Home » America Travel News » Japan Set To Join US, France, Mali, Australia, New Zealand, UK And More Countries In Introducing Significant Visa Fee Hikes As The Government Tackles Rising Visitor Numbers And Administrative Burden
Published on
October 19, 2025
Japan is set to join US, France, Mali, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and more countries in introducing significant visa fee hikes as the government tackles rising visitor numbers and administrative burden. With tourism reaching record levels, Japan’s visa system is under increasing pressure, prompting the need for fee increases to offset the escalating administrative costs of managing the influx of international visitors. This move aligns Japan with other major tourist destinations that have implemented similar changes to cope with rising demand and ensure the sustainability of their immigration services.
Japan is set to implement significant changes to its visa application fees for the first time in nearly five decades. As the country witnesses an unprecedented surge in tourism, Japan is seeking to align itself with international standards by raising visa fees in response to soaring administrative costs. The country’s new visa fee structure will bring Japan closer to the levels currently charged by other developed nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and New Zealand. This adjustment, which could come into effect as early as next fiscal year, aims to balance the influx of tourists with efficient administrative processes and stronger border control measures.
Japan has long been known for having one of the most affordable visa systems globally, charging as little as 3,000 yen ($20) for a single-entry visa and 6,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa. In comparison, the U.S. charges $185 for short-stay visas, the U.K. $177, and Schengen Area countries such as France, Germany, and Italy charge €90 ($105). Given Japan’s tourism boom and the financial strain placed on its visa processing infrastructure, this adjustment will see Japan’s visa fees increase to reflect the rising costs associated with handling the growing number of visitors.
The Rising Demand for Visas and the Pressure on Japan’s Administrative System
Tourism in Japan has exploded in recent years. In the first half of 2025, Japan welcomed a staggering 21.5 million visitors, surpassing the 20 million mark for the first time during this period. This surge in tourist numbers, up from 17.8 million in the previous year, has placed immense pressure on the country’s immigration system. The Japanese government now faces a dilemma: how to accommodate the needs of international tourists while ensuring efficient border processing and maintaining national security.
Japan’s immigration authorities have found that the administrative costs of managing the growing number of visa applications are unsustainable with the current fee structure. The government claims that this new visa fee structure will help fund necessary improvements in the processing system, including the introduction of more streamlined procedures and better infrastructure.
One of the key reasons for these adjustments is the aim to offset rising administrative costs while avoiding potential delays or inefficiencies at immigration checkpoints. The increased fees will likely fund the development of technologies such as automated e-visa applications and biometric screening, as well as better data systems for managing the influx of travelers.
Comparing Japan’s Fee Hike to Global Trends in Visa Pricing
Japan is not the only country revising its visa fees. The trend of visa fee increases has been observed globally, particularly in countries with high tourist demand. These hikes are often driven by similar motivations: increased tourism inflows and the rising cost of immigration services.
For example, Australia has implemented a sharp increase in its student visa application charges. On July 1, 2024, the fee rose from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600, with plans for a further increase to AUD 2,000 by July 2025. While this rise is primarily to accommodate the booming international student market, it also reflects broader efforts to better manage the growing demand for visa processing.
The United States has also introduced a new “visa integrity fee” of $250 for many nonimmigrant visa applicants, including tourists, business travelers, and international students from countries like China, India, and Brazil. This fee, effective from July 2025, is part of a broader set of immigration reforms that aim to increase the integrity of the U.S. visa system and cover the costs of processing rising visa applications.
In Europe, the United Kingdom increased the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from £10 to £16 in April 2025. The move is part of the UK’s broader strategy to streamline border security and immigration controls.
New Zealand has also raised its visa application fees, including the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which will now contribute to infrastructure and environmental conservation initiatives. This fee increase, effective from October 2024, comes as part of a national strategy to manage both tourism growth and its impact on the environment.
France and Germany, as Schengen Area members, follow the EU-wide visa fee increase to €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12 years. This adjustment is part of the broader EU visa fee harmonization, which ensures consistency across member states.
Countries Raising Visa Fees
The following countries are implementing or have already implemented significant increases in visa application fees as part of their broader strategies to manage tourism and immigration:
- Japan – Historic visa fee increase to manage rising administrative costs and align with global standards.
- United States – Introduction of a $250 “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant visa applicants.
- France – Schengen visa fee increased to €90 for adults and €45 for children.
