Japan to raise visa fees fivefold starting July 1, 2026

The fee revision, approved on June 19, is the first adjustment in nearly 50 years and brings prices in line with inflation and currency changes since 1978

Japan is about to multiply its visa fees by five, with new rates kicking in on July 1, 2026. A single-entry visa will cost 15,000 yen (roughly $93), up from the current 3,000 yen (~$18), while a multiple-entry visa will jump to 30,000 yen ($186) from 6,000 yen ($37), according to a press release on the Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed the change during a press conference after the Japanese government approved the revised fee ordinance on Friday, June 19, 2026. The new prices apply to all applications submitted from July 1 onward.

Why now, after nearly 50 years

The scale of the increase reflects just how long these fees have been frozen. Japan last adjusted its visa pricing in 1978, meaning the current rates have been in place for almost half a century. A preparatory document released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this spring explained that the revision is meant to catch up with decades of inflation and exchange rate shifts that have made the old figures outdated.

Embassies and consulates around the world may collect the fees in local currency based on the rules in each country, but the official reference amounts remain denominated in yen.

Will this put off tourists?

When asked whether the steep increase could dampen Japan's booming tourism industry, Motegi said the government does not anticipate a meaningful impact on visitor numbers. Japan has seen a strong recovery in international arrivals over recent years and remains one of the world's most popular travel destinations.

How this intersects with Japan's digital visa push

The fee hike lands at a time when Japan is steadily moving its entry processes online. The Japan eVISA system already lets certain travelers from eligible nationalities apply for a short-term tourist visa digitally, provided their country of residence and travel purpose qualify.

There has been no separate confirmation yet on whether the new fees will apply specifically to online applications, but since the eVISA is a digital channel for obtaining a standard visa rather than a distinct visa type, the higher rates are logically expected to carry over.

Looking further ahead, Japan is also building JESTA, an electronic travel authorization system aimed at visitors who currently enter the country without a visa for short stays. JESTA is expected to launch during fiscal year 2028 and will require travelers to submit certain information before departure, adding a layer of pre-arrival screening to the entry process.