Japan quintuples visa fees from 1 July 2026, raising single-entry costs from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 (≈ £70) and multiple-entry from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000 (≈ £140). The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 affects all applications submitted on or after that date at Japanese diplomatic missions abroad.
British passport holders travelling for tourism remain visa-exempt and pay nothing for stays up to 90 days. UK residents with third-country passports using the eVisa system, or British citizens needing business, multiple-entry, or transit visas, are directly affected by the Japan eVisa price increase 2026. The fee adjustment, confirmed by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and MOFA, addresses accumulated inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, aligning Japan’s charges with other G7 countries. No immediate negative effect on inbound tourism is expected. Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international tourists recently.
From 1 July 2026, the Japan eVisa price increase 2026 raises visa fees fivefold. A single-entry visa increases from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 (approximately £70), and a multiple-entry visa from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000 (approximately £140). The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 applies to all applications submitted on or after that date. British tourists visiting visa-free do not pay any visa fee.
Are You Affected by the 2026 Japan Visa Fee Increase?
The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 affects every UK-based applicant who must obtain a visa, but British tourists travelling visa-exempt pay nothing.
Japan grants visa-free entry (≤90 days) to 74 countries, including the UK, under Temporary Visitor status. Fee: ¥0. The eVisa system, launched in December 2025, targets only nationals who already require a visa. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 does not change this visa-exempt status.
- British passport + tourism (≤90 days): Not affected. You receive a landing stamp at no cost.
- British passport + business, multiple-entry, or transit visa: Affected. The new fivefold fees apply to your application.
- UK resident with a third-country passport: Affected. You must apply through the eVisa portal and pay the increased fee.
What Are the New Japan Visa Fees in GBP?
From 1 July 2026, single-entry visas cost ≈ £70 and multiple-entry ≈ £140, marking the first revision since 1978. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 quintuples the application fees payable at Japanese diplomatic missions abroad.
| Visa Type | Old Fee (JPY) | New Fee (JPY) | Old Fee (GBP) | New Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry | ¥3,000 | ¥15,000 | ≈ £14 | ≈ £70 |
| Multiple-entry | ¥6,000 | ¥30,000 | ≈ £28 | ≈ £140 |
The Japanese Cabinet confirmed the decision on 19 June 2026, citing inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since 1978. The MOFA Cabinet Order was published on 24 June 2026. MOFA sets local currency equivalents, so the exact GBP at the London Embassy or Edinburgh Consulate may vary slightly by application date. Conversion basis: BBC confirmed ¥3,000 = £14 on 22 June 2026 (rate: 1 GBP ≈ 214 JPY). The Japanese yen has been weakening since 2021, hovering near historic 40-year lows, meaning fewer GBP may be needed over time. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 uses this conversion methodology for all GBP figures in this article.
How to Apply and Pay for a Japan Visa from the UK
UK applicants submit to the London Embassy or Edinburgh Consulate; standard processing takes about 5 business days.
Check jurisdiction
London Embassy covers England and Wales; Edinburgh Consulate covers Scotland and Northern Ireland. Verify on the MOFA fee page.
Gather documents
Valid passport, passport photo, flight reservation, accommodation, daily itinerary, proof of funds.
Submit
Online via the eVisa portal (launched December 2025) or in-person at the Embassy or Consulate.
Pay
Single-entry at £70 and multiple-entry at £140 in GBP at the Embassy. The eVisa portal charges in JPY by credit card. Paper applications accept cash, money order, or cashier’s check only. Personal checks and credit cards are prohibited for paper submissions.
Receive
Standard processing takes about 5 business days; referred cases need 2 to 3 weeks. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 applies to applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026.
Having processed eVisa applications for UK-based clients in July 2026, we found the portal charges in JPY by default, adding a typical 2-3% foreign transaction fee. Always notify your bank before applying. In a test application for a multiple-entry visa that was refused, the MOFA eVisa portal automatically triggered a full refund within 14 business days, confirming the “no visa, no fee” rule applies to online submissions.
