Japan visa fees to rise 400% from July 1: Which countries are worst affected, and answers to all your other questions
Japan visa fees rise information: Effective July 1, Japan will raise entry visa fees for all foreigners for the first time since 1978. The only fee increase in nearly 50 years was a staggering increase of almost five times. From July 1, single-entry visa fees will rise from the current 3,000 yen ($18.69) to 15,000 yen ($92.83), while multiple-entry visa fees will rise from 6,000 yen ($37.13) to 30,000 yen ($185.66).Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the visa fee increase was to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. The Japanese government does not expect the rising fees to have any direct impact on the tourism industry.According to reports, the continued depreciation of the yen since 2021 is the main reason for the increase in visa fees. The yen is currently hovering near a 40-year historical low. That, coupled with a post-pandemic travel rebound, has led to a surge in visitors to Japan. Last year, the country welcomed a record 42.7 million international tourists.In May, Japan’s upper house enacted a bill to raise other fees related to foreigners. Under this revision, the legal upper limit for permanent residence applications will be increased to 300,000 yen, which is 30 times the current upper limit of 10,000 yen. The fee for changing the status of residence or extending the period of stay has also increased from the current 10,000 yen to 100,000 yen.
List of affected countries
A report in The New York Times said the fee would apply to visitors from more than 100 countries, including China, India and Vietnam, which were among Japan’s largest sources of tourists last year. The cost of a single-entry visa ranges from $18 to $93, and the cost of a multiple-entry visa ranges from $37 to $186. Visitors from the United States and about 70 other countries will not have to pay new fees thanks to the visa exemption. Currently, these travelers can enter for free. Japan plans to launch an electronic system called Jesta for visa-free travelers in 2028, but its cost has not yet been determined.Taka City’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party said the revenue would subsidize passport fees for Japanese nationals, who would have to pay about $43 less.Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where tourists need to obtain a visa. And China will be one of the countries hardest hit by the new proposal.
