Japan has announced a five-fold increase in visa fees for foreign nationals, marking the first adjustment in nearly 50 years.
From 1 July, the cost of a single-entry visa will rise from 3,000 yen (about $18.69 or £14) to 15,000 yen, while multiple-entry visas will increase from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.
The revisions, the first since 1978, were introduced to “reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations,” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday. He added that the government does not expect an immediate impact on inbound tourism.
Japan has experienced a prolonged weakening of the yen since 2021, with the currency now trading near a 40-year low. Combined with a post-pandemic travel rebound, this has driven a sharp rise in visitor numbers, with the country welcoming a record 42.7 million international tourists last year.
In May, Japan’s Upper House also passed legislation to increase several other fees related to foreign residents. Under the new rules, the upper limit for permanent residency applications will rise to 300,000 yen, up from 10,000 yen. Fees for changing residency status or extending a stay will also increase to as much as 100,000 yen, compared to the current 10,000 yen.
Authorities behind the changes say the adjustments are aimed at bringing Japan’s visa and residency fees more in line with other G7 countries.
For comparison, non-immigrant visa fees in the United States range between $185 and $315, while a standard six-month short-stay visa in the United Kingdom costs £135.