Japan plans to increase the fee levied on departing travellers and raise visa application charges as early as fiscal 2026, marking its first major fee overhaul in decades.
🚀 Key Highlights
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The current departure tax, set at ÂĄ1,000 for air travellers leaving the country, is expected to be increased to align with global standards.
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Visa application fees—unchanged since the 1970s—are also slated for a significant rise. Single-entry visas currently cost around ¥3,000, and multiple-entry visas around ¥6,000.
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The extra revenue is expected to fund upgrades in aviation infrastructure and enhanced pre-entry screening systems, as Japan continues to handle record levels of inbound tourism.
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The arrival of a new electronic travel-authorisation system (JESTA) around 2028, which will apply to travellers from visa-exempt nations, is also under preparation and may carry its own fee.
🔍 What This Means for Travellers
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Travellers planning a visit to Japan in or after 2026 should expect higher costs tied to visa processing or departure taxes.
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While the changes aim to strengthen infrastructure and manage overtourism, they could also slightly raise the cost of short-term travel to Japan—whether for tourism or business.
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Currently, nationals of more than 70 countries benefit from visa-waiver status; the impact of the fee changes for these travellers may be less clear until full policy details are published.
âś… Final Thought
Japan’s planned fee increases signal a shift in how the country balances its tourism ambitions with infrastructure demands. For now, travellers should budget ahead and keep updated on official announcements for the exact new fee levels.