Japan is raising tourist visa fees in July: here’s what travellers need to know

Planning a trip to Japan this year? There’s a new visa fee update to know about – though for many travellers, it may not change anything at all.

From July 1, 2026, Japan is raising its visa fees for the first time in decades. The fee for a single-entry visa will rise to around ¥15,000, while a multiple-entry visa will cost around ¥30,000. The change applies to visa applications accepted at Japanese overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date.

But before you panic-cancel that itinerary, here’s the important bit: this only affects travellers who actually need to apply for a visa.

Do all tourists need to pay Japan’s new visa fee?

No. Many travellers visiting Japan for short-term tourism are visa-exempt, meaning they do not need to apply for a tourist visa.

Japan currently has short-term visa-exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and many countries in Europe.

Do Singaporeans need a visa for Japan?

No. Singapore citizens can generally enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days as temporary visitors, so the visa fee hike should not affect most Singaporean holidaymakers.

What about Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong?

Travellers from Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong are also generally covered by Japan’s visa exemption arrangements, but there are passport-specific conditions.

For Malaysian and Thai nationals, Japan’s visa exemption applies only to holders of ICAO-compliant ePassports. Thai passport holders are generally allowed stays of up to 15 days under the exemption.

For Hong Kong travellers, the exemption applies to holders of a Hong Kong SAR passport, or a qualifying British National (Overseas) passport with right of residence in Hong Kong.

Who will be affected by the visa fee hike?

The new fees matter for travellers whose passports are not on Japan’s visa-exemption list or whose passport type does not meet the exemption conditions.

When are Japan visa fees paid?

Visa fees are usually paid when the visa is issued or collected. If a visa is not issued, no visa fee is charged. Travellers applying through an approved agency may still need to pay separate handling fees.

What if I apply before July 1?

If your complete visa application is accepted by June 30, 2026, the old fee should apply, even if the visa is issued after Jul 1. Incomplete or temporarily received applications may not qualify, so make sure all required documents are properly submitted before the cut-off.

Separately, Japan is also raising some residency-related fees for foreign nationals, but those changes differ from tourist visa fees and are less relevant to short-term holidaymakers.

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