Japan Plans 500% Visa Fee Hike From 2026

Japan is on the brink of a historic transformation in its immigration framework, with sweeping fee increases set to take effect from the next fiscal cycle. Beginning April 2026, the country will implement a dramatic revision of visa and residency charges, marking the most significant overhaul in more than 40 years.

The move, officially confirmed through reports linked to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, is designed to modernise a system long criticised for operating on outdated fee structures. For millions of foreign residents, students, workers, and future visitors, the Japan visa fee hike of 2026 will translate into sharply higher costs across nearly every immigration category.

Japan: A 500% Jump in Key Immigration Fees

Under the proposed framework, fees for extending or changing residential status will rise steeply from the current 6,000 yen to between 30,000 and 40,000 yen. This represents an increase of up to five times for routine applications that international residents rely on every year.

The most striking change applies to permanent residency. What currently costs 10,000 yen is expected to soar past 100,000 yen, placing Japan closer to the pricing models of other advanced economies.

While the primary impact will fall on long-term residents, officials have also signalled potential revisions to tourist visa fees. At present, a single-entry tourist visa costs 3,000 yen, with multiple-entry visas priced at 6,000 yen. These figures may be adjusted upward to align with G7 standards, where comparable visas cost significantly more in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and across the Schengen region.

Why Japan Is Raising Immigration Fees Now

The rationale behind the Japan visa fee hike of 2026 is rooted in decades of stagnation. Most immigration charges have remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s and early 1980s, making Japan one of the least expensive major destinations for visa processing.

At the same time, demand has surged to unprecedented levels. In 2025, Japan recorded 3.96 million foreign residents, the highest figure in its history. Tourism has expanded even faster, with 21.5 million international visitors arriving in just the first half of the year alone.

This rapid influx has placed heavy strain on immigration offices, border control systems, and enforcement mechanisms. Authorities are currently managing tens of thousands of overstayers, while also facing rising staffing and administrative costs. Officials say the fee revision has become unavoidable to ensure the system remains functional and secure.

Japan: Who Will Feel the Impact the Most

Although short-term visitors may see only gradual changes initially, the financial burden will be most pronounced for those planning extended stays.

International students renewing study permits, professionals changing work status, and families applying for permanent residency will all face significantly higher expenses. Employers hiring foreign talent may also feel the effects, as administrative costs rise and are potentially passed on to recruits.

Beyond finances, the changes arrive amid growing public debate over overtourism, particularly in cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Overcrowding, environmental stress, and resident concerns have already prompted calls for tighter visitor management.

The visa fee revision also follows a recent increase in Japan’s departure tax, which has risen from 1,000 yen to approximately 3,000 yen, further adding to overall travel costs.

A Push for Sustainability and Fairness

Japanese authorities maintain that the fee hikes are not meant to deter visitors, but to create a more balanced and sustainable system. The additional revenue, expected to reach tens of billions of yen annually, will be reinvested in immigration infrastructure.

Planned upgrades include expanded digital processing, airport modernisation, improved language education programmes, and broader multicultural support initiatives such as free high school tuition for eligible residents. The government is also working toward the introduction of JESTA, a pre-screening travel authorisation platform expected by 2028.

By aligning immigration fees with international norms, Japan aims to fund these improvements without shifting the financial burden onto domestic taxpayers.