How much does it cost to apply for a visa?

How much does it cost to apply for a visa?

With the recovery of global tourism and business activities, visa processing costs have become the focus of many people's attention. The fees for different countries and types of visas vary greatly, and the policy may be adjusted at any time. This article has compiled hot topics and content in the past 10 days to provide you with the latest visa fee reference.

1. Overview of popular visa types and fees

The following is a summary of visa fees for popular countries recently (data as of October 2023):

2. Factors affecting visa fees

1.Visa type: Visa fees for different purposes such as tourism, business, study abroad, etc. are different. For example, the cost of a U.S. student visa (F1) is about US$160 (approximately RMB 1,160), which is higher than that of a tourist visa.

2.Processing method: Self-application through official channels usually costs less, while agencies will charge additional service fees. For example, the official fee for a single-entry tourist visa to Japan is 350 yuan, but the agency may charge an additional 200-300 yuan service fee.

3.expedited service: Some countries provide expedited processing, and the fee may be doubled. If the British ordinary visa is issued in 5 working days, an additional payment of about 2,000 yuan will be required.

3. Recent changes in visa policies

1.Thailand visa-free policy: Starting from September 2023, Thailand will implement a five-month visa exemption for Chinese tourists (from September 25, 2023 to February 29, 2024), saving visa-on-arrival fees.

2.US visa fees increase: Starting from May 30, 2023, the U.S. non-immigrant visa fee will increase from US$160 to US$185 (approximately RMB 1,340).

3.EU ETIAS system: Starting from 2024, Chinese tourists who want to enter the Schengen area without a visa need to apply for an ETIAS electronic permit in advance, and the fee is 7 euros (about 55 yuan).

4. How to save visa fees?

1.Plan ahead: Avoid expedited fees and allow enough time to prepare materials.

2.Choose official channels: Apply directly through the embassy or official website to reduce agency fees.

3.Pay attention to preferential policies: Some countries have introduced visa fee exemptions for Chinese citizens, such as Kazakhstan’s 72-hour transit visa exemption.

5. Summary

Visa fees vary greatly depending on the country, type and service. It is recommended to check official information or consult professional institutions in advance. Among recent popular destinations, Thailand’s visa-free policy is the most cost-effective, while fees in European and American countries are higher and may be adjusted. Properly planning your itinerary and visa application time can effectively control costs.

For more detailed data, please refer to the official websites of embassies and consulates of various countries in China or the authoritative visa service platform.