Japan's Immigration System Is Changing. The Visa Fee Hike Is Just One Piece  

For the first time since 1978, Japan is raising its visa fees. The cabinet approved this revision on June 19, 2026, with new rates taking effect July 1 and applying to all foreigners who need a visa before entering the country. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the change reflects inflation and exchange rate fluctuations accumulated since the fees were last set. He also stated that they do not expect an immediate impact on inbound tourism.

In practice, this is not a small raise. Japan is raising its visa fees five times over, and how much you pay will depend on how many times you plan to enter the country.

More Than Just a Tourist Fee

Japan is moving from a 3,000 yen single-entry visa fee to 15,000 yen, roughly from $18 to $93. But for travelers planning to enter the country multiple times, the fee jumps from 6,000 to 30,000 yen, roughly from $37 to $186. Applications already filed before July 1 remain under the old fee structure. The fees are set in yen, but Japanese embassies and consulates may collect them in local currency depending on the country.

The revision is part of a broader immigration bill that passed Japan's Lower House in April and was approved by the Upper House last month, with support from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People.

Beyond the visa fees, the same bill raises residency status change and extension fees to between 10,000 and 70,000 yen, and permanent residency application fees from 10,000 to 200,000 yen, both targeted before March 2027.

These increases come as Japan manages a record foreign population of 4.13 million, reached by the end of 2025. The government plans to put the additional revenue toward processing a growing volume of visa applications, expanding Japanese language education programs, tightening enforcement against overstays, and funding measures to combat overtourism. 

Since around 68,500 known overstayers were recorded in the country as of January, raising fees is not the only tool Japan is deploying. 

Japan Is Tightening the Gates 

The government plans to introduce JESTA, an electronic travel authorization system modeled on the US ESTA, by March 2029. It will apply to travelers from visa-exempt countries, screening them before arrival to prevent entry of those who have been deported or flagged as a security concern. 

Travelers who already require a visa can use Japan's eVisa system to apply online for a short-term tourist visa before departure. Although the new fees are expected to apply to those online applications as well, Japan has not issued separate guidance confirming this. 

But not everyone will feel the change because Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions, meaning citizens from those countries are not affected for short stays. Travelers who need a visa to enter the country will feel it most, with China, India, Vietnam, and Russia among the key affected markets. 

Keep Connectivity in Mind 

Public Wi-Fi in Japan is patchy and not as widespread as in other Asian destinations. And with Japan's new travel law now running entry largely through Visit Japan Web, you will need a working phone at the airport. The service generates a QR code you present at immigration and customs. No signal, no QR code, and you are back in the paper queue.

An eSIM is a practical fix for this. You activate it before departure and land already connected while your home SIM stays active for calls at the same time. No hunting for a SIM card at the airport, no roaming surprises.