Japan hikes visa fees after nearly 50 years

Japan has significantly increased visa fees for foreigners. This is the first time in nearly five decades that the fees have been revised, with the cost of various types of visas increasing by up to five times.

The Japanese government has announced that the new rates will come into effect from July 1. According to the new rules, the single-entry visa fee has been increased from 3,000 yen (about 2,278 taka) to 15,000 yen or 11,395 taka.

Similarly, the multiple-entry visa fee has been increased from 6,000 yen or 4,558 taka to 30,000 yen or 22,790 taka.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that the decision was taken taking into account inflation and changes in foreign exchange rates. He said that they do not expect it to have a major impact on tourist arrivals immediately.

The number of tourists to the country has increased significantly in recent years due to the long-term weakness of the Japanese yen. Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international tourists last year as the tourism sector rebounded after the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Japan has increased not only visa fees but also other fees related to foreigners. A law recently passed by the country's upper house of parliament has set the permanent residence application fee at a maximum of 300,000 yen (227,897 taka), which is almost 30 times higher than before.

In addition, the fee for changing the status of residence or extending the visa period has also been increased from 10,000 yen (7,597 taka) to a maximum of 100,000 yen (75,966 taka).

BBC News.