Japan Visa Fee Schedule — 2026 Update
> Fees rose fivefold on 1 July 2026. By cabinet decision of 19 June 2026, Japan raised visa fees to five times the previous level from 1 July 2026 — the first revision since 1978, bringing Japan in line with major Western countries. Applications received by 30 June 2026 are charged the old rates; applications received from 1 July are charged the new rates.
Standard Visa Fees (from 1 July 2026)
| Visa Type | New Fee (JPY) | Approx. USD | Old Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | ¥15,000 | ~$100 | ¥3,000 |
| Multiple-entry visa | ¥30,000 | ~$200 | ¥6,000 |
| Transit visa | Abolished (merged into single-entry) | — | ¥700 |
Source: MOFA — English page · Japanese page
The One Exception: India
Indian nationals are exempt from this increase. Under the Japan–India bilateral agreement (India offers Japanese citizens reduced visa fees, and Japan reciprocates), Indian passport holders pay a reduced flat rate — ₹500 in India, whether single or multiple entry (e.g. RMB 40 when applying in China). So in practice there are two tiers: the worldwide standard rate, and the India treaty rate.
Important Notes About Fees
Payment Methods
- Paid in local currency at the embassy/consulate
- Cash only at most embassies; some accept bank transfer or online payment
- Credit cards are generally NOT accepted at embassy counters (JAPAN eVISA is online card payment only)
Fee Exemptions
- Diplomatic and official passport holders
- Citizens of countries with bilateral fee waiver or reduction agreements (India is the notable case)
- APEC Business Travel Card holders (in some cases)
Additional Costs
- Passport photos — $5–15
- Document translation — $20–50 per document
- VFS / agency service charges — unchanged by this revision (e.g. VFS India ~₹1,800)
- Travel insurance — required for some visa types
Fees by Visa Category (from 1 July 2026)
Tourist / Short-Stay Visa
- Single entry: ¥15,000 · Multiple entry (eligible nationalities): ¥30,000
- JAPAN eVISA (single-entry tourism): equivalent of ¥15,000, paid online
Work / Student / Spouse Visa (COE-based)
- Visa fee at the embassy: ¥15,000 (single entry)
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application: Free
- Status change / extension within Japan: a domestic Immigration fee (separate system) — from October 1, 2026, ¥10,000–¥75,000 depending on the period granted (¥33,000 at a counter for 1 year); applications accepted by September 30 pay ¥6,000. Full table: COE & visa fees
Refund Policy
- No visa fee is charged if the visa is refused — the fee is collected only when a visa is issued (MOFA). Agency and visa-centre service fees are not refunded
How to Save on Visa Costs
- Apply directly (or via JAPAN eVISA where eligible) — avoid unnecessary agency fees
- Prepare complete documents the first time — avoid reapplication
- If you travel often, a multiple-entry visa (¥30,000) beats repeated single-entry fees
- Check whether your nationality has a waiver/reduction agreement