Japan has carried out its first visa-fee revision since 1978, raising single-entry fees from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 for most nationalities as of 1 July. Yet Indian passport holders remain exempt, continuing to pay just ₹500 (about ¥870) for both single- and multiple-entry visas, according to circulars from the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi. The exemption stems from a bilateral agreement dating back to 1974 that caps Indian fees. While South-East Asian neighbours will now shell out the equivalent of ₹8,700 for a single-entry visa, Indians retain one of the world’s cheapest access routes to a G7 country.
![Japan’s five-fold visa fee hike spares Indian travellers as ₹500 rate stays]()
For Indian applicants keen to capitalise on this bargain, VisaHQ can streamline the entire Japan visa application process—offering step-by-step guidance, document checklists and courier options on one convenient platform. You can begin your application or explore requirements for other destinations at https://www.visahq.com/india/
Travel agents in Mumbai report a 40 % spike in Japan tour enquiries since the news broke; corporate travel managers see the destination becoming more attractive for incentive trips and client meetings. However, VFS Global’s service fee of ₹800 still applies, bringing the payable total to ₹1,300. Indian business travellers should note that Japan has simultaneously scrapped transit visas; passengers on through-tickets must stay airside or buy a full visitor visa. The fee reprieve does not extend to work or residency permits, which follow the new global tariff. The Japanese government says additional revenue will fund language-training programmes and bolster overstay enforcement, but India’s locked-in rate highlights how legacy agreements can shield travellers from global cost inflation.
For Indian applicants keen to capitalise on this bargain, VisaHQ can streamline the entire Japan visa application process—offering step-by-step guidance, document checklists and courier options on one convenient platform. You can begin your application or explore requirements for other destinations at https://www.visahq.com/india/
Travel agents in Mumbai report a 40 % spike in Japan tour enquiries since the news broke; corporate travel managers see the destination becoming more attractive for incentive trips and client meetings. However, VFS Global’s service fee of ₹800 still applies, bringing the payable total to ₹1,300. Indian business travellers should note that Japan has simultaneously scrapped transit visas; passengers on through-tickets must stay airside or buy a full visitor visa. The fee reprieve does not extend to work or residency permits, which follow the new global tariff. The Japanese government says additional revenue will fund language-training programmes and bolster overstay enforcement, but India’s locked-in rate highlights how legacy agreements can shield travellers from global cost inflation.
