Indian travellers planning a trip to Japan may not have to worry about the country’s new, much higher visa fees after all. While Japan will raise its standard tourist visa fee from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 from July 1, 2026, the latest information suggests that Indian passport holders will continue paying just ₹500, plus applicable VFS service charges.

That is because India appears to remain covered under a separate bilateral fee arrangement, even as Japan rolls out a new global visa pricing system.

Global Visa Fees Are Going Up

Japan has confirmed that standard visa fees will increase for many foreign nationals from July 1. Under the revised schedule:

• Single-entry visa: ¥15,000
• Multiple-entry visa: ¥30,000
• Transit visa: Discontinued

Travellers who previously required a transit visa will now need to apply for a short-term stay visa if they must clear immigration during their connection.

Indian Passport Holders Still Listed at ₹500

The picture looks very different for Indians. The Embassy of Japan in India and Japanese missions overseas continue to publish a special visa fee for Indian passport holders. Current schedules show:

• Single-entry visa: ₹500
• Multiple-entry visa: ₹500
• Transit visa: No longer available

A similar notice issued by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco also keeps the visa fee for Indian passport holders at US$6, while standard visa fees for other nationalities rise sharply. This strongly suggests that the India-specific fee arrangement remains in place.

Has Japan Changed the India-Specific Visa Fee?

At this stage, there is no official announcement confirming that Indian travellers will be moved to the new ¥15,000 fee.

This is an important distinction. Japan has announced higher standard visa fees, but none of the official notices examined so far state that the special fee applicable to Indian nationals has been withdrawn.

Until the Embassy of Japan in India issues fresh guidance, the published fee of ₹500 remains the official government visa charge for Indian applicants.

I have seen Japan maintain country-specific visa arrangements in the past, and this update follows the same pattern rather than replacing every existing agreement with a single global fee.

Transit Visa Ends for Everyone

One change is universal. From July 1, Japan will stop issuing transit visas worldwide. Travellers who need to leave the international transit area, transfer between airports, or otherwise pass through Japanese immigration must instead apply for a short-term stay visa.

Why This Matters for Indian Travellers

Japan has become increasingly accessible from India, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, alongside one-stop connections through Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

If the ₹500 fee continues unchanged, Indian passport holders will remain among the lowest-paying applicants for a Japanese tourist visa, despite the steep increase introduced for many other nationalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will Indians Have to Pay ¥15,000 for a Japan Tourist Visa From July 1, 2026?

No official source currently says so. The latest published fee schedule for Indian passport holders still lists the government visa fee at ₹500, plus applicable VFS charges.

2. Has Japan Officially Removed the ₹500 Visa Fee for Indians?

No. There has been no announcement from the Embassy of Japan in India or Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming any change to the India-specific visa fee arrangement.

3. Why Are Other Countries Paying Much More?

Japan has revised its standard visa fees globally. However, Indian nationals continue to be subject to a separate fee schedule that remains substantially lower.

4. Is the Transit Visa Still Available?

No. Japan will discontinue transit visas from July 1, 2026. Travellers who need to clear immigration during transit must apply for a short-term stay visa instead.

5. Should Indian Travellers Wait Before Applying?

If your travel dates are approaching, apply using the fee currently published by the Embassy of Japan in India and your designated visa application centre. If Japan later announces any revisions for Indian applicants, they are expected to be communicated through official channels before implementation.

Take

We believe Indian travellers should not assume the new ¥15,000 fee applies to them. Until Japan officially changes the India-specific arrangement, the published ₹500 visa fee remains the most reliable guidance.

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