Japan has increased visa fees for foreign visitors by more than five times starting July 1, the first-time fees have gone up in 48 years. According to the government, the adjustment is a reflection of decades of inflation and currency changes and is not expected to have a major impact on the number of visitors coming into the country. People traveling from more than 100 countries, China, India, and Vietnam among them, will be affected by the change, while travelers from visa-exempt countries like the United States will still be able to enter without paying a visa fee.
The decision is part of a broader immigration push by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has been working to tighten policies and keep better track of foreign nationals living in or visiting Japan. Her administration has raised concerns about tourists who misuse their visas or end up staying past their allowed time. The people most immediately affected will be tourists and business travelers coming from countries that require a visa to get into Japan.
Earlier this year, parliament also passed legislation giving the government the green light to significantly increase fees tied to residency status changes, visa renewals, and permanent residency applications. Under the new setup, fees for residency-related matters could climb as high as 70,000 yen, while applying for permanent residency could cost up to 200,000 yen. The government is aiming to roll these changes out before the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
Officials have said the extra revenue will be used to better support foreign nationals living in Japan, things like expanding Japanese language programs and improving access to consultation services. These updates follow other recent changes to the system, like tougher requirements for business manager visas, all aimed at cutting down on misuse of the immigration system.
Not everyone is on board, though. Critics say the sharp fee increases could make Japan a harder sell for skilled workers, business owners, international students, and people who have been living there for years. Legal experts and advocacy groups have cautioned that pricing people out could hurt Japan’s appeal at a time when the country is already struggling with a shrinking workforce and an aging population.
