Tourism Japan to raise visa fees to match U.S. and European rates as inbound tourism soars

Japan's government is set to raise visa application fees to match those in the United States and Europe, aiming to cover the rising administrative costs associated with the country's unprecedented surge in overseas visitors. Officials are said to be studying the visa fee structures of the Group of Seven and other OECD member countries to determine the new rates, which have yet to be finalised. The higher fees will reportedly apply to visas for tourism, business travel and long-term stays. Implementation could begin as early as the next fiscal year, following a period of public consultation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At present, Japan charges around 3,000 yen (approximately $20) for a single-entry visa and 6,000 yen for multiple-entry permission. In comparison, the United States currently charges $185 for a short-stay visa, the United Kingdom $177, and Canada 100 Canadian dollars (roughly $71). Within Europe's Schengen zone, France, Germany and Italy all charge about 90 euros ($105) for short-term visas.

These countries have repeatedly raised visa fees to keep pace with inflation and currency fluctuations and to curb foreign arrivals. Japan has not raised visa fees since 1978, according to records dating back to that year. [...] The government believes that raising visa fees will not lead to a significant decrease in visitors coming to Japan. The move is also expected to help mitigate overtourism. Japan requires visas for short-term stays for travelers arriving from over 120 countries, including China and Vietnam and the Philippines. Last year, 5.24 million visas were issued to Chinese nationals, accounting for 70% of the total. The Philippines had the second-largest visa issuance at 570,000, followed by Vietnam at 320,000 visas. The top three countries alone account for nearly 90% of all visas. Short-term visa exemptions are offered under certain conditions to 74 nations and regions, including the U.S., South Korea and Australia.

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Paywall alert:

Last year, 5.24 million visas were issued to Chinese nationals, accounting for 70% of the total.

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My calculator tells me that means 7.48 million of these visas overall. (skipping how exemptions might affect things)

Times ¥10,000 would be ¥74.8 billion, or times ¥20,000 would be ¥1.496 trillion.*

*got that wrong first time--I think this is correct

'The government believes that raising visa fees will not lead to a significant decrease in visitors coming to Japan. The move is also expected to help mitigate overtourism.'

Those two sentences seem to contradict each other, as the only way to help mitigate overtourism is to reduce the number of tourists.

Lothor said:

'The government believes that raising visa fees will not lead to a significant decrease in visitors coming to Japan. The move is also expected to help mitigate overtourism.'

Those two sentences seem to contradict each other, as the only way to help mitigate overtourism is to reduce the number of tourists.

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They can use the money to mitigate tourism. Add new bus routes. Pay for garbage bins. Promote other areas, etc.

mdchachi said:

They can use the money to mitigate tourism. Add new bus routes. Pay for garbage bins. Promote other areas, etc.

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They might, but I'm not holding my breath.