The Japanese government is planning a significant increase in visa processing fees for foreign visitors under its fiscal 2026 budget proposal approved on December 26. If implemented, the fee for a single-entry visa could rise to 15,000 yen, nearly five times the current charge of around 3,000 yen, while a multiple-entry visa may cost up to 30,000 yen.
Authorities will seek public feedback before finalising the revised fee structure. The proposal is expected to generate approximately 120 billion yen in revenue and is intended to align Japan’s visa fees with those charged by the United States and European countries.
Officials say the increase is aimed at reducing false or incomplete visa applications, which they believe are encouraged by the current low fees. Japan’s visa processing charges have remained unchanged since 1978.
The move is part of broader efforts to manage overtourism. While the government plans to raise the airport departure tax next fiscal year, it will offset the impact on Japanese citizens by reducing the cost of a 10-year passport by 7,000 yen, bringing it down to about 9,000 yen.