Japan to raise foreign visitor visa fees fivefold from July

Japan will increase visa fees for foreign nationals by as much as five times starting in July, marking the first revision in nearly five decades as the country grapples with inflation and a weaker yen.

The Japanese government approved the fee hike on June 19, raising the cost of a single-entry visa from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen (US$92), Japan Times reported.

Fees for multiple-entry visas will also jump significantly, from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen, The Mainichi newspaper reported.

Despite the sharp increase, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the government does not expect the move to significantly affect inbound tourism.

People walk along Takeshita street at Harajuku shopping area in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 10, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Japan has seen a strong recovery in international travel following the pandemic, with record numbers of foreign visitors helping to boost the country’s tourism sector and economy.

However, the Asian country recorded a decline in foreign arrivals for the second straight month in May, largely due to a drop in visitors from China.

The Japan National Tourism Organization says more than 3.55 million people visited the country last month, down 3.6% year-on-year, Japan Today reported.