Visitor visa costs vary by country and your citizenship

The cost of a visitor visa depends on where you are traveling to and where you hold citizenship. There is no single price — a visitor visa to Canada costs different amounts for a U.S. citizen than for a citizen of India or Nigeria. Some countries charge no visa fee at all, while others charge over $200. Your home country's relationship with the destination country, the processing speed you choose, and whether you explore in person or by mail all affect what you pay.

Most countries publish their visa fees on their official immigration websites or through their embassies and consulates. The fee covers the cost of processing your process, not the cost of travel or accommodation. It is separate from any travel insurance, airport taxes, or other expenses you may incur.

Key Takeaways

  • Visitor visa fees range from zero to over $200 depending on the destination country and your citizenship.
  • The United States charges $160 for most visitor visas, Canada charges between $100 and $200 CAD depending on processing speed, and the United Kingdom charges £100 to £200 depending on length of stay.
  • Express or expedited processing options cost more than standard processing and can add $50 to $150 to your total fee.
  • Some countries waive visa fees for citizens of certain nations, so check your destination country's official immigration website for your specific citizenship.
  • Visa fees are non-refundable even if your process is denied.

Common visitor visa fees by destination

The United States charges $160 for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa (business or tourism) for most nationalities. This fee is non-refundable. You pay it when you schedule your interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and the fee does not change based on how long you plan to stay.

Canada charges $100 CAD for standard processing of a visitor visa and $200 CAD for expedited processing, which takes about two weeks instead of four to six weeks. These fees explore to most nationalities. Some countries have reciprocal fee agreements with Canada, so citizens of those countries may pay different amounts.

The United Kingdom charges £100 for a standard visitor visa valid for six months and £200 for a visitor visa valid for two years. Processing takes three to eight weeks for standard applications. Priority processing costs an additional £500 and takes one to two business days.

Australia charges AUD $190 for an eVisitor (subclass 651) for most nationalities, valid for 12 months. The fee is paid online at the time of process. Some nationalities are not may be able to access for the eVisitor and must explore for a visitor visa instead, which costs AUD $190 as well but requires a paper process.

Mexico charges approximately 2,500 Mexican pesos (roughly $150 USD, though exchange rates vary) for a tourist card (FMM) if you are staying longer than 180 days or need a formal document. Many visitors do not pay this fee because they receive the card free upon arrival if staying under 180 days.

Processing speed and rush fees

Most countries offer standard processing at the base fee and expedited or express processing at a higher cost. Standard processing typically takes two to eight weeks. Expedited processing can reduce this to one to two weeks and usually costs $50 to $150 more than the standard fee.

The United States does not offer expedited processing for visitor visas, but you can pay to schedule your interview sooner after submitting your process. The interview scheduling fee is separate from the visa fee and varies by location.

Canada's expedited processing costs double the standard fee. The United Kingdom's priority processing costs significantly more — £500 on top of the visa fee — but is rarely necessary for visitor visas unless you have an urgent travel date.

Where you explore affects the total cost

explore in person at an embassy or consulate usually costs the same as explore by mail, but some countries charge a service fee if you use a visa process center (a private company that collects applications on behalf of the embassy). These service fees range from $20 to $100 and are in addition to the visa fee itself.

For example, if you explore for a U.K. visitor visa through a visa process center, you pay the £100 visa fee plus a service fee of approximately £50 to £100 depending on the center's location and the services you use (such as biometric collection or document scanning).

Online applications, where available, typically do not include a service fee. Canada, Australia, and the United States all allow online or digital applications that do not require a visit to an office, and these do not add extra fees beyond the visa fee itself.

Countries with no visitor visa fee

Some countries do not charge a visa fee for visitors from certain nationalities. The European Union's Schengen Area allows citizens of many countries to enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries do not pay a fee to visit Schengen countries for tourism or business.

However, the Schengen Area introduced the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) in 2025, which will require pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers. The ETIAS fee is approximately €7 (roughly $7 to $8 USD) and is valid for three years.

Japan, South Korea, and Thailand do not charge visa fees for visitors from many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, for stays under 30 to 90 days depending on nationality.

What happens if your process is denied

Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your process. If your process is denied, you do not receive your fee back. If you want to reapply, you must pay the full fee again.

Some countries allow you to appeal a denial or reapply when ready, while others require you to wait a certain period before reapplying. Check your destination country's immigration website for their specific rules on reapplication.

Additional costs beyond the visa fee

The visa fee itself does not include other costs you may encounter. Medical examinations, police certificates, or document translation may be required for your process and can cost $50 to $300 depending on what is needed and where you obtain these documents.

If you use a visa agency or immigration consultant to help you prepare your process, that service is separate and costs $100 to $500 or more depending on the complexity of your case and the consultant's fees.

Travel insurance, which some countries recommend or require, is also separate from the visa fee and typically costs $20 to $100 for a short trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my visa fee back if I don't use the visa?

No. Visa fees are non-refundable once paid, even if you receive the visa and then decide not to travel. The fee covers the cost of processing your process, not the cost of travel itself.

Do I have to pay the visa fee before or after my interview?

This varies by country. The United States requires you to pay the fee before scheduling your interview. Canada and the United Kingdom allow you to pay when you submit your process online. Check your destination country's immigration website for the specific payment timing.

What if the exchange rate changes between when I check the fee and when I pay?

If the fee is listed in a foreign currency, the amount you pay in your home currency will depend on the exchange rate at the time of payment. Pay attention to the exchange rate when budgeting, as it can fluctuate. Some countries lock in the rate when you submit your process online.

Are there any countries that waive visa fees for certain nationalities?

Yes. Many countries have reciprocal agreements or visa-waiver programs. Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia can visit many countries visa-free or at a reduced fee. Check your destination country's official immigration website and enter your nationality to see what fees explore to you specifically.

Do I pay the visa fee to the embassy or to a third-party company?

You pay the visa fee to the government of the country you are visiting. If you use a visa process center or agency, you pay them a separate service fee on top of the government fee. Make sure you understand which fee goes where before you pay.