Japan is about to make that dream cherry-blossom trip significantly more expensive. For the first time since 1978 — a gap of 48 years — Japan is raising its visa issuance fees, and the jump is steep. The new fees come into force on July 1, 2026.
Japan Visa Fee Breakdown: Old vs New Costs for Indian Travelers
| Visa Type | Old Fee (¥) | New Fee (¥) | Old Cost (₹) | New Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry | ¥3,000 | ¥15,000 | ₹1,750 | ₹8,752 |
| Multiple-Entry | ¥6,000 | ¥30,000 | ₹3,501 | ₹17,505 |
For Indian passport holders, this is the most direct number to know before booking flights or starting a Japan visa application. A single-entry visa now costs five times what it did, jumping from approximately ₹1,750 to ₹8,752. The multiple-entry option sees the same five-fold increase, from approximately ₹3,501 to ₹17,505.
If you are planning a trip to Japan and haven’t applied yet, factor this revised fee into your travel budget before July 1. Use our Visa Fee Calculator to build an accurate cost estimate including consular and VFS service charges.
Why Japan Is Raising Fees After Nearly Five Decades
Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi addressed this directly at a press conference: “The current visa fee was set in 1978, and we have recently revised it to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then. We made this decision after carefully considering various factors, and we do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism.”
Two economic forces sit behind this decision. The Japanese yen has been weakening steadily since 2021 and is now near 40-year lows. Alongside currency depreciation, Japan recorded 42.7 million international tourists last year — a post-pandemic rebound that has put pressure on immigration infrastructure. Officials have also stated the revised fee structure will bring Japan’s visa charges closer to those charged by other G7 members: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Other Japan Immigration Fees Also Rising in 2026
The visa fee hike is not the only change. Japan’s Upper House passed a separate bill in May 2026 raising additional immigration-related fees for foreign nationals:
- Permanent residency applications: The statutory upper limit rises from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000.
- Residency status changes and stay extensions: Fees rise from ¥10,000 to up to ¥100,000.
These changes affect Indians living in or relocating to Japan, not just short-term tourists.
For a full picture of what the Japan visa application involves — documents, timelines, and consulate procedures from Indian cities — refer to our Japan Visa Guide. Indian applicants can also use the Document Checklist tool to confirm paperwork is in order before submission.
FAQ
Q: When do Japan’s new visa fees take effect? A: The new fees take effect on July 1, 2026.
Q: How much will a Japan single-entry visa cost after July 1? A: A single-entry Japan visa will cost ¥15,000, approximately ₹8,752, up from ¥3,000 (approximately ₹1,750).
Q: How much will a Japan multiple-entry visa cost after the fee hike? A: A multiple-entry Japan visa will rise to ¥30,000, approximately ₹17,505, from ¥6,000 (approximately ₹3,501).
Q: Why is Japan raising visa fees now? A: Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated the fee was last set in 1978 and the revision reflects inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then. Officials also cited aligning fees with other G7 nations.
Q: Has Japan raised any other immigration-related fees? A: Yes. Japan’s Upper House passed a bill in May 2026 raising the statutory upper limit for permanent residency applications to ¥300,000 from ¥10,000, and fees for changing residency status or extending a stay to up to ¥100,000 from ¥10,000.
Source: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan