Japan is reportedly planning to increase its visa application fees to levels comparable with those in the United States and European countries. This move comes as the nation grapples with a record-breaking surge in international visitors, which has consequently driven up operational costs for its administrative services.
The new fee schedule is expected to be benchmarked against the charges levied by G7 nations and member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The specific magnitude of the increase is yet to be finalized.
These changes will apply across various visa categories, including tourism, business, and long-term stays. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning to solicit public feedback before formally implementing the new fees, which could take effect as early as the next fiscal year.
Currently, the fee for a single-entry visa to Japan is approximately 3,000 yen (around $20 USD), while a multiple-entry visa costs about 6,000 yen ($40 USD). In comparison, the short-term visa fee in the United States is $185 USD; in the UK, it is $177 USD; and in Canada, it is CAD 100 ($71 USD).
France, Germany, and Italy—all members of the Schengen Area, which permits free movement within the bloc—each charge 90 euros ($105 USD) for a short-stay visa.
These international counterparts frequently adjust their visa fees to account for inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and to manage the flow of foreign nationals. In stark contrast, Japan has not raised its visa fees since 1978, according to available historical data.
However, the unprecedented influx of international tourists has necessitated the government hiring additional staff to process applications, substantially increasing administrative overheads.
The Japanese government is also contemplating a policy to collect the visa fee at the time of application submission, similar to the practice in the U.S. and Europe. This is intended to deter “speculative” or incomplete applications and alleviate the administrative processing burden.
In the first half of this year, Japan welcomed 21.5 million international visitors, a significant jump from 17.8 million during the same period last year. This marks the first time visitor numbers have surpassed the 20 million mark in the first six months, and the total is projected to continue rising.
The government believes that raising visa fees can be one measure to help mitigate issues associated with overtourism.
Japan currently mandates short-term visas for citizens from over 120 countries, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Last year, Japan issued 5.24 million visas to Chinese citizens, accounting for 70% of the total visas granted. The Philippines followed with 570,000, and Vietnam with 320,000. These three nations collectively accounted for nearly 90% of all Japanese visas issued.
Conversely, Japan maintains a short-term visa waiver program for citizens of 74 countries and regions, including the U.S., South Korea, and Australia. Some government officials propose that increasing fees for international visitors could serve as a non-tax revenue stream, thereby avoiding an increased tax burden on domestic residents.
In May, a group of lawmakers put forward a proposal to abolish the consumption tax exemption for international tourists and to increase the existing “international tourist tax” levied upon departure from Japan.
Critics of the consumption tax exemption argue that it allows foreign visitors to purchase large quantities of goods for resale and profit, an activity they contend is incompatible with the tourism-oriented national image Japan is striving for.
Furthermore, the ancient capital of Kyoto has already taken steps to address overtourism. The city plans to increase its accommodation tax, potentially requiring tourists to pay an additional 10,000 yen (approximately $68 USD) per night. This proposal was approved by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 3rd and is expected to be implemented next year. It marks the first increase in Kyoto’s accommodation tax since its introduction in 2018.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, revenue from the international tourist tax reached a record 48.1 billion yen during the period from April 2024 to April 2025, representing a 33% increase compared to the previous year’s figures.
(According to Asia Nikkei)
