Japan tourist board reassures Brits over entry visa price hikes

The Japan tourist board has reassured British travellers they are exempt from substantial price hikes in visa fees to enter the country. 

The Japanese government recently announced sharp increases to visa fees for international visitors from July 1, marking the first changes to the structure in nearly 50 years. 

The overhaul raises the cost of a single-entry visa from 3,000 yen (around £14) to 15,000 yen (£70), while issuance fees for multiple-entry visas will jump from 6,000 yen (£28) to 30,000 yen (£140). 

However, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) moved to reassure Brits that the new entry fees will not affect them. UK citizens can currently visit Japan visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. 

The JNTO said: “The UK remains one of 74 countries and regions whose citizens are entirely exempt from short-term visa requirements when visiting Japan.” 

Separately, Japan’s international tourist tax – applied to all departing travellers – is also increasing from July 1, rising from 1,000 yen (approximately £5) to 3,000 yen (approximately £15). 

The fee will continue to be automatically included in the cost of outbound air or ship fares rather than charged separately at the departure airport. Transit passengers leaving within 24 hours of arrival and children under the age of two remain exempt from the tax. 

Japan welcomed 535,004 visitors from the UK last year, a 22.4% increase on 2024. From January to May this year, the destination recorded 250,500 UK arrivals, up 5.5% on the same period in 2025.