Japan's government has announced plans to increase visa fees for foreign nationals by approximately five times starting in fiscal year 2026. The policy, included in the initial budget approved by the Cabinet on December 26, 2025, marks the first adjustment to Japan's visa fees since 1978, a historic shift after nearly half a century.

New Fee Structure

Under the proposed changes, single-entry visas will increase from the current ¥3,000 (approximately $20) to ¥15,000 ($100), while multiple-entry visas will rise from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000. The government expects these changes to generate approximately ¥120 billion ($800 million) in revenue for the fiscal year 2026 budget.

Japan's current visa fees are remarkably low compared to other G7 nations. While the United States charges $185 (about ¥28,000) for a tourist visa and European Schengen visas cost €90 (approximately ¥16,000), Japan has maintained fees at around ¥3,000, a fraction of international standards.

Residence Status Fees Also Set to Rise

Beyond visa issuance fees for tourists, the government is also considering substantial increases to fees for residence-related procedures used by foreign residents already living in Japan.

Following amendments to the Immigration Control Act, the government aims to implement these changes within fiscal year 2026. According to reports, visa renewal and status change fees could increase from the current ¥6,000 to ¥30,000-40,000, while permanent residency applications may jump from ¥10,000 to over ¥100,000.

Since the current Immigration Control Act caps fees at ¥10,000, legal amendments will be required to enable higher charges. The government plans to submit the revision bill to the regular Diet session in 2026.

Driving Factors Behind the Increase

Multiple factors have contributed to this decision.

First, the surge in foreign visitors has dramatically increased visa processing costs. As of September 2025, Japan had already welcomed over 30 million international visitors, on track to break records for the second consecutive year. Foreign residents in Japan also reached a historic high of approximately 4 million in June 2025.

Second, the government aims to address overtourism concerns. Popular destinations like Kyoto and Tokyo have struggled with overcrowding, environmental strain, and disruption to local communities. Revenue from increased fees will be directed toward tourism infrastructure and dispersing visitors to less-traveled regions.

Third, officials hope to reduce fraudulent or incomplete applications. According to Foreign Ministry sources, the low fees have encouraged careless submissions, and the increase aims to "discourage applications with little necessity."

Japanese Citizens to See Reduced Costs

Interestingly, while raising fees for foreign nationals, the Japanese government is simultaneously reducing costs for its own citizens.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on December 23 that passport application fees will be significantly reduced. The 10-year passport will drop from approximately ¥16,000 to around ¥9,000, while 5-year passports for those under 18 will be unified at approximately ¥4,500. The 5-year passport option for adults aged 18 and over will be discontinued.

To fund this reduction, the International Tourist Tax (departure tax) will increase from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure starting July 2026. While this tax applies to all travelers regardless of nationality, the passport fee reduction will effectively offset the increase for Japanese citizens.

Impact on Foreign Workers and Residents

The proposed fee increases for residence-related procedures could significantly impact foreign workers and long-term residents in Japan.

Those most affected include holders of work visas and student visas requiring renewal every 1-3 years. For example, a family of four, a working husband with a spouse visa holder and two children on dependent visas, currently pays ¥24,000 combined for renewals. If fees rise to ¥40,000 per person, this would balloon to ¥160,000.

Many foreign workers in Japan, including English teachers (ALTs), caregivers, and those in construction or hospitality, do not earn high salaries. For these workers, incurring additional tens of thousands of yen for each renewal represents a substantial financial burden.

Additionally, if permanent residency application fees exceed ¥100,000, this could raise both psychological and economic barriers for foreigners seeking to establish long-term roots in Japan.

International Reactions

The policy has generated diverse reactions from international media and foreign resident communities in Japan.

Some voices express understanding, noting that "Japan's visa fees were indeed too low" and that "aligning with Western standards is reasonable." However, critics argue that "increasing burdens while depending on foreign workers is contradictory" and question whether the tourist fee hikes represent "an attempt to filter for only 'quality' tourists."

GaijinPot, a popular English-language resource for foreigners in Japan, observed that "clunky paperwork might be more of a deterrent than the price." Some commentary has also connected the fee increases to rising anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan, with observers watching closely how policies develop going forward.

Looking Ahead

The government will solicit public comments before finalizing the exact amounts. Visa fee changes are expected to take effect within fiscal year 2026, while residence-related fees will follow Immigration Control Act amendments, likely in fiscal year 2026 or 2027.

Additionally, Japan plans to introduce JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization), similar to the U.S. ESTA program, by 2028 for nationals of visa-waiver countries. Japan's immigration framework is poised for significant transformation in the coming years.

What are visa fees and residence procedure costs like in your country? How much do you think these costs influence decisions by tourists and potential immigrants? Share your thoughts in the comments below.