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Japan's visa issuance fee rises sharply on July 1, 2026 — the first change since 1978.
Japan's visa issuance fee rises sharply on July 1, 2026 — the first change since 1978. The increase is real and confirmed, but it changes cost, not access, for most travelers.
In short
Japan's visa issuance fee rises July 1, 2026: single-entry from JPY 3,000 to JPY 15,000, multiple-entry from JPY 6,000 to JPY 30,000 — the first change since 1978. It applies only to travelers whose passport requires a Japan visa; visa-exempt short-stay tourists are unaffected. Treat this as a cost change, not a routing or eligibility change.
What changed
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is raising visa issuance fees for the first time since 1978, effective July 1, 2026. The fee for a single-entry visa rises from JPY 3,000 to JPY 15,000. The fee for a multiple-entry visa rises from JPY 6,000 to JPY 30,000 — roughly a fivefold increase in both cases. The new fees apply to applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026 and are payable when the visa is issued at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
Key facts
Japan visa fee increase, effective July 1, 2026
- Single-entry visa
- JPY 3,000 -> JPY 15,000
- Multiple-entry visa
- JPY 6,000 -> JPY 30,000
- Effective date
- July 1, 2026 (applications submitted on or after this date)
- Context
- First fee revision since 1978
- Who is unaffected
- Travelers from visa-exempt countries for short tourist stays — this fee applies only to travelers who require a visa to enter Japan
Who it affects
This affects travelers whose passport requires a visa for Japan — the increase does not apply to visa-exempt nationalities making short tourist visits, which covers many of VIAIVE's premium markets. It matters most for visa-required travelers, multi-entry business or repeat-visit travelers, and anyone applying on or after July 1, 2026. At roughly USD 93 for a single-entry visa and USD 186 for a multiple-entry visa, the added cost is real but modest against the cost of a premium Japan itinerary — this is a cost change, not an access or eligibility change.
The VIAIVE call
Verify whether the traveler's passport requires a Japan visa at all before treating this as relevant — most of VIAIVE's core markets are visa-exempt for short tourist stays and this increase does not touch them. For visa-required travelers, book normally: this is a fee increase, not a new restriction, and it does not change routing, timing, or eligibility. Confirm the current fee directly with the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate before a visa-required traveler applies, since fee schedules can be adjusted again.
Frequently asked
Does the Japan visa fee increase affect visa-exempt travelers?
No. It applies only to travelers whose passport requires a Japan visa. Many premium travel markets are visa-exempt for short tourist stays and are unaffected.
How much is the new Japan visa fee?
Effective July 1, 2026: single-entry visa rises from JPY 3,000 to JPY 15,000; multiple-entry visa rises from JPY 6,000 to JPY 30,000.
Should travelers change their Japan plans because of this fee increase?
No, for most travelers. This is a cost change for visa-required applicants, not a change to routing, timing, or eligibility. Confirm the current fee with the relevant embassy or consulate before a visa-required traveler applies.