Japan has long been a well-regarded tourist destination, and in recent years the number of visitors has risen significantly. Still, after nearly 50 years, the country is set to raise visa fees by up to 400%. During the cabinet decision announcement on June 19, it was announced that, as of July 1, the application fee for a single-entry visa will increase from 3,000 Japanese yen to 15,000 Japanese yen ($93), citing rising costs and exchange rate fluctuations amid peak tourism, as stated by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
When asked about the possible outcomes for tourism, Motegi stated that the government has evaluated various factors before reaching this conclusion and doesn't expect it to affect inbound tourism to Japan negatively. Experts have also suggested that a surge in tourism has placed notable strain on public services and infrastructure, as the country recorded unprecedented visitor figures of 36.8 million and 42.6 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Along with the rising visa fee, the country is also set to introduce a higher departure fee for all travelers, increasing it from 1,000 to 3,000 Japanese yen.
The Contribution of Tourism to Japan & The Impact of Increased Visa Fees
Tourism has been a significant contributor to Japan's GDP, and, as the country's Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, noted, the increase in visa fees is not expected to affect tourism demand. In fact, the change mirrors the growing share of international visitors to Japan, according to Yuki Masujima, chief economist and partner at Deloitte Tohmatsu Group. About 74% of departures from Japan are now made by international visitors, compared with before the implementation of Abenomics, an economic program introduced under late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Masujima said that, as tourists are eligible for sales tax refunds, Japan requires them to cover some of the associated costs, which can be achieved through higher visa issuance fees and departure taxes. However, even Masujima stated that it is very unlikely to discourage tourists or tourism demand, noting that most travelers are returning and declaring Japan's incomparable appeal as a destination. According to a 2025 Brand Survey conducted by Dentsu, 52.7% of the 12,400 respondents said they would prefer to visit Japan again, suggesting that the increase might not affect tourism.
Higher Immigration & Residency Charges Planned
The visa fee increase is not limited to this; it also follows the enactment of legislation allowing Japan to raise visa and residency-related charges to up to 30 times the current level. Before the revision, the fee to change residency status or extend a period of stay was 10,000 Japanese yen, and the maximum charge for permanent residency was also 10,000 Japanese yen. After the new law, those limits are raised to 100,000 and 300,000 Japanese yen, respectively. The government has increased the fees for residency status changes and stay extensions from the current 5,500-6,000 Japanese yen to 10,000-70,000 Japanese yen. In comparison, the permanent residency application fees are proposed to rise from 10,000 to 200,000 Japanese yen.
According to the government, the additional revenue will be used to manage Japan's growing population of foreign residents, which reached 4.13 million at the end of 2025. Additionally, these funds will sustain the Japanese-language education programs and strengthen restrictions on illegal overstayers. Japan has also contended that visa and residency fees should be closer to those in Western countries, as this would build a more robust immigration administration system, citing the visa renewal systems in the United States and Germany. Rather than restricting it, this move appears to attract more international workers, residents, and tourists, creating greater demand for immigration and administrative services nationwide.
