It feels like the price of almost everything has gone up over the past few years, and many elements of international getaways are no exception to that general rule. Now, some travelers planning a trip to Japan may need to set aside a little extra cash before they even board the plane.
From July 1st, fees for foreign nationals who require a visa to enter the country are set to increase, marking the first change to Japan's visa pricing in nearly 50 years. A single-entry visa will rise from 3,000 JPY to 15,000 JPY, while a multiple-entry visa will increase from 6,000 JPY to 30,000 JPY. Travelers from countries and regions that currently enjoy visa-free short-term tourist entry won't be affected.
Officials supporting the increase have pointed out that Japan's visa fees have long been lower than those charged by many other major destinations. The current 3,000 JPY fee for a single-entry visa is considerably less than the equivalent of roughly 29,000 JPY in the United States, around 26,000 JPY in the United Kingdom and approximately 16,000 JPY across much of Europe. The government says rising issuance costs, along with inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, have contributed to the decision to revise the fees for the first time since 1978.
Even with the significant jump, officials don't expect the higher costs to dampen interest in visiting Japan. The country remains one of the world's most popular travel destinations, helped in big part by the weak yen, expanded flight connections, and strong post-pandemic demand. Those factors have continued to draw visitors in record numbers, with 42.7 million international travelers arriving in 2025 alone.
If you're planning a trip and need a visa to enter Japan, it's worth keeping the new fees in mind when budgeting. While visiting may be getting a little more expensive for some travelers, figures would suggest that plenty of people still consider it money well spent.