- Germany – Followed EU-wide changes with visa fee hike to €90 for adults and €45 for children.
- Australia – Significant increases in student visa charges, rising from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 in 2024 and set to reach AUD 2,000 by 2025.
- New Zealand – Raised visa application charges, including the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
- United Kingdom – Increased the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee from £10 to £16.
- Mali – U.S. citizens required to post a visa bond of up to $10,000 due to diplomatic tensions, effective in 2025.
Japan’s Visa Fee Adjustments: What It Means for Tourists
The key question for many travelers is whether these fee increases will impact their decision to visit Japan. While the Japanese government asserts that the new visa fees will not deter visitors, the increase could affect certain segments of the tourism market, particularly budget-conscious travelers or those applying for multiple-entry visas.
However, the government believes that the rise in visa fees could, in fact, help manage overtourism in popular destinations like Kyoto and Tokyo. By increasing visa costs, Japan hopes to balance tourism across the country, encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known regions rather than crowding the major tourist hubs. The higher visa fees might also prevent frivolous applications, reducing the administrative burden of processing non-essential visa requests.
In addition to the visa fee increase, Japan is also considering charging fees upfront during the application process, similar to systems already in place in the U.S. and Europe. This change would help discourage frivolous filings and ease the administrative workload, ensuring that only genuine travelers are applying for visas. By adopting a prepayment model, Japan could reduce the number of visa applications from travelers who do not have serious intentions of visiting the country.
The Implications of Japan’s Visa Fee Increase for Key Tourism Markets
Japan currently requires visas for travelers from over 120 countries, including major sources of international tourism like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. In 2024, Chinese nationals accounted for 70% of all visas issued, amounting to 5.24 million. The Philippines followed with 570,000 visas, while Vietnam had 320,000. Together, these three nations accounted for nearly 90% of Japan’s total visa issuances.
For countries such as China, which already has a large proportion of visa applications, the fee increase may raise concerns. However, given that many Chinese travelers have already been accustomed to paying higher visa fees for other destinations such as the U.S. and the U.K., the impact may be minimal. The situation may be different for visitors from countries with lower visa fee structures, who could be more sensitive to price changes.
The increase could also potentially influence the volume of business and student visas. Many Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino nationals travel to Japan for business, educational purposes, and work-related stays. These visa categories make up a significant portion of the overall visas issued by Japan. Higher fees could impact some students or business professionals considering Japan as a destination, especially those seeking long-term visas for study or work.
Japan’s Broader Tourism Strategy: A Balanced Approach
In addition to the visa fee increases, Japan has been looking into a more comprehensive strategy to manage its tourism growth. This includes repealing the consumption tax exemption for foreign visitors, a proposal that has garnered support from some members of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The exemption, which allowed foreign visitors to shop duty-free, has led to large-scale purchases of home appliances and cosmetics, which are often resold abroad.
Japan’s new tourism-related fees are part of a broader strategy to manage its visitor numbers and promote sustainable tourism practices. The revenue generated from the international tourist tax, which saw a record 48.1 billion yen collected between April 2024 and April 2025, will likely be reinvested into the country’s tourism infrastructure and services.
While the government’s aim is to manage the influx of visitors and prevent overcrowding at popular tourist spots, it also hopes to boost the overall experience for tourists by ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach all regions of the country.
Japan’s decision to raise visa fees marks a significant shift in how the country manages its tourism industry. As the government seeks to balance the benefits of tourism with the need for effective administrative processes, the country is aligning itself with global trends in visa pricing. By raising visa fees, Japan not only aims to cover its increasing administrative costs but also hopes to manage tourist numbers in a more sustainable way.
While the increase in visa fees may have some impact on travelers, Japan’s broader strategy reflects a commitment to ensuring the longevity of its tourism industry. By implementing these changes, Japan is positioning itself to remain a top destination for international tourists while maintaining the quality of its services and preserving its cultural heritage.
Japan is set to join US, France, Mali, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and more countries in raising visa fees to address the growing number of visitors and the rising administrative burden. This fee hike is aimed at managing the increasing demand while ensuring efficient processing and border control.
As other nations, including the U.S., UK, Australia, and New Zealand, have already implemented similar changes, Japan’s move is part of a larger global trend. The real question now is how this shift will affect travelers from key markets like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines and whether it will prompt a change in travel patterns to Japan in the coming years.
