Koreans stay visa-free while Japan’s China visa fees jump on July 1

• Checked: 2026-06-30 11:10 KST
• Primary sources: Embassy of Japan in China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

This is not just a diplomatic headline. It is a travel-cost shock with visible regional consequences. The Embassy of Japan in China says that from July 1, 2026, Japan visa fees for applications submitted in China will change to 715 yuan for a single-entry visa and 1,430 yuan for double-entry or multiple-entry visas.

At the same time, Japan’s foreign ministry still lists the Republic of Korea in its short-term visa exemption arrangements. That means a Korean traveler can still move straight to flight and hotel decisions, while many China-based travelers must now recalculate entry costs before the trip even starts. For ONEPRESS, that makes this a public-life signal about regional travel demand and price pressure, not just a consular update.

Why this matters

• It may change who competes for Japan-bound seats and rooms this summer.
• It may push some China-based leisure demand toward other short-haul destinations.
• It makes Korea’s visa-free advantage more visible in the same market.

What to check now

• Use the official filing date: the higher fees apply to applications accepted from July 1.
• Separate the official visa fee from extra agency handling charges.
• Watch whether Japan travel pricing shifts differently by origin market in July and August.

Sources

• Embassy of Japan in China fee notice
• MOFA Japan visa fee page
• MOFA short-term visa exemption list

In one line: Japan travel did not change equally for everyone. Korea still has a low-friction path, while China-based applicants face a much higher cost gate from July 1.