What changed, and what is about to

Every change below is taken from an official source cited in the country guide. A rule that changed after you started planning is one of the most common reasons a visa is refused.

Already in force

1 July 2026 · fees · Japan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised visa fees; a single-entry visa now costs about JPY 15,000.
April 2026 · work · Japan

Japanese language schools must check every three months where each student works and for how many hours.
April 2026 · language · Japan

Language school applicants must prove Japanese with a formal test certificate or interview, not just 150 hours of study.