Japan says temporary visitor visas remain free for Filipinos despite visa fee hike

Temporary visitor visas for Filipinos remain “gratis” or free of charge, the Japanese embassy in Manila announced on Thursday.

The embassy’s announcement came in the wake of the Japanese government’s announcement that single-entry visa fees for foreign nationals will increase fivefold, from 3,000 yen (about P1,170) to 15,000 yen (around P5,850), for applications filed starting July 1.

“Please note that a temporary visitor visa (for a stay of a maximum of 90 days) for a Philippine national remains gratis,” the embassy announced on its website and on Facebook.

The Japanese embassy in Manila also announced the “Cabinet Order on Fees Collected by Consular Officers,” which sets forth visa fees, has been amended and comes into effect on July 1, 2026.

“For visa applications accepted at overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date, the fee, converted into Japanese yen, will be approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and approximately 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa,” the embassy said.

“As a general rule, payment shall be made in the local currency of the country (region) where the Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan issuing the visa is located,” it added.

The embassy said fees may not be required or the amount may differ, “depending on the purpose of your visit and your nationality.”

“If a visa is not issued, no visa fee will be charged. Please note that if you apply through an agency approved by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan, a separate handling fee charged by the agency will apply, in addition to the visa fee in the event a visa is issued,” the Japanese embassy said. –NB, GMA News