Visa fees compared: what you actually pay in 2026
A side-by-side comparison of visa and authorisation fees worldwide, plus service charges, biometrics costs and the hidden expenses applications add.
Typical 2026 fees: Schengen €90, UK visitor visa about £127, US B1/B2 $185, Canada CAD 100 plus CAD 85 biometrics, Australia subclass 600 from AUD 210, India eVisa $25–$80 and Vietnam eVisa $25–$50. Authorisations are cheaper: ETIAS €20, UK ETA £16, ESTA $21, Canada eTA CAD 7.
The fee is not the total cost
Add the visa centre service charge (€20–€40), biometrics where charged separately, courier return, photos, certified translations, apostilles and insurance. A €90 Schengen visa realistically costs €150–€200 all-in, and none of it is refunded on refusal.
Where fees are rising
Authorisation programmes are new revenue lines and have already increased: ESTA moved to $21, ETIAS launches at €20 and the UK ETA at £16. Expect indexation rather than reductions, and budget per traveller including children where charged.
Discounts and exemptions
Schengen halves the fee for children 6–11 and waives it under 6, and visa facilitation agreements reduce it for certain nationalities. Students, researchers and family members of EU citizens are often exempt entirely.
Avoiding overpayment
Apply on official portals. Third-party eVisa and ETA sites routinely charge two to five times the government fee for the same submission, and their guarantees have no legal effect on the decision.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a visa cost in 2026?
From free authorisations for some nationalities to $185 for a US visitor visa. Schengen is €90, the UK about £127, Canada CAD 100 plus biometrics.
Are visa fees refundable if refused?
No. Application and service fees pay for the assessment regardless of outcome.
Why do agent sites charge more?
They add a markup on top of the government fee. Applying directly on the official portal costs only the official amount.