"China Strikes Back With Sharp Visa Fee Hike for Japanese Nationals"

Fee Hike to Take Effect from September 14
"Based on Reciprocity"

Amid growing speculation that Japan's recent sharp increase in visa fees was aimed at Chinese tourists, China has responded with a tit-for-tat move by significantly raising visa fees for Japanese nationals.

According to Yonhap News and local Chinese media outlets on September 12, the Chinese Embassy in Japan announced that it will raise visa issuance fees for Japanese citizens starting on September 14. As a result, the single-entry visa fee will rise from 2,250 yen (about 19,700 won) to 16,750 yen (about 146,300 won), and the multiple-entry visa fee will jump from 7,500 yen (about 65,500 won) to 52,500 yen (about 439,000 won), representing roughly a seven-fold increase for both types of visas. Additionally, applicants must pay an extra 5,000 yen fee (about 43,700 won) to the Chinese visa application center. The embassy clarified that there will be no change to the visa fees for citizens of third countries.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning explained at a regular press briefing the previous day that "this adjustment is a reciprocal response." Earlier, the Japanese government had increased its single-entry visa fee from 3,000 yen (about 26,200 won) to 15,000 yen (about 131,000 won), and its multiple-entry visa fee from 6,000 yen (about 52,400 won) to 30,000 yen (about 262,100 won) from July 2026, representing a five-fold increase in each case.

Because Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and other countries have mutual visa waiver agreements with Japan, which allow visa-free stays of up to 90 days, there has been speculation that Japan’s visa fee hikes were specifically aimed at Chinese tourists, who are required to obtain visas before visiting Japan. In 2025, out of the total number of visas issued, 5.71 million were granted to Chinese nationals, accounting for about 73% of all issuances.

Currently, the Chinese government allows Japanese citizens to enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days as a short-term exemption. However, if this policy is not extended beyond its expiration date of December 31 this year, Japanese travelers will be burdened by the significantly increased visa fees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.