The Real Cost of a Visa for Indians in 2026: The Itemised Bill Nobody Shows You
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026 · Verified against current VFS Global India fees
The fee says one number. You pay three times more. Here's the itemised receipt for a UK, US, Canada and Schengen visa in 2026 — every hidden cost, line by line.
The fee says one number. You pay three times more.
After the April 2026 hikes, here is the itemised receipt nobody shows you — every hidden cost of a UK, US, Canada or Schengen visa, line by line.
Rohan saw "£558" on the UK student visa page and felt relieved — about ₹60,000, he thought, manageable. Three weeks later, his card had been charged more than ₹2 lakh. He wasn't cheated. He just didn't know what every Indian learns the hard way: the visa fee is only the first line on a much longer bill.
Fees rose across the US, UK, Canada and Europe in April 2026. So let's tear off the full receipt and read it together — because the "sticker price" and the real price are two very different numbers.
The real receipt: a UK student visa
Here's what Rohan actually paid — the bill broken into every line. This is why the sticker price lies:
The IHS is the part that shocks everyone.
See the trap? The £558 "fee" was real — but the health surcharge (IHS), charged per year of study, dwarfs it. For a two-year course, that one line alone crosses ₹2 lakh. Miss it in your planning and you get a very nasty surprise at the worst moment.
The 3 fees nobody separates for you
Every visa bill is really three different fees going to three different places. Knowing this stops the confusion — and stops anyone overcharging you:
Government
Paid to the country. The actual visa fee (and IHS for the UK). Non-refundable.
VFS
Paid to the centre that collects your file and biometrics. Separate charge.
Consultant
For help filing (our fee). We show it openly — no hiding it inside the others.
Government fees by country (2026)
The approximate government fee for popular destinations after the April hikes. Remember — VFS and biometrics sit on top of these:
| Visa | Govt fee (approx) | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| UK Visitor | £135 · ~₹14,500 | + VFS |
| UK Student | £558 · ~₹60,000 | + IHS ~£1,035/yr |
| USA Visitor (B1/B2) | $185 · ~₹16,000 | MRV fee |
| Canada Visitor | ~₹16,000 | incl. biometrics |
| Canada Study | ~₹20,000 | + proof of funds |
| Schengen | €90 · ~₹8,200 | + VFS + insurance |
| Australia Visitor (600) | ~₹11,000 | AUD ~195 |
⚠ The cruel line: it's non-refundable
Here's the part that hurts most. If your visa is refused, none of it comes back — not the government fee, not the VFS charge. The money is simply gone, and you're left with a refusal stamp too. A weak application doesn't just fail; it burns your cash.
One honest point about GST
Government and embassy fees carry no GST. The 18% GST applies only to a consultant's service fee. So if anyone adds "GST" on top of your government visa fee, ask why. We keep the three fees clearly separated for you — no blurred lines.
Don't burn your fee on a guess.
Tell us your country and visa. A licensed consultant will lay out your exact, all-in cost — clearly, before you pay a rupee to anyone.
Quick questions
Is the visa fee refundable if refused?
No. Government fees are non-refundable, even on refusal. That's why getting the file right the first time matters.
What is the UK IHS?
A UK health fee of about £1,035 per year, paid on long stays. Separate from the visa fee — and the line that shocks most families.
Is the VFS fee part of the visa fee?
No. It's separate. You pay the government fee plus VFS, biometrics, and sometimes courier.
Do I pay GST on government fees?
No. Government fees have no GST. The 18% GST applies only to a consultant's service fee.
Need help?
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Documents, VFS slots, embassy filing — by a licensed consultant.
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Written by
Sherbir Singh GrewalDirector, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd · B.Tech, Information Technology (2007)
Sherbir Singh Grewal supports applicants across visa-file preparation, document organisation and case coordination. His approach is practical: understand the applicant's real situation first, then build the documents around a consistent, believable story.
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