Japan approves fivefold increase in foreign visa fees

Japan has approved a fivefold increase in visa fees for foreign nationals, marking the first such revision in nearly five decades. The new rates, which will apply to applications submitted on or after July 1, raise the cost of a single-entry visa from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen and a multiple-entry visa from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced the changes following a Cabinet meeting on Friday, June 19. He stated the revision was made to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since the current fees were set in 1978. Motegi added that the government does not anticipate an immediate impact on inbound tourism.

The visa fee increase follows legislation enacted last month that allows the government to raise a range of immigration-related charges significantly. Under that revision, the statutory upper limit for fees to change residency status or extend a period of stay will rise from 10,000 yen to 100,000 yen. The cap for permanent residency applications will increase from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen.

Within these new statutory limits, the government has proposed specific fee increases. Officials plan to raise fees for residency status changes and...