewals and permanent residency applications. The exact fees for those residence procedures have not been fixed yet. Japan is expected to set them later through Cabinet orders and consultation, with the changes planned before the end of the current fiscal year.

The immediate travel impact is limited to visitors who need a visa before arrival. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido and Okinawa will remain straightforward for visa-exempt travellers, while applicants from non-waiver countries should budget more before booking flights. The planned JESTA system will later affect visa-free visitors too, adding a pre-travel screening step before departure.

White sand beach and turquoise water on Ishigaki island in Japan — Japan is increasing visa fees from July as part of wider immigration changes, with future screening planned for visa-free visitors. Source: unsplash

The change makes Japan more expensive at the application stage, especially for travellers who need single-entry or multiple-entry visas. It will not affect visa-exempt visitors immediately, but that group is also heading towards pre-travel screening under JESTA. Japan is keeping tourism open, while making entry checks and immigration paperwork more costly and more formal.

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