The Japanese government has made a recent change that is good news for anyone planning to visit Japan. Please take note of this fact. On June 19, a meeting was held to decide on the increase in visa processing fees for individuals from different countries. July 1, 2026, marks the effective date of this modification.
The charges will be substantially raised, up to 5% more. The fees have changed in 48 years, and this will now impact the cost of visiting Japan. Visa applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, will be subject to the new fees. This is a concise record of the modifications.
Visa Type with Current Fee & New Fee (Starting July 1. 2026)
Single-Entry Visa
| 3,000 JPY ( Currently) | 15,000 JPY ( New Fee)
Multiple-Entry Visa
| 6,000 JPY ( Currently) | 30,000 JPY ( New Fee)
The new single-entry fee is approximately the same as 630, to clarify RMB 2,950. New Taiwan Dollars or 730, exchange rate based on HKD.
What led to the rise in Fees?
Two Main Reasons
The fees have significantly increased, leading many to wonder why. At a news conference, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi provided an explanation for the reasons. He mentioned two explanations:
- Those were, fees that had been set back in 1978, the yen’s value and the global economy have undergone significant changes since then. Those old fees don’t even cover the costs of visa processing.
- An entry visa for a short duration to the US costs approximately $185. The cost of a UK visa and USD travel insurance is approximately £127. These countries will be matched with Japan’s fees by the new charges.
Will This Affect Tourism?
What the Government Says
A significant hike in fees could have an impact on the number of tourists visiting Japan. The government, as per Minister Motegi, does not believe that this will impede people from visiting Japan immediately.
According to the Japanese government, the new fees are expected to generate an additional income, 116.1 billion JPY in the 2026 year. This money is intended to enhance the visa screening system and improve the service.
The charges for visas may increase as well. Keep in mind that this alteration in visa fees may not be the sole change. On May 29, 2026, while these charges are the highest, they indicate that long-term stay fees may rise in the future.
Changing or Renewing Residency Status.
The current fee is 6,000 dollars. Although the JPY is not a fixed number, it has the potential to increase,100,000 JPY. Getting Permission for Permanent Residency, the current fee is 10,000 JPY. It could go up to 300,000 JPY.
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Advice for Travelers
The cost of traveling to Japan will be impacted by the rise in visa fees. There are some groups that have a positive development. For example people from Taiwan. Tourists visiting Japan for tourism purposes can skip the need for a visa up to 90 days.
Nevertheless, there exists a mechanism named JESTA, that will start in 2028. Similar to the US ESTA, this system is operational. Prior to flying to Japan, travelers from countries without visas must submit their information online and receive approval.
In short the increase in visa fees will make traveling to Japan a bit more expensive. Japan is still a great place to visit with its unique culture and interesting experiences. If you are planning to apply for a visa after July 1 make sure to include the fee, in your budget and plan ahead.