Japan to Quintuple Visa Fees from July 1, Most Australians Unaffected

Japan will quintuple entry visa fees starting from July 1, but most Australian tourists will not be impacted.

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi said the change was done to bring the fees, set in 1978, in line with inflation and changing exchange rates.

"There could be possibility for various impacts but bearing that in mind we made the revision," Mr Motegi said.

The single entry visa fee will rise from roughly $26.50 or 3,000 yen to $132 (15,000 yen) and the multiple entry visa will rise from approximately $53 to $265.

By comparison, a similar single entry visa to Australia allows a maximum stay of 12 months and costs $200.

Australian tourists enjoy visa-free entry to Japan for stays of up to 90 days.

However, working holiday-makers and Australians travelling to Japan for work or immigration may be affected by these steeper fees.

The Embassy of Japan in Australia was contacted for clarification.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservative government is continuing to explore tougher policies on immigration as fears of overtourism and an increased number of foreign residents have led to a surge in support for the far-right opposition party, Sanseito.

This includes a number of fee increases aimed at tourists or immigrants, such as the tripling of Japan's international tourist tax, attached to airfares departing Japan, starting July 1.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, this fee will "support the maintenance of public works, critical infrastructure at airports and tourist sites, restoration of historic assets, and the creation of online tourist resources".

Longer-term residence visas are also up for increases after a bill passed in the national diet earlier this year, enacting increases of up to 30 times the current levels for visa renewals.

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations said in a statement the extent of these fee raises could be described as "radical".

"Such a significant increase of financial burden under the Bill, which was compiled without hearing the opinions of foreign residents who will be affected, would have a serious impact on their livelihood," it said.

"This situation would bring about heavier costs on businesses and local governments in relation to the hiring and fostering of employees of foreign nationalities."

Almost 12,000 Australians lived in Japan as residents as of June 2025.