Japan Exempts Visa Fees for 63 Countries, Including Lesotho

Japan's government has officially released a list of 63 countries and regions whose nationals are exempt from paying visa application fees. This exemption applies only to the visa application fee itself, and nationals from these countries are still required to go through the standard visa application process.

The list includes countries from six continents, with only two African nations, Lesotho and Mauritius, represented. Notably, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa are not included, meaning their citizens must pay the standard visa fee.

Specific conditions apply to certain countries; for instance, Romanian nationals are eligible for temporary visits of up to 60 days, while Filipino nationals can stay for up to 90 days without a fee. The announcement emphasizes that exemption from the fee does not equate to visa-free entry into Japan.