Quick Answer
Starting in FY2026 (Japan), several government fees relevant to foreign nationals — and to anyone departing Japan — are set to change. Primary sources already specify (1) a higher International Tourist Tax, or departure tax (¥1,000 → ¥3,000), and (2) lower Japanese passport fees, both scheduled to apply from July 1, 2026. By contrast, the proposed increases in visa fees (¥3,000 → ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa) and residence-related procedure fees (¥6,000 → ¥40,000) are still budget-proposal-level plans, with scope, procedure coverage, and effective dates to be confirmed through official MOFA/ISA announcements and final regulations. This article clearly separates what is specified in primary sources from what is still pending.
What This Article Covers
- What fees are changing, when, and by how much
- Which changes are specified in primary sources and which are still at the "budget proposal" stage
- How the timing affects you — depending on when you book flights, apply for a passport, or renew your residence status
What Is Changing? Timeline and Costs
💰 Specified in primary sources — Scheduled to apply from July 1, 2026
| Item | Current | After Change (Scheduled) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourist Tax (departure tax) | ¥1,000/departure | ¥3,000/departure | Applies to departures on or after July 1, 2026, regardless of nationality. Transitional measures may apply for certain transport contracts signed before that date |
| Japanese 10-year passport fee | Online ¥15,900 / Counter ¥16,300 | Online ¥8,900 / Counter ¥9,300 | Applies to Japanese passport applications received on or after 00:00 (midnight) on July 1, 2026. Overseas applications use local time at the embassy or consulate |
📌 Pending — Budget proposal direction only (details to be confirmed by law/ordinance/regulations)
| Item | Current | Proposed Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (single-entry) | ¥3,000 | ¥15,000 | MOFA will announce the confirmed scope (countries, visa types, multi-entry) and effective date |
| Residence-related procedure fee (change/renewal) | ¥6,000 etc. | ¥40,000 etc. | Varies by duration of stay. ISA will announce target procedures, online/counter differences, and transitional measures |
📄 Current residence procedure fees (revised April 1, 2025) can be checked on the Immigration Services Agency website. Having these figures on hand provides a useful baseline for comparison.
Why Are Fees Going Up?
The FY2026 budget proposal (approved by Cabinet in December 2025) raises these fees to secure funding for several policy areas:
- Overtourism countermeasures and airport congestion relief — funded by higher departure tax revenue
- Strengthening consular services and diplomatic operations — funded by higher visa fee revenue
- Strengthening immigration administration and compliance measures — funded by higher residence fee revenue
The Japan Tourism Agency (under MLIT) has outlined a basic policy for the use of International Tourist Tax (departure tax) revenue, focusing on areas such as improving the environment for receiving inbound travelers. The additional departure tax revenue is structured to be used within this framework.
Who Is Affected and When?
⏰ Case 1: You buy a flight in June and depart in July
The new ¥3,000 rate is scheduled to apply to departures on or after July 1, 2026 — regardless of nationality. However, if your departure falls under a transport contract signed before July 1, the old rate (¥1,000) may still apply under transitional measures. In short, when you booked could determine which rate you pay. Keep an eye out for the official transitional guidance.
💰 Case 2: You apply for a Japanese passport after July
Applications received on or after 00:00 (midnight) on July 1, 2026 are expected to be subject to the new, lower fees — ¥8,900 for online and ¥9,300 for counter applications (10-year passport). If you apply at an embassy or consulate overseas, the local time at that office is what counts.
📄 Case 3: You need to renew or change your residence status soon
The proposed increase to ¥40,000 is currently a "budget proposal direction" — not yet finalized. The implementation date, list of target procedures, and whether online and counter fees differ are all pending confirmation from the Immigration Services Agency. If your renewal is coming up, the safest approach is to monitor ISA announcements and treat this as advance notice for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the departure tax increase to ¥3,000? Are there transitional measures?
According to the Ministry of Finance's FY2026 Tax Reform Outline, the new rate of ¥3,000 per departure is scheduled to apply to departures on or after July 1, 2026, regardless of nationality. Departures based on certain transport contracts signed before that date may remain at the old ¥1,000 rate under transitional measures. This means when you purchased your ticket could affect which rate applies.
When do Japanese passport fees go down?
According to MOFA's "Passport Fee Revision (Draft)," the new fees apply to applications received on or after 00:00 (midnight) on July 1, 2026. For 10-year passports, the fee drops to ¥8,900 (online) or ¥9,300 (counter). For overseas applications, the local time at the embassy or consulate where you apply is the reference point.
When will visa and residence fees be finalized?
The visa fee increase (single-entry: ¥3,000 → ¥15,000) and the residence-related procedure fee increase (¥6,000 → approximately ¥40,000) are laid out in the FY2026 budget proposal. However, the implementation dates, target procedures, and fee details will only be confirmed once MOFA and ISA issue official announcements or the relevant laws, ordinances, and regulations are finalized. Check each agency's official page once confirmed information becomes available.
Sources
- Major Increase in Foreign-National-Related Fees — FY2026 Budget Accelerates Measures (Liberal Democratic Party of Japan)
- FY2026 Tax Reform Outline (Summary) (Ministry of Finance) — International Tourist Tax increase (¥3,000 per departure)
- Passport Fee Revision (Draft) (MOFA, PDF) — Background, new fees, and planned effective date from July 1, 2026
- Use of International Tourist Tax Revenue (Japan Tourism Agency / MLIT) — Basic policy and areas of allocation
- Revision of Residence Procedure Fees (April 1, 2025) (Immigration Services Agency) — Current fees
Last verified: February 25, 2026. Visa and residence fee implementation dates and scope should be confirmed via official MOFA and ISA announcements as they become available.