Japan to raise visa fees fivefold from July 1, sending costs for Vietnamese above $190

The fee hike results from decades of inflation and significant exchange rate fluctuations.

Single-entry visa fees will increase to 15,000 yen ($92.5), from the current 3,000 yen ($18.5).

The issuance fees for visas allowing multiple entries will be raised to 30,000 yen ($185) from 6,000 yen ($37).

The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam has also published the updated visa fee schedule.

For Vietnamese applicants, the cost of a single-entry visa will increase from VND520,000 ($19.7) to VND2.59 million ($98.5).

The fee for a multiple-entry visa will rise to VND5.17 million ($196.5).

According to Euronews, Japanese officials said the increase reflects nearly five decades of inflation as well as major shifts in foreign exchange rates.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the government decided to review visa fees because the existing system no longer reflected the true administrative cost of issuing visas and managing immigration procedures.

The government argues that even after the increase, Japan's immigration fees remain broadly comparable to those charged by several Western countries.

Tokyo does not expect the higher visa costs to significantly impact inbound tourism, said the minister.

Japan has recorded a surge in international visitors in recent years, driven by the weak yen and robust global demand for travel.

Officials said that the additional revenue will help finance the management of Japan's rapidly growing foreign population.

Immigration services need more staffing, technology, and infrastructure to manage rising demand.

Part of the new funding will also be allocated to Japanese-language training programs for foreigners.

In addition, the government plans to strengthen measures against visa overstays, improve residence status monitoring systems, and enhance immigration case processing.