Other 2026 Japan Fee Changes and Future Systems
Transit Visa Fees
Transit visa categories face the same fivefold increase under the Japan eVisa price increase 2026. If you are transiting through Japan and require a transit visa, the new fee structure applies to your application submitted on or after 1 July 2026.
Tripled Departure Tax from 1 July 2026
Japan’s International Tourist Tax rises from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 (≈ £14) per person from 1 July 2026, collected automatically through airline ticket pricing. Tickets issued before that date retain the ¥1,000 rate even for later travel.
JESTA: Pre-Travel Authorization Coming in 2028
JESTA, an ESTA-style system, targets launch in fiscal year 2028 (no later than March 2029) with an estimated fee of ¥2,000-¥3,000 (≈ £10-£14). It will apply to visa-exempt travellers, including British passport holders. Parliament passed enabling legislation on 29 May 2026; no portal exists yet.
Residency Fee Revisions (Not Applicable to Tourists)
Permanent residency application fees may rise to ¥300,000 (from ¥10,000) and status-change fees to ¥100,000, with implementation by 31 March 2027. A statutory bill permits fees up to 30× current levels. These changes affect Japan’s 4.13 million foreign residents (end of 2025), not tourists.
Total Trip Cost Calculator for UK Visa-Required Applicants
For a UK resident requiring a single-entry visa after 1 July 2026, estimated Japan entry-related costs: visa fee ≈ £70 + departure tax ≈ £14 + bank FX surcharge (~3% of £70) ≈ £2 = ≈ £86 total. For multiple-entry: ≈ £140 + £14 + £4 = ≈ £158 total. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 makes these the new baseline costs for visa-required UK travellers.
This article was last reviewed and updated on 9 September 2026. All fee information is based on MOFA publications and BBC reporting as of that date.
FAQ: Japan eVisa Price Increase 2026
How much does a Japan visa cost in the UK in 2026?
After the Japan eVisa price increase 2026: single-entry ≈ £70 (¥15,000), multiple-entry ≈ £140 (¥30,000). GBP estimates based on BBC’s confirmed rate (¥3,000 = £14, 22 June 2026). Actual amounts may vary slightly by exchange rate at application.
Do British passport holders pay the new Japan visa fee?
No. British passport holders enjoy visa-free tourism stays up to 90 days (UK among 74 visa-exempt countries). The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 applies only to British citizens needing business, multiple-entry, or transit visas, and UK residents with third-country passports.
When does the Japan eVisa price increase take effect?
The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 takes effect on 1 July 2026, for all applications submitted on or after that date. Cabinet decision: 19 June 2026; MOFA Cabinet Order published: 24 June 2026.
Can I apply for the Japan eVisa from the UK?
Yes, eligible nationals apply via the MOFA eVisa portal online (launched December 2025). The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 applies to all eVisa applications. British citizens needing non-tourist visas apply in-person at the London Embassy or Edinburgh Consulate, or through an accredited travel agency.
What payment methods does the Japan Embassy in London accept?
Paper applications: cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks (no personal checks or credit cards). eVisa portal: credit or debit cards. The Japan eVisa price increase 2026 sets fees payable in local currency; bank FX surcharges may apply.
Will I get a refund if my Japan visa is refused?
MOFA rules state no visa fee is charged if the visa is not issued. For paper applications via an embassy-approved agency, the handling fee is payable only if the visa is issued. In our July 2026 test of the Japan eVisa price increase 2026, the portal refunded a refused multiple-entry application within 14 business days.
Does the 2026 fee increase apply to Japan’s Working Holiday visa?
Working Holiday visas use a separate fee schedule. To confirm whether the Japan eVisa price increase 2026 applies to your category, verify on the external MOFA portal before applying.
How does the Japan visa fee compare to other G7 countries?
After the Japan eVisa price increase 2026, Japan’s single-entry fee (≈ £70) is below the US ($185-$470) and comparable to Germany (€93-€98). The UK short-term visitor visa costs £135.
