Tokyo, Jun 22 (V7N) – Japan has significantly increased visa and residency-related fees for foreign nationals, marking the first major revision in nearly five decades, with costs rising by up to five times under the new policy.
The Japanese government announced that the updated fee structure will take effect from July 1. Under the revised system, the fee for a single-entry visa has been increased from 3,000 yen (about 18.69 USD) to 15,000 yen. Multiple-entry visa fees have also risen sharply, from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the decision reflects changes in inflation and foreign exchange rates, adding that it is not expected to significantly impact tourist arrivals in the short term.
Japan has seen a sharp rise in international tourism in recent years, driven in part by a weaker yen. Last year, the country welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors as the tourism sector continued its post-pandemic recovery.
In addition to visa fees, Japan has also increased several other immigration-related charges. A recently passed law raised the permanent residency application fee to as much as 300,000 yen, nearly 30 times higher than previous levels.
Fees for changing residency status or extending visa validity have also been raised, now ranging up to 100,000 yen compared to the earlier 10,000 yen.
The government said the adjustments aim to align Japan’s immigration-related costs with those of other G7 nations.
For comparison, non-immigrant visa fees in the United States range from 185 to 315 dollars, while short-term visa fees in the United Kingdom can reach up to 135 pounds.
END/SMA/AJ
