How visa fees work

Visa application centre fees explained

Last checked 19 October 2026

Sometimes. A visa application centre may collect biometrics and documents for a government, but it does not decide your case ^{Source 1}. Schengen rules permit a service fee capped at half the €90 adult visa fee in most locations ^{Source 2}. Most UK centres offer a free appointment within five working days, though some locations charge £76.50 ^{Source 3}. Canada says biometrics appointments at its centres are free, apart from the government biometrics fee ^{Source 4,Source 5}.

Schengen usual service-fee ceiling: €45 under the Visa Code ^{Source 2}
Schengen exceptional ceiling: Normally €80 where no collecting or representing consulate exists ^{Source 2}
UK standard appointment: Free at most centres within five working days ^{Source 3}
UK charged standard appointment: £76.50 in some locations ^{Source 3}
Canada biometrics appointment: Free ^{Source 4}
Canada individual biometrics fee: CAN$85, checked 19 October 2026 ^{Source 5}

What an application centre does

An application centre is an official collection point working under a government contract. Canada says its centres collect biometrics, send passports securely and offer local-language support. It says the centres do not make visa decisions and cannot give visa advice ^{Source 1}.

The government remains responsible for deciding the application. A centre fee can pay for receiving documents, biometrics, transmission and return of a passport. Optional scanning, courier or premium appointment services may have separate prices ^{Source 1,Source 3}.

Schengen service fees

Article 17 of the Schengen Visa Code permits an external application centre to charge a service fee. The amount must be proportionate to its costs and must be written into the legal instrument between the state and the centre ^{Source 2}.

The usual maximum is half the standard adult visa fee. The standard fee was €90 on 19 October 2026, which makes the usual service-fee ceiling €45. In a country with no consulate collecting applications and no representation by another Schengen state, the fee may normally be as high as €80 ^{Source 2}.

The service fee can apply even if the applicant receives a visa-fee reduction or exemption. The official EU factsheet warns that unrelated intermediaries may add charges and do not improve the chance of receiving a visa ^{Source 6}.

Schengen charge	Amount on 19 October 2026	Rule
Adult visa fee	€90 ^{Source 2}	Article 16
Usual centre service-fee maximum	€45 ^{Source 2}	Half the adult fee
Exceptional centre maximum	Normally €80 ^{Source 2}	No collecting or representing consulate in the country

UK appointment fees

UK guidance says most visa application centres offer free appointments within five working days. In some locations a standard appointment costs £76.50. An applicant may travel to a centre with free appointments and pay the travel cost instead ^{Source 3}.

The same guidance says document scanning and other extras are optional. Paying for an optional service does not make an application more likely to succeed. The visa application fee and any immigration health surcharge are separate charges ^{Source 3}.

Canada appointments and biometrics

Canada says the appointment to give biometrics at a visa application centre is free and tells applicants not to pay anyone for an appointment. The government biometrics charge is separate. Its fee list showed CAN$85 for one person and a CAN$170 family maximum on 19 October 2026 ^{Source 4,Source 5}.

Canada's official centre finder says a centre may receive a passport only after the immigration department asks for it. Local passport transmission or courier services can differ by location, so check the government centre finder reached from your application ^{Source 1}.

How to avoid an unnecessary charge

Start on the immigration department or embassy website, not a search advertisement ^{Source 1,Source 3}^{Source 6}.
Separate the government application fee, mandatory centre charge and optional extras before paying ^{Source 2,Source 3}^{Source 5}.
Keep the receipt. The Schengen Visa Code requires a receipt for the visa fee ^{Source 2}.
Do not pay anyone for a Canada biometrics appointment. Canada states that the appointment itself is free ^{Source 4}.

Common questions

Does an application centre approve my visa?

No. Canada states that its centres do not decide applications and cannot give visa advice ^{Source 1}.

Can a Schengen centre charge more than €45?

In most places the ceiling is €45. It may normally reach €80 where the responsible state has no collecting consulate and is not represented by another state ^{Source 2}.

Do I need to buy document scanning or courier service?

UK guidance describes extra services such as scanning as optional ^{Source 3}. Check the official instructions for your location.

Is a Canada biometrics appointment free?

Yes. Canada says the appointment is free. The separate government biometrics fee was CAN$85 for one person on 19 October 2026 ^{Source 4,Source 5}.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.