How much does a visa cost on average?

Visa costs vary widely depending on the destination country and visa type. Tourist visas typically range from free (visa-free or visa-on-arrival) to over $200 USD. Many countries offer e-visas between $20–80 USD.

Which countries offer free visas?

Many countries offer visa-free entry or free visas on arrival. The exact list depends on your passport nationality. Use our Visa Checker to see which countries you can visit without paying a visa fee.

What is an e-visa and how much does it cost?

An e-visa (electronic visa) is a digital visa you can apply for online without visiting an embassy. E-visa costs typically range from $20 to $100 USD depending on the destination country.

Are there additional costs beyond the visa fee?

Yes, there may be additional costs such as service fees, photo fees, courier fees, and travel insurance requirements. Some countries also charge airport or departure taxes. Always check the full cost before applying.

How accurate is the visa cost information?

Our visa cost data is regularly updated to reflect the most current fees. However, visa fees can change without notice, so we recommend verifying with the official embassy or consulate before applying.

How much is a Schengen visa in 2026?

A Schengen visa costs €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–12, while children under 6 are free. The fee is set by EU regulation and is identical across all 27 Schengen countries. It is non-refundable whether your application is approved or refused, and visa centres such as VFS Global or TLS Contact add a separate service charge on top.

How much does a US tourist visa (B1/B2) cost?

The US B1/B2 visitor visa costs $185, known as the MRV application fee. You pay it before your embassy interview and it is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The same $185 fee applies to most non-petition-based nonimmigrant categories such as B, C, D, F and J visas.

How much does a UK visitor visa cost?

A UK Standard Visitor visa costs about £135 for 6 months in 2026. Long-term visitor visas cost roughly £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, and £1,128 for 10 years. All UK visa fees are non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn.

Are visa fees refundable if my application is rejected?

No. Visa application fees are almost always non-refundable, whether your visa is approved, refused, or withdrawn. The fee pays for processing your application, not for a guaranteed approval. Confirm you meet the requirements before paying, because a refusal means losing the fee and reapplying.

Why do visa fees differ by nationality?

Visa fees often differ by nationality because of reciprocity — a country frequently charges your citizens the same amount your government charges its citizens. Bilateral agreements, EU rules, and visa-facilitation deals can also lower or waive fees for specific passports. That is why two travelers to the same destination can pay very different amounts.

What is the cheapest way to get a visa?

The cheapest options are visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, and e-visas. Many e-visas cost only $20–50 and are issued online within 24–72 hours, avoiding courier and agency fees. Checking whether your passport qualifies for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access before applying is the single biggest way to cut visa costs.

How do I pay the visa fee?

It depends on the country and channel. E-visas are paid online by card during the application. For embassy visas you usually pay at a visa application centre such as VFS Global, TLS Contact or BLS, or via a bank receipt — the US uses an MRV fee receipt paid before booking the interview. Keep the receipt, as you must present it at your appointment.

Do children pay the same visa fee as adults?

Often no. Many countries reduce or waive fees for minors — a Schengen visa is €45 for children aged 6–12 and free under 6, and several e-visa programs discount or exempt young children. Always check the child rate for your destination, as it can noticeably lower a family's total visa budget.

Visa Cost Calculator 2026: Fees for 83+ Countries

The headline visa fee is rarely the full price. A real visa application is made of several stacked charges — and the extras often add 30–80% on top. Here is exactly what goes into the total so you can budget with no surprises.

Country	Tourist Visa	E-Visa	Visa on Arrival	Processing
United States	$185	$21	—	30 days
United Kingdom	$115	$15	—	15 days
Germany	$90	—	—	15 days
France	$90	—	—	15 days
Australia	$190	$20	—	20 days
Canada	$100	$7	—	30 days
Japan	$30	—	—	5 days
United Arab Emirates	$90	$90	Free	3 days
Thailand	$40	$40	$35	5 days
India	$25	$25	$25	3 days
Turkey	$50	$50	$50	3 days
Singapore	$30	—	—	5 days

Government / consular fee

The core fee charged by the destination's embassy or immigration authority. Fixed per visa type — e.g. €90 for a Schengen short-stay, $185 for a US B-1/B-2. Usually non-refundable even if you are rejected.

Service / visa-center fee

When you apply through an outsourced centre like VFS Global or BLS International, they add a handling fee (typically $15–$45) on top of the government fee. Optional premium lounges and "prime time" slots cost extra.

Biometric fee

Fingerprints and a digital photo are mandatory for most Schengen, UK, US and Canada applications. Sometimes bundled into the service fee, sometimes a separate $10–$30 charge.

Photos & documents

Compliant passport photos ($5–$15), plus printing, translations or notarised copies for some consulates. Small individually, but they add up across a family application.

Travel insurance

Schengen and several other visas require medical cover of at least €30,000. Expect $20–$60 for a short trip — and the policy must cover your full stay or the visa can be refused.

Courier & reciprocity

Passport return by courier ($10–$25), and for some nationalities a one-off reciprocity fee (e.g. US visas for certain countries) that mirrors what your own country charges. Easy to forget when budgeting.

Cost component	Typical amount	Mandatory?	Notes
Government / consular fee	$0–$200+	Yes	Non-refundable; set per visa type
Service / visa-center fee	$15–$45	If using VFS/BLS	Avoided by applying directly where possible
Biometrics	$10–$30	Most embassy visas	Sometimes included in service fee
Photos & documents	$5–$20	Yes	Must meet exact spec or get rejected
Travel insurance	$20–$60	Schengen + others	Min €30,000 cover for Schengen
Courier / reciprocity	$10–$25 (+ varies)	Varies	Reciprocity depends on nationality

Global Visa Cost Calculator 2026

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