Japan has increased visa fees for foreign nationals by five times, its first price adjustment in almost half a century.
Starting 1 July, Japan will raise visa charges significantly, with single-entry permits increasing from 3,000 yen ($18.69; £14) to 15,000 yen, and multiple-entry visas going up from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the visa fee adjustments—made for the first time since 1978—were intended to reflect inflation and fluctuations in exchange rates.
“We do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism,” he added.
Since 2021, the Japanese yen has been steadily weakening and is now near its lowest point in roughly 40 years.
Alongside a recovery in global travel after the pandemic, this trend has contributed to a surge in tourism to Japan, which recorded an all-time high of 42.7 million international arrivals last year.
In May, Japan’s Upper House approved a bill raising several fees charged to foreigners.
As part of the changes, the maximum fee for permanent residency applications will rise to 300,000 yen, compared with the previous ceiling of 10,000 yen. In addition, fees for altering residency status or renewing a stay will increase to as much as 100,000 yen, up from the current 10,000 yen.
Officials supporting the fee increases say Japan needs to bring visa and residency charges closer in line with those of other G7 nations.
For comparison, the United States charges between $185 and $315 for non-immigrant visa applications, while in the United Kingdom, a standard visitor visa valid for up to six months costs £135.
