Japan is raising visa fees for foreigners five-fold starting July—are PH passport holders included?
The Japanese government has announced it will raise visa fees fivefold for foreign nationals beginning July 1.
For single-entry visas, fees will be increased from the current ¥3,000 (about P1,150) to ¥15,000 (about P5,668). The fee for multiple-entry visas over a set period is set to go from ¥6,000 (about P2,300) to ¥30,000 (about P11,337).
Visa issuance fees for Japan have remained the same for nearly 50 years. According to Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, the country's current visa fees were set in 1978. The government decided to review the fees amidst rising prices and in response to changes in foreign exchange rates.
Toshimitsu added that the Cabinet arrived at the decision after considering numerous factors, adding that the rise in visa fees is not expected to immediately impact inbound tourism.
On the website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the current fee for single-entry visas is P1,150; for multiple-entry visas, the fee is P2,300; transit visa is at P250; and extension of a re-entry permit costs P1,150. According to the same site, however, "Temporary visitor visas for Philippine nationals are gratis."
Sought for clarification, the Japanese Embassy told PhilSTAR L!fe via email, "A formal announcement with specific details is scheduled to be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the coming days."
