In a move that will sting the wallets of British holidaymakers, Japan has announced a fivefold increase in visa fees, the first hike since 1978. The cost of a single-entry visa will rise from £12 to £60, while multiple-entry visas jump from £24 to £120. The change, effective from next month, comes as Japan seeks to manage post-pandemic tourism demand and align fees with other developed nations.
For UK travellers, who have enjoyed visa-free access to Japan for short stays, the news is a sharp reminder that budget-friendly travel is under assault. The decision will hit those planning longer stays or work trips hardest. Japan’s Foreign Ministry cited “rising administrative costs and the need to invest in digital processing” as justification.
Yet critics argue the hike is a regressive tax on travel, disproportionately affecting younger tourists and families. “This is a blow to the working class who saved for a trip of a lifetime,” said travel consultant Elena Rossi. “Japan was seen as an expensive destination already; this will price out many.”
The timing is particularly painful for UK travellers, who face weakening sterling and rising travel costs across the board. Industry bodies warn the move could dampen the post-pandemic recovery in outbound tourism. Japan recorded over 3 million UK visitors in 2019, and while numbers have bounced back, the fee hike may slow momentum.
Japan’s decision also reflects a broader global trend: visa fees are climbing as governments seek to capitalise on travel demand. The UK itself has raised visa costs, but the scale of Japan’s jump is unprecedented. For the British tourist dreaming of cherry blossoms and bullet trains, the dream just got more expensive. And for the economy, it’s another leak in the household budget.
