Japan will impose higher visa fees for foreign residents

The reform also touches tourist visas, which today cost 3,000 yen (16-17 euro) for a single entry and 6,000 yen (just over 30 euro) for multi-entry. The Foreign Ministry plans to bring them towards the levels of the US and the UK, where a short-term visa costs $185 (about 160 euro) and £127 (just over 140 euro) respectively. The final amounts have not yet been determined, but the direction indicated by government sources is for a substantial increase as early as 2026.

Parallel to the administrative change, there is also a significant political change in Tokyo. The agenda of Sanae Takaichi, in government since 21 October, does not coincide with a relaxation of migration policies. On the contrary, her leadership represents a tougher line, consistent with the nationalist current of the Liberal Democratic Party, which in recent years has seen the rise of more conservative and 'Japan First' sensibilities. Many analysts note that with Takaichi the discourse on immigration has become intertwined with that on security, social cohesion and costs for Japanese taxpayers, while the government has formed new parliamentary alliances that are more rigid than the traditional coalitions with the Komeito, historically more open on these issues.

The practical impact of the reform, if passed, will be very real for millions of people. Those living in Japan on work, study or family visas will face much higher costs to maintain their regular status. Families with multiple visa holders could end up paying tens of thousands of yen more with each renewal. Lower-paid workers, particularly those from South-East Asia or employed in the toughest sectors of the Japanese labour market, will face a significant economic hurdle in obtaining permanent residency, considered by many to be the true instrument of social and labour stability.

At the same time, the risk most feared by scholars is that of 'selection by income': a migratory system that tends to favour managers, researchers and workers sponsored by big companies, while penalising small entrepreneurs, the self-employed, students and all the most exposed categories. A scenario that could have repercussions on economic sectors that depend on foreign labour and even on the competitiveness of Japanese universities, at a time when other Asian countries are investing heavily to attract international students.

However, the picture remains evolving. To date, the Takaichi government has indicated the figures, the international benchmark and the political framework of the reform. It has anticipated the targets and destinations of the new revenues. It has already increased basic tariffs a first time, in April. He has indicated that he will include the increase in the economic package soon to be approved. But it has not yet passed the law that will make the new tariffs operational and has not published the final details of the exempted categories, the timelines for implementation or the modalities for the different types of visas.