TOKYO — Japan will implement increased visa fees for travelers requiring a visa and raise its departure tax for all travelers, effective July 1. This marks the first increase in Japan's visa fees since 1978.

The application fee for a single-entry visa will increase to 15,000 Japanese yen from 3,000 yen. For multiple-entry visas, the application fee will rise to 30,000 yen from 6,000 yen. Japan stated that the visa fees are being increased "in order to respond to the current price increases and fluctuations in exchange rates."

In addition to visa fees, the departure tax for all travelers will increase to 3,000 yen from 1,000 yen. Foreign travelers constitute 74% of departures from Japan. Before the implementation of "Abenomics" in 2013, foreign travelers accounted for approximately 20% to 30% of departures.

"Given the prolonged depreciation of the Japanese yen in recent years, maintaining fee structures set under different economic conditions may no longer be financially sustainable," said Zilmiyah Kamble, senior lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at James Cook University. She added, "Although the visa fee increase is unlikely to be a direct overtourism control measure, it may contribute modestly to offsetting some of the administrative and operational costs associated with managing growing visitor volumes."

The Japanese yen has hovered near multi-decade lows in recent months, prompting the Japanese government to intervene to support the currency. Japan welcomed 36.8 million visitors in 2024 and 42.6 million visitors in 2025. According to Mastercard, the tourism sector has become a contributor to Japan's GDP.

The Japan Brand Survey 2025, conducted by Dentsu, found that "More than the effect of the weak yen, the appeal of Japan's food and products is boosting visits, suggesting that Japan's popularity as a travel destination is not just a passing fad." In the same survey, 52.7% of 12,400 respondents expressed a desire to visit Japan again. Japan ranked first among 20 markets polled for respondents wanting to make a repeat visit.