Japan Plans to Increase Visa Fees to Align with Europe and the US
According to a report by Kyodo News on the 10th, the Japanese government plans to increase the visa fee for foreign tourists in the 2026 fiscal year, citing that the current charge is relatively low compared to European and American countries.
The report pointed out that the current single-entry visa fee in Japan is 3000 yen, and the multiple-entry visa fee is 6000 yen. In comparison, the U.S. business or tourist visa costs 185 dollars, the UK's short-stay visa is 127 pounds, Canada charges 100 Canadian dollars, and the standard short-term visa fee for non-EU citizens in the Eurozone is 90 euros.
This will be the first time since 1978, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs started collecting data, that Japan has increased its visa fees. The government plans to use the additional revenue to address the issue of "overtourism" - in recent years, many popular tourist attractions in Japan have been overwhelmed by too many visitors, causing environmental and lifestyle disturbances. In addition, Japan currently collects fees when issuing visas, but it may change to charging at the application stage, aligning with practices in Europe and the United States, to prevent applicants from abandoning their visa applications at the last minute.
Foreign tourists visiting Japan reached a record 36.87 million in 2024. In the first half of this year (January to June), the number of foreign tourists reaching Japan had already reached 21.51 million, a significant increase from 17.77 million in the same period last year, marking the first time in six months that the number exceeded 20 million. The Japanese government expects that even if the visa fees are increased, the number of visitors will not decrease significantly, and instead, it could increase government revenue.
According to a report by the Central News Agency, approximately 120 countries require a short-term visa to enter Japan, mainly including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. In the number of visas issued last year, China ranked first with about 5.24 million, accounting for about seven-tenths of the total; the Philippines had about 570,000, and Vietnam had about 320,000, with the three countries accounting for nearly nine-tenths. If Japan increases the visa fees, the impact on these three countries will be the greatest.
On the other hand, 74 countries and regions, including the United States, South Korea, and Australia, enjoy a visa exemption for short-term entry into Japan. (Rural Cat)
Figure: Shibuya Crossing, a famous tourist attraction in Tokyo, is crowded with people. (EPA)
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848448988891204/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.