New Visa Fee Changes in the United States and Japan
美國與日本簽證費用新變動
Introduction
Starting July 1, the United States and Japan will introduce new visa fee structures and faster processing options for travelers.
從7月1日起，美國與日本將為旅客推出新的簽證費用結構及更快速的處理選項。
Main Body
The United States Department of State is launching a pilot program from July 1 to December 31 to offer faster interview scheduling for B1 and B2 visa applicants. This premium service costs an extra $750 on top of the standard $185 fee, making the total $935. Applicants must pay this non-refundable fee within five to ten minutes, or they will lose their appointment. Officials emphasized that this service is designed to reduce delays caused by strict security checks, such as social media reviews. It is expected that over 25,000 travelers will use this service annually, generating about $19.3 million in revenue.
美國國務院將於7月1日至12月31日啟動一項試行計畫，為B1及B2簽證申請者提供更快速的面試預約。這項頂級服務在標準的185美元費用之外需額外支付750美元，總計為935美元。申請者必須在五至十分鐘內支付這筆不可退款的費用，否則將失去預約。官員強調，此服務旨在減少因嚴格安全檢查（如社交媒體審查）而造成的延遲。預計每年將有超過25,000名旅客使用此服務，產生約1,930萬美元的收入。
At the same time, the Japanese government has approved its first visa fee increase since 1978. From July 1, single-entry visas will rise from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000, and multiple-entry visas will increase from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi asserted that these changes are necessary due to inflation and the falling value of the yen. These new costs affect travelers from more than 100 countries, although citizens from about 70 nations, including the U.S., remain exempt. Furthermore, the government has increased fees for residency and permanent residency applications. Japan plans to use these funds to support its record 4.13 million foreign residents and improve language programs.
與此同時，日本政府批准了自1978年以來首次的簽證費用調漲。從7月1日起，單次入境簽證將從3,000日圓調漲至15,000日圓，多次入境簽證則從6,000日圓調漲至30,000日圓。外相茂木敏充（Toshimitsu Motegi）斷言，由於通貨膨脹和日圓貶值，這些變動是必要的。新費用將影響100多個國家的旅客，儘管包括美國在內的大約70個國家的公民仍維持豁免。此外，政府也提高了居留和永久居留申請的費用。日本計劃將這些資金用於支持創紀錄的413萬名外籍居民並改善語言計畫。
Conclusion
Both countries are updating their immigration fees to cover administrative costs and improve the efficiency of their processing systems.
兩國均在更新其移民費用，以支付行政成本並提高處理系統的效率。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 Moving Beyond 'Basic' Sentences
An A2 student says: "The fees are higher because of inflation."
A B2 student says: "These changes are necessary due to inflation."
The Magic Phrase: "Due to" In the text, we see "necessary due to inflation". This is your ticket to B2. Instead of always using "because" (which is a connector), "due to" allows you to link a result directly to a cause using a noun.
How to shift your gear:
- A2 Style: I was late because it rained. Because + Subject + Verb
- B2 Style: I was late due to the rain. Due to + Noun/Noun Phrase
🧠 The "Advanced Logic" Upgrade
Look at how the text connects ideas. It doesn't just list facts; it uses Transition Signals to guide the reader.
| The Word | What it does | Why it's B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Furthermore | Adds more information | It sounds professional and structured, unlike "and" or "also." |
| Although | Shows a contrast | It allows you to put two opposing ideas in one elegant sentence. |
| Remain | Describes a state | Instead of saying "are still," using remain (e.g., remain exempt) adds academic precision. |
💡 Pro Tip: To sound more fluent, stop starting every sentence with the subject. Try starting with a contrast: "Although the fees are rising, some countries are still exempt."