| Item | Confirmed Details |
|---|---|
| Change | Visa issuance fees for foreign nationals are increasing. |
| Previous Fees | ¥3,000 single-entry; ¥6,000 multiple-entry. |
| New Fees | ¥15,000 single-entry; ¥30,000 multiple-entry. |
| Effective Date | Applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026. |
| Historical Context | First revision of visa fees since 1978 (48 years). |
| Who Pays | Travelers from visa-required countries; visa-exemption nationals are unaffected. |
| Official Source | Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press release and Cabinet order revision (19 June 2026). |
Inside Japan’s First Visa-Fee Revision Since 1978
The Japanese government has approved a significant increase in visa issuance fees for foreign nationals. According to a Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press release and a Cabinet order revision approved on 19 June 2026, the new fee structure takes effect for all applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026. This is the first time Japan has revised its visa issuance fees since 1978, a gap of 48 years. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced the revision, stating that it reflects rising prices, and indicated he does not expect an immediate impact on inbound tourism. The government has framed the increase as reflecting decades of inflation and exchange-rate shifts.
New Single-Entry and Multiple-Entry Visa Fees from 1 July 2026
The evidence confirms a roughly fivefold (quintupled) increase for the most common visa categories. The single-entry visa fee rises from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000, and the multiple-entry visa fee rises from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000. The quintupled rates apply specifically to standard single- and multiple-entry visas, typically associated with tourism and short-term visits. Detailed fee breakdowns for other specific visa types — such as work, student, or long-stay visas — are not yet available in the official material, and applicants in those categories should consult the official fee tables per visa type.
Who Pays Japan’s Higher Visa Fees, and Who Stays Exempt
The increase applies only to travelers who need a visa to enter Japan — nationals of more than 100 visa-required countries, including China, India, and Vietnam. Travelers from countries holding visa-exemption agreements with Japan — including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most of Western Europe — are not affected, as they enter for short stays without applying for a visa. Japan maintains reciprocal short-stay visa exemptions with around 70 countries and regions (MOFA’s visa-exemption page lists 74). One timing point matters for those who do need a visa: because the new rates apply to applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026, applications filed before that date are still processed at the old fee. Looking further ahead, Japan plans to introduce JESTA, an electronic travel authorization system targeted for 2028 that may eventually apply to currently visa-exempt travelers; its fee has not been finalized.
Zagdim Analysis
For visa-required travelers and businesses, this is a material operational change rather than a headline curiosity. A few points are worth weighing:
- Frequent travelers and tour operators should rebuild trip budgets around ¥15,000 single-entry and ¥30,000 multiple-entry costs, not the previous rates.
- Applicants who already know they need a visa should weigh filing before 1 July 2026, since the submission date — not the travel date — determines the fee.
- Planners in work, student, or long-stay categories should confirm their specific fee directly, as those schedules are not yet fully published.
For most short-stay visitors from exemption countries, the practical impact today is minimal — but the planned JESTA system is worth tracking for anyone who relies on visa-free entry.
For most short-stay visitors from visa-exempt countries, this change costs nothing. But for travelers and long-stay planners from visa-required markets, the higher fees reshape the upfront cost of a Japan trip, study plan, or work-linked move — and the pre-1 July filing window is a real lever for anyone who already needs a visa. If you’re weighing how this affects your own situation, we can help you sort out your next step.
This article is based on officially verified sources current as of 30 June 2026. Requirements change frequently. Always confirm your specific situation and the applicable fee for your visa category with the relevant Japanese embassy/consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) directly.
