Visa Cost Calculator

Visa application costs are made up of multiple components, each charged by different entities at different stages of the process:

Government filing fees — The primary application fee charged by the immigration authority (USCIS, IRCC, UK Home Office, or Australian Department of Home Affairs). This is the largest and most predictable cost component. Our calculator focuses on these fees because they are published on official schedules and apply to everyone.

Biometrics fees — Many countries charge a separate fee for fingerprinting and photo collection. The US charges $85, Canada charges $85 CAD, and the UK includes biometrics in the visa application centre appointment.

Medical exam fees — Most immigrant visas and some non-immigrant visas require a medical examination by a designated physician. Costs range from $200–$500 depending on the country and required vaccinations.

Document preparation — Translation, notarization, credential evaluation, and document courier services add variable costs depending on your specific requirements.

Premium processing — For eligible US visa petitions (H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others), USCIS offers premium processing for $2,965, which guarantees an initial response within 15 business days.

Total visa application costs vary enormously by category, from under $200 for a simple tourist visa to over $50,000 for investor visas. Here are typical ranges:

Visitor visas — $20–$315 in government fees. The US B-1/B-2 costs $185, Canada's TRV costs $100 CAD, Australia's eVisitor is free, and the UK Standard Visitor visa costs £127. These are the simplest and least expensive visa categories.

Student visas — $200–$2,500 in government fees, plus tuition deposits and proof of funds. The US F-1 costs $535 (MRV + SEVIS), Canada's study permit costs $235 CAD, Australia's subclass 500 costs $2,000 AUD, and the UK Student visa costs £524.

Work visas — $800–$5,000+ in government fees, often paid by the employer. The US H-1B costs $1,825–$4,790 depending on additional fees, the UK Skilled Worker costs £769–£1,519, and Australia's subclass 482 costs $3,210 AUD plus employer levies.

Family visas — $700–$10,000+ in government fees. The US K-1 costs $760, Canadian spousal sponsorship costs $1,695 CAD, the UK spouse visa costs £1,938, and Australian partner visas cost $9,365 AUD — one of the most expensive family visa categories in the world.

Investor/business visas — $5,000–$50,000+ in government fees, plus the investment capital itself. The US EB-5 filing fee is $3,765 plus a separate $1,000 EB-5 Integrity Act fee (verified 2026-05-14), and the minimum investment is $800,000–$1,050,000.

Government fees are only part of the total cost. Many applicants are surprised by additional expenses that are not included in official fee schedules:

• Attorney fees — Immigration lawyers typically charge $2,000–$15,000+ depending on case complexity. Simple applications may not require an attorney, but complex employment-based or investment visas usually benefit from professional guidance.
• Document translations — Certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational transcripts, and other documents can cost $25–$100 per page.
• Credential evaluations — Organizations like WES, ECE, or NACES members charge $100–$300 to evaluate foreign education credentials for equivalency.
• Language tests — IELTS ($250–$350), TOEFL ($200–$310), CELPIP ($280–$350 CAD), or PTE ($200–$300) are required for many Canadian, UK, and Australian visas.
• Medical exams — Required by designated physicians, typically $200–$500 including required vaccinations.
• Courier and postage — Sending original documents internationally via tracked services can cost $50–$150 per shipment.
• Travel to consulates or visa centres — If you don't live near an embassy, travel and accommodation for interviews or biometrics appointments add to the cost.
• Visa application centre (VAC) service fees — Some countries route applications through third-party VACs (VFS Global, TLScontact) that charge additional service fees.

For a complete picture of what your visa will actually cost, try the full VisaMind plan which includes both government fees and estimated ancillary costs.

Visa fees differ significantly between countries — and even between visa categories within the same country — for several reasons:

Visa category complexity — Visas that require more government resources to adjudicate (employment-based immigrant visas, investor visas) cost more than straightforward non-immigrant visas (tourist, transit). The US EB-5 filing fee is $3,765 (plus a separate $1,000 Integrity Act fee) while a B-1/B-2 tourist visa costs $185.

Reciprocity agreements — Some visa fees are based on reciprocity — the US charges citizens of certain countries higher or lower fees based on what that country charges US citizens. This is why the MRV fee varies by nationality for some visa types.

Cost recovery models — Different countries use different models for funding immigration services. The UK and Australia operate primarily on a cost-recovery basis (fees cover processing costs), while the US uses a mix of appropriated funds and fee revenue.

Health surcharges — The UK charges an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year on top of the visa fee, giving applicants access to NHS services. Australia does not charge a health surcharge but requires private health insurance. These add-ons significantly affect total costs.

Employer vs. applicant responsibility — In some countries and visa categories, the employer pays most of the fees (US H-1B employer fees, Australian Skilling Australians Fund levy). In others, the applicant bears the full cost (most family and visitor visas).