THIS world’s most favorite destination is planning to raise visa fees for foreign tourists, rates to level with…, the country is…

The plan is to align the fee with Western counterparts. The country's visa fee structure has remained unchanged since 1978, while many residency-related charges were updated this April for the first time since 1981.

Japan, which was voted the “world’s most favorite destination” by Condé Nast Traveler readers last year, is planning to raise visa fees for foreign tourists by fiscal year 2026. The move comes as the country continues to see a strong rise in international visitors. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said that the current visa charges are much lower than those in the U.S. and Europe, and the government wants to make them more balanced with global standards.

At present, a single-entry visa to Japan costs about 3,000 yen (USD 20), while a multiple-entry visa costs 6,000 yen. In comparison, visa fees for other countries are much higher i.e. USD 185 for the US, USD 177 for the U.K., and USD 71 for Canada.

The government is also considering raising the “departure tax”, which is currently 1,000 yen, to a level similar to international norms. For instance, the U.S. charges about USD 22.20 (around 3,300 yen). The revised fee structure is expected to start in fiscal 2026.

Officials say the higher visa and departure fees will not only help reduce overtourism but also provide extra funds to manage airport crowds and improve security checks. Any additional money collected could also be used to support other government programs, such as free high school education, which needs around 400 billion yen in extra funding.

From January to September, Japan welcomed 31.65 million foreign visitors, a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, the fastest pace ever for crossing the 30 million mark in a single year.

According to The Japan Times, the total number of visitors in 2025 is expected to break the previous record of 36.87 million set in 2024, and could even reach 40 million, boosted by a weak yen and a sharp rise in Chinese tourists.

Currently, Japan requires short-term visas for citizens from over 120 countries, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Japan plans visa and departure tax hike to match global standards

Japan is considering raising its “departure tax”, a fee charged to both Japanese citizens and foreign travellers leaving the country as part of efforts to match international norms. Introduced in 2019, the tax increase is part of what officials call “international benchmarking.”

To reduce the impact on local travellers, the government may cut passport renewal fees at the same time, according to an Asahi Shimbun report.

Japan to revise visa and residency fees

The government is also preparing to revise visa and residency fees that have not changed for decades. In addition, Japan plans to launch a digital travel authorisation system, the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), by fiscal 2028. Similar to the US ESTA system, it will apply to travellers from visa-waiver countries and may cost around 6,000 yen.

Officials said Japan’s visa fee structure has remained unchanged since 1978, while many residency-related charges were updated this April for the first time since 1981. The government believes the new fees will help modernise the system and provide stable funding for key public services.