Japan's Visa Fees Are Going Up Fivefold in 2026: What It Means If You Work in Japan

If you have any plans involving Japan this year, here's the one thing you need to know: Japan's visa fees are going up in a big way from July 1, 2026, jumping as much as fivefold. If you already work in Japan or are getting ready to move there, this hits where it matters most: your wallet. What rises on July 1 are the entry visa fees and the departure tax. Residence procedure fees will also go up, but later, not now, and that part is actually the most important one if you already live in Japan. The good news: all of it is manageable as long as you know early. Let's break it down one by one.

The Breakdown: Japan's Visa Fees Rise Up to Fivefold in 2026

These fees were last set in 1978. Yes, 48 years ago. So when they finally went up, the jump was bound to feel big.

Why such a steep hike? Three reasons. First, to catch up with nearly half a century of accumulated inflation. Second, to match other developed countries (a US visa runs about 28,000 yen, a UK one about 26,000 yen). Third, part of the extra revenue goes toward tackling overtourism. For Indonesian nationals, payment is converted into rupiah, so the exchange rate also affects the final amount.

The Part That Matters Most for Foreign Workers: Residence Fees (Not Rising Yet)

This is the part people mix up most often, so read carefully. The fivefold increase above applies to entry visas processed at embassies, from outside Japan. If you already live and work in Japan, what matters to you are residence procedure fees (extensions, changes of status, permanent residency), and that is a separate system.

Here's the important part: residence fees have not gone up yet. What has happened so far is a legal revision (passed May 29, 2026) that raises the upper limits of these fees, not the amounts actually charged. The cap for extensions was raised to 100,000 yen and permanent residency to 300,000 yen, but those are just ceilings on paper.

The actual fees proposed by the government (June 24, 2026) are far below those caps:

What you should keep in mind:

• Not in effect yet. The proposal still has to go through public comment, and the earliest it takes effect is around October 2026.
• If you renew now, you still pay the old fee. So if your permit is close to expiring, applying early could save you money.
• PR is where you'll feel it most. The jump is from 10,000 to around 200,000 yen, so if you're planning to apply for permanent residency, timing really matters.
• There are also plans for a discount of up to 10,000 yen if you apply through the online system.

JESTA in 2028: Visa-Free Doesn't Mean Check-Free

Indonesia is still on Japan's visa-waiver list for short visits. But from fiscal year 2028, a new system called JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) comes in. Here's the gist: before you fly, you submit your travel details online, and the system runs an automatic background check. If something looks off, say, a history of overstaying, the airline can be barred from letting you board. In other words, the "immigration gate" moves to before you even get on the plane.

For foreign workers, two practical points. If you travel back and forth between your home country and Japan often, JESTA adds one mandatory step before every trip. And keeping your immigration record clean matters more than ever, because the system is specifically designed to filter out people intending to work illegally. The good news if you play by the rules: the process can actually be faster, sometimes taking just minutes.

Why Is Japan Doing This?

On the same day, the departure tax (exit tax) also triples from 1,000 to 3,000 yen, usually baked right into your ticket price. Interestingly, Japan is simultaneously cutting passport fees for its own citizens. How does that add up? Here's the answer: Japan's population is aging fast and its local tax base is shrinking. Rather than putting more weight on its citizens, the government has chosen to earn more from cross-border traffic. Understanding this logic helps you see where things are heading: the rules will keep getting tighter, not looser. Which means the earlier you prepare, the better position you're in.

What You Can Start Preparing Now

These changes do add some homework, but they're manageable with the right preparation:

• Budget early. If you're planning to extend your stay or apply for permanent residency, set aside extra funds and watch for the government regulations that will set the final fees.
• Keep your immigration record clean. Complying with your period of stay and work rules will matter more and more, both for PR applications and for JESTA later on.
• Recalculate your travel costs. If you fly home regularly, factor the exit tax and the JESTA step into your plans.
• Get your documents in order now. Residence procedures require complete paperwork, and preparing early saves both money and wasted time.

The good news is that as long as you know ahead of time, all of this is manageable. And you don't have to face it alone. The Nuance Union team is ready to help, from residence procedures to everyday questions about living and working in Japan. Talk to us before the new rules and fees start affecting your plans.