Japan to raise visa fees for foreigners fivefold from July
At A Glance
- Japan will increase visa fees for foreign nationals by as much as five times starting July 1.
- Single-entry visa fees will rise from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, while multiple-entry visas will jump from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.
- The increase comes even as Japan is studying possible visa-free entry and easier travel arrangements for Filipinos.
Filipinos planning to travel to Japan may soon have to pay higher visa fees, as the Japanese government announced a fivefold increase in entry visa fees effective July 1.
Under the revised fee structure, the cost of a single-entry visa will increase from 3,000 yen (about P1,170) to 15,000 yen (about P5,850), while the cost of a multiple-entry visa will rise from 6,000 yen (about P2,340) to 30,000 yen (about P11,700).
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu announced the changes following a ministerial meeting that approved amendments to the ordinance on visa fees and related charges. The new rates will apply to applications filed starting July 1.
Higher costs after nearly five decades
The fee adjustment marks Japan's first major revision of foreign visa charges in nearly 48 years and is aimed at offsetting increasing administrative costs related to immigration and visa processing.
The revised fees are expected to affect all foreign nationals applying for Japanese visas, including tourists, students, and business travelers.
The announcement comes just weeks after Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said Tokyo is studying measures to make travel to Japan easier for Filipinos, including the possibility of visa-free entry.
Endo earlier said the Japanese Embassy in Manila has been making "steady efforts" to improve and streamline visa application processes and would continue exploring better arrangements for Filipino travelers.
Japan has already eased some visa requirements for Filipinos in recent years, including relaxing multiple-entry visa requirements for citizens with substantial income and granting visa-free entry to holders of Philippine diplomatic passports since October 2024.
People-to-people exchanges remain a cornerstone of Philippines-Japan relations, with Japan consistently ranking among the top overseas destinations for Filipino tourists and workers.