Japan has increased visa application fees for the first time in 46 years, a move that will hit travellers from dozens of countries. But sources confirm British passport holders have been spared the worst of the hike.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the fee revision on Monday, effective from 1 April 2025. Single-entry visa fees for most nationalities will rise from 3,000 yen (£16) to 6,000 yen (£32), while multiple-entry visas will jump from 6,000 yen to 12,000 yen (£64). The last such increase was in 1978.
However, internal documents uncovered by this desk show that citizens of the United Kingdom, along with those from the United States, Australia, Canada, and several European nations, will face a smaller increase. For these countries, the single-entry fee will rise to 4,000 yen (£21) and multiple-entry to 8,000 yen (£42). Officials claim this is due to reciprocal arrangements and low overstay rates.
Industry insiders are calling it a political carve-out. 'It's a selective squeeze. They're hitting the countries with high visa demand and lower incomes, while letting wealthy Western travellers off lightly,' said a Tokyo-based travel analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The hike comes as Japan seeks to boost tourism revenue after pandemic-era border closures. The country saw a record 32 million visitors in 2024, but officials want to increase per-tourist spending. Critics argue the fee rise is a regressive tax on travellers from emerging economies.
A spokesperson for the Japanese Embassy in London said the changes were necessary to cover administrative costs and improve visa processing. 'The fees have not been adjusted for nearly five decades, and this modest increase reflects the real cost of services,' they said.
British travel associations have expressed muted relief. 'We are pleased that UK travellers have been partially shielded, but the overall increase is still a blow to tourism affordability,' said a representative from the UK Travel Association.
Meanwhile, human rights groups have condemned the differential pricing. 'This is a two-tier system that discriminates based on nationality and income,' said a campaigner from Amnesty International's London office.
The new fees are expected to generate an additional ¥30 billion ($200 million) annually for the Japanese government, according to ministry estimates. But for budget travellers from countries like India, China, and the Philippines, the cost of a single-entry visa will now exceed the price of a budget flight.
As the global travel industry recovers, Japan's decision signals a growing trend of countries using visa fees as a revenue tool. Australia recently raised its visitor visa fees by 25%, and the UK is rumoured to be considering an increase.
For now, British passport holders can breathe easier. But the message is clear: travel is becoming a luxury, and passports from the Global North remain the golden ticket.