China Sharply Raises Visa Fees for Japanese Citizens Citing Reciprocity

China is drastically raising visa fees for Japanese travelers, hiking the cost of a single-entry visa by more than sevenfold in what Beijing described as a reciprocal measure.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan announced that the fee adjustments will take effect on the 14th. Under the new schedule, visa costs for Japanese citizens will range from 16,750 yen (about $110) to 50,250 yen ($330), up sharply from previously discounted rates that were originally slated to remain in effect through the end of 2026.

Steep Increases Across All Categories

Under the updated fee schedule, a single-entry visa will surge from 2,250 yen to 16,750 yen—a 7.4-fold increase. A double-entry visa will rise from 3,750 yen to 25,100 yen (about $165).

Multiple-entry visas will also see steep increases: a six-month multiple-entry visa will jump from 4,500 yen to 33,500 yen (about $220), while a one-year multiple-entry visa will increase from 7,500 yen to 50,250 yen.

Tit-for-Tat Adjustments

The adjustment follows a recent move by Tokyo to raise travel costs for Chinese citizens. Effective July 1, the Embassy of Japan in Beijing significantly increased visa processing fees for mainland Chinese applicants to 715 yuan (about $98) for single-entry visas and 1,430 yuan ($197) for double-entry visas.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), foreign visitors from roughly 80% of source markets can enter Japan visa-free. However, travelers from more than 120 countries and territories—including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines—still require entry visas.

Chinese nationals remain by far the largest group requiring Japanese visas, accounting for approximately 5.71 million issued visas, or about 73% of Japan’s total visa issuances.