Japan to Increase Its Visa Fees for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years

Japan travelers, take note: Your next trip to the Land of the Rising Sun could come with a slightly higher price tag. For the first time in 48 years, the country is set to raise its visa fees—and that’s just the start of the changes coming for international visitors.

Japan will raise its visa issuance fees starting April 2026, marking the first increase in 48 years, according to Japanese news agency Jiji Press, reported by the Philippine News Agency and Nippon.com. The new fees will apply to both short-term tourist visas and applications to renew or change residence status.

Currently, a single-entry visa costs 3,000 yen (around P1,100), which remains far lower than the cost of visas for other major countries.

The government explained that the fee adjustment reflects rising costs of visa issuance and aims to align Japan’s rates more closely with international standards. Jiji Press, via the Philippine News Agency, noted that part of the additional revenue will also go toward measures addressing overtourism, including improvements to popular destinations such as Kyoto and Mount Fuji.

Japan is also considering a significant hike in its departure tax, formally known as the International Tourist Tax. The government and ruling parties are reportedly looking to raise the fee from the current 1,000 yen (around P370) per traveler to 3,000 yen (around P1,140) or more by fiscal 2026, according to Jiji Press, reported by Nippon.com.

Introduced in 2019, the departure tax applies to anyone leaving Japan, regardless of nationality, and is automatically added to airline and ship fares. Revenue from the tax reached a record 52.5 billion yen in fiscal 2024, fueled by the country’s booming tourism. The Japan Times reported that the funds are being used to improve visitor facilities, ease congestion in busy destinations, and support other measures to tackle overtourism.

Officials have noted that a higher levy could discourage Japanese nationals from traveling abroad, so the government is also exploring a possible reduction in passport issuance fees, according to Nikkei Asia.