Japan to Raise Visa Fees Fivefold from July 1

Japan's government has approved the largest visa fee hike in nearly half a century.

Effective July 1, the fee for a single-entry visa will rise from ¥3,000 (about €18) to ¥15,000 (€87), while a multiple-entry visa will increase from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000 (€175). This is the first revision of visa fees since 1978.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the current system no longer reflects the true administrative cost of issuing visas and managing immigration procedures. The government argues that even after the increase, Japan's fees remain comparable to those charged by the United States and Germany.

Despite the sharp increase, Tokyo does not expect a major impact on tourism, as Japan has seen record international visitor numbers in recent years, supported by a weak yen and strong demand.

The visa hike is part of a larger immigration reform. On May 29, the upper house approved amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. The legislation raises the ceiling for residence status changes and visa renewals from ¥10,000 (€58) to ¥100,000 (€583), and for permanent residency applications from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000 (€1,750).

Actual fees will be set later through cabinet orders and public consultation. Government proposals suggest long-term residents could pay between ¥10,000 and ¥70,000 (€408), while permanent residency applicants might face a fee of ¥200,000 (€1,167). These changes are expected by the end of the 2026 fiscal year on March 31, 2027.

Japanese authorities say additional revenue will help fund administration of the growing foreign population, which reached a record 4.13 million at the end of 2025. Funds will support Japanese-language education, anti-overstay measures, and improved tracking systems.

The reforms also introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), similar to systems in the US and UK. Travelers from 74 visa-waiver countries will need to submit personal and travel details before departure. Authorities will screen against immigration and criminal databases; those deemed high-risk for overstaying could be denied boarding. JESTA is expected to launch in fiscal 2028.