Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Japanese government has approved a landmark increase in visa fees for Nigerians and other foreign nationals, ending nearly five decades of unchanged charges and marking the first revision to the country's visa pricing structure since 1978. The decision, which was approved during a Cabinet meeting on Friday, June 19, 2026, will take effect from July 1, 2026, according to reports by Japanese media and confirmed by multiple Nigerian news outlets.
Under the revised fee structure, the cost of obtaining a single-entry visa will jump from ¥3,000 (approximately $18.60) to ¥15,000 ($92.99), representing a staggering 400 per cent increase. Multiple-entry visas will also see a sharp rise, increasing from ¥6,000 ($37.20) to ¥30,000 ($187.97). In naira terms, the single-entry visa fee will rise from about N25,290 to N126,000, based on current exchange rates.
The revised charges will apply to all visa applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, regardless of the applicant's country of origin.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed that the fee adjustment was long overdue, as visa charges had remained frozen since 1978 despite decades of inflation and significant currency fluctuations. "The current visa fee was set in 1978, and we have recently revised it to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then," Motegi told reporters during a news conference on Friday. "We made this decision after carefully considering various factors, and we do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism," he added.
The fee increase follows the enactment of legislation by Japan's Upper House last month, which allows visa-related charges for foreign nationals to rise by as much as 30 times their current levels. The bill, which had earlier passed the Lower House in April, is aimed at generating additional revenue to help cover the administrative costs of managing Japan's growing foreign population.
Japan's foreign resident population reached a record 4.13 million at the end of 2025, prompting authorities to review funding requirements for immigration administration and related services. Officials said the additional revenue from higher visa fees would support immigration management systems, Japanese-language education programmes, and measures aimed at addressing visa overstays and other compliance issues.
Beyond visa applications, Japan is also planning substantial increases in other immigration and residency-related fees. Under the revised framework, the cost of changing residency status or extending a stay could rise from the current range of ¥5,500–¥6,000 to as much as ¥70,000. Permanent residency application fees could also jump from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. These changes are expected to be implemented before the end of the next fiscal year on March 31, 2027.
Japanese authorities have justified the increases by stating that Japan needs to align its visa and residency charges more closely with Western nations to establish a more robust immigration system. In the United States, visa renewal fees can cost between $420 and $470, while similar charges in Germany range from €93 to €98.
The hike comes amid a broader trend of countries raising immigration charges. The United Kingdom increased fees for visitor, student and work visas in 2026, while Australia more than doubled student visa application charges. New Zealand also raised fees for visitor, work and residency applications in 2026.
For Nigerian travellers, students, and businesspeople planning trips to Japan, the new fees will take effect from July 1, adding a significant cost burden to travel plans. The Japanese government does not expect the move to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism, according to Foreign Minister Motegi.
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