2026 Japan Visa Fee Hike: What It Actually Costs Now
🇯🇵 日本語要約
2026年7月1日、日本のビザ（査証）手数料が1978年以来48年ぶりに改定。単独査証：3,000円→15,000円（5倍）、数次査証：6,000円→30,000円（5倍）。在留資格変更・更新手数料は2026年10月1日より段階的な新手数料体系に移行（3ヶ月以下:10,000円、1年:30,000円、3年:60,000円、5年:70,000円）。永住許可申請手数料は2026年10月1日より200,000円に確定（出入国在留管理庁が正式確認）。ビザ免除国（米国・EU・韓国・台湾など70か国超）の国民は影響なし。主に中国・インド・フィリピン・インドネシア等の国籍者が対象。申請日が2026年7月1日以降なら新料金が適用。
*Updated July 7, 2026: Status-of-residence change/extension fees and PR application fees are now officially confirmed by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), effective October 1, 2026 — the July 1, 2026 change applies to consular tourist visa fees only. Article updated below with confirmed tiered amounts.*
Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What changed? | Japan raised visa fees for the first time since 1978 |
| Effective date (consular / tourist visa fees) | July 1, 2026 |
| Effective date (status of residence fees + PR) | October 1, 2026 |
| Single-entry tourist visa | ¥3,000 → ¥15,000 (5x increase) |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | ¥6,000 → ¥30,000 (5x increase) |
| Transit visa category | Merged into single/double-entry from July 1, 2026 |
| Status of residence change / extension fee | Tiered by permitted period: ¥10,000 (≤3 months) · ¥30,000 (1 year) · ¥60,000 (3 years) · ¥70,000 (5 years) — confirmed by ISA, effective Oct 1, 2026 |
| Permanent Residency application fee | ¥10,000 → ¥200,000 — confirmed by ISA, effective Oct 1, 2026 |
| Who is affected? | Nationals of countries that require a Japan tourist visa |
| Visa-exempt travelers | Not affected — they pay ¥0 as before |
What Changed on July 1, 2026
Japan raised its visa fees for the first time in 48 years. The last revision was in 1978. That is not a typo — 48 years of unchanged prices, ending in a single Cabinet decision approved June 19, 2026.
The increase took effect July 1, 2026. Applications submitted on or after that date pay the new fee. The submission date determines which fee applies, not the approval date and not the travel date.
Foreign Minister Motegi stated two official reasons. First, Japan's fees were far below other developed countries: the US charges around $420–470 to renew certain visas, Germany charges €93–98, and Japan had been charging ¥3,000 — roughly $20 at current exchange rates. Second, Japan now has 4.13 million foreign residents (end of 2025). Processing their applications costs money that 1978-era fees no longer cover.
Tourist Visa Fee Table
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee (from July 1) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | ¥3,000 (~$20) | ¥15,000 (~$100) | 5x |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | ¥6,000 (~$40) | ¥30,000 (~$200) | 5x |
| Transit visa | Separate category | Merged into single/double-entry | — |
Exchange rate reference: approximately ¥150 to US$1 as of July 2026.
Do YOU Need a Japan Tourist Visa?
More than 70 countries and regions have visa exemption agreements with Japan for short stays (usually up to 90 days). Citizens of these countries enter Japan for free and are completely unaffected by the July 1 fee increase.
Countries NOT affected — no tourist visa needed:
- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- UK, Ireland, all EU member states
- South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore
- Malaysia (up to 15 days), Brunei
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and several other Latin American nations
Countries that ARE affected — must pay the new fee:
- China — largest affected group by travel volume
- India
- Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand (stays over 30 days), Bangladesh
- Most of the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others)
- Most of Africa
- Russia
If your country has visa exemption, the July 1 fee change is completely irrelevant to your short-stay trips to Japan. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) for the authoritative and current list.
What About Foreign Residents Already in Japan?
If you live in Japan on a work, student, or other long-stay visa, tourist visa fees are not what you pay at renewal. You pay the status of residence change or extension fee.
That fee is changing — but the effective date is October 1, 2026, not July 1. The ISA has officially confirmed the following tiered fee schedule:
| Permitted Period of Stay Granted | New Fee (from October 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| 3 months or less | ¥10,000 |
| 1 year | ¥30,000 |
| 3 years | ¥60,000 |
| 5 years | ¥70,000 |
| Permanent Residence | ¥200,000 |
These amounts are confirmed — not statutory maximums, not hedged estimates. If your renewal appointment falls between July 1 and September 30, 2026, you are still under the old fee schedule (¥5,500–¥6,000). From October 1, 2026 onward, the tiered amounts above apply.
Permanent Residency Application Fee Change
| Old Fee | New Fee (from July 1, 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| PR application fee | ¥10,000 | ¥200,000 — confirmed by ISA, effective October 1, 2026 |
The ¥200,000 PR fee is officially confirmed by ISA, effective October 1, 2026. This is the actual fee — not a statutory ceiling. If you can qualify for PR before October 1, 2026, applying now means paying the old ¥10,000 fee.
If you are aiming for PR, apply as soon as you qualify. Waiting longer means a higher application fee — review the new 5-year visa requirement before filing. Use the PR Compliance Checker to audit your eligibility first.
What This Means for Your Budget
The status of residence renewal fee — ¥30,000 to ¥70,000 depending on your permitted period, or ¥200,000 for a PR application — is a real cost. At Tokyo minimum wage (¥1,163/hour as of 2026), ¥70,000 equals roughly 60 hours of part-time work. Budget for it well before your renewal date.
For tourist visa applicants from non-exempt countries: a Chinese family of four applying for single-entry visas now pays ¥60,000 in fees alone before booking flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I already have permanent residency. Does this affect my annual card renewal?
A: The annual PR card renewal (updating the expiry date on your card) is a separate procedure from the PR application fee. Check with your local Immigration Bureau for the current card renewal fee.
Q: I am a visa-exempt tourist. Do I pay anything at the border?
A: No. Visa-exempt travelers do not apply for or pay for tourist visas. You enter Japan on arrival using your passport. The July 1 fee change does not affect you.
Q: Where do I pay the fee? At the airport when I arrive?
A: No. Tourist visa fees are paid when you submit your application to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country before traveling. Residents paying status change or extension fees pay at the Immigration Bureau window at their appointment.
Q: Is there a fee waiver for anyone?
A: Official waivers exist for certain diplomatic categories and some treaty-based exceptions. Standard applicants do not receive waivers. Confirm with the relevant Embassy or Immigration Bureau for your situation.
Q: My status of residence renewal is coming up. How do I find the exact fee?
A: Contact or visit your local Immigration Bureau directly. Ask specifically about the current fee for your visa category. Bring your residence card. Do not rely on third-party estimates.
Q: I want to check my PR eligibility. Where do I start?
A: Use the PR Compliance Checker for a self-audit of your current status, tax record, and pension compliance. See also the health insurance card guide for the latest ID system changes that affect your compliance record.
Japanese Keywords
査証手数料 · 在留資格変更許可申請手数料 · 永住許可申請手数料 · ビザ手数料値上げ2026 · 日本ビザ料金改定 · 在留資格更新費用 · 永住申請費用2026
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