China has sharply increased visa fees for Japanese citizens who need a visa to enter the country, with the new charges taking effect on September 14.
Under the new fee schedule, a single-entry visa now costs ¥16,750, compared with ¥2,250 previously. A double-entry visa costs ¥25,100, while six-month and one-year multiple-entry visas cost ¥33,500 and ¥50,250 respectively. The new rates are between about 6.7 and 7.4 times higher than the previous fees. (jp.china-embassy.gov.cn)
The Chinese Embassy in Japan said applications that had already been accepted before September 14 would continue to be charged at the old rates. The increase also does not apply to visa applications from citizens of third countries.
The higher charges come as China continues to maintain a separate visa-free arrangement for eligible Japanese travelers.
Japanese ordinary-passport holders can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days when travelling for purposes including business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges and transit. The current visa-free policy has been extended through December 31, 2026. Travelers whose plans do not fall within the permitted categories must still obtain a visa before entering China. (jp.china-embassy.gov.cn)
The increased visa charges therefore mainly affect Japanese citizens whose travel plans require a visa rather than those covered by the visa-free arrangement.
Applicants using the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Tokyo also face a separate service charge. The visa fee and application service fee are charged separately, meaning the total amount paid by an applicant can be higher than the government visa fee alone.
China had previously introduced reduced visa charges for Japanese applicants as part of temporary measures. The old rates included ¥2,250 for a single-entry visa, ¥3,750 for a double-entry visa, ¥4,500 for a six-month multiple-entry visa and ¥7,500 for a one-year multiple-entry visa.
The latest adjustment was announced by the Chinese Embassy in Japan on September 11. The embassy said the change was being made on the basis of reciprocity. (jp.china-embassy.gov.cn)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about the decision during a September 11 press briefing. She confirmed that the embassy had issued the notice and said the adjustment was based on the principle of reciprocity. (Chinese Foreign Ministry)
Japan has also changed its own visa fees. From July 1, Japanese authorities increased general visa charges, with fees for some applications reaching about ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa and ¥30,000 for a multiple-entry visa, although the amount can vary depending on nationality and other conditions.
The latest changes come amid continued adjustments to visa and entry policies by both China and Japan. For Japanese travelers heading to China, whether the higher charges apply will depend largely on the purpose and length of their planned stay.