Japan has implemented a five-fold increase in visa fees for all foreigners, marking the first price hike in nearly 50 years. Starting July 1, single-entry visa fees rose from 3,000 yen ($18.69) to 15,000 yen, while multi-entry visas now cost 30,000 yen, up from 6,000 yen.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the revisions, the first since 1978, were made to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. He added that the government does not anticipate an immediate impact on inbound tourism.

The Japanese yen has been weakening continuously since 2021 and is now hovering near historic 40-year lows. This, combined with a post-pandemic travel rebound, led to a record 42.7 million international tourists last year.

In May, Japan's Upper House enacted a bill to raise other fees for foreigners. The statutory upper limit for permanent residency applications will increase to 300,000 yen, 30 times the current cap of 10,000 yen. Changing residency status or extending a stay will cost up to 100,000 yen, up from 10,000 yen.

Authorities pushing for the hikes say Japan must align its visa and residency fees closer to those of other G7 economies. For comparison, US non-immigrant visa fees range from $185 to $315, while a standard UK short-term visa costs £135.

Source: www.bbc.com