Use this fee guide to understand what travelers may pay when applying for Africa visas, eVisas, electronic travel authorizations, business visas, transit visas, extensions and private document-support services.
These are official processing charges set by a government immigration authority, embassy, consulate, eVisa portal or electronic authorization platform. They may be non-refundable because they pay for the review process rather than a guaranteed approval.
Private assistance fees are separate from official government fees. AfricaTourVisa may charge for document checking, application guidance, itinerary review, form preparation, file organization and traveler support.
Visa preparation often connects to other costs: passport photos, courier delivery, translation, hotel confirmations, insurance, airport pickup, return tickets, printing and exchange-rate or bank charges.
The table explains how different fees are normally described. It does not replace official country-specific fee schedules.
| Fee type | Who usually charges it | What it covers | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa fee | Immigration authority, embassy or eVisa portal | Short-term leisure, family visit or non-work travel processing | Nationality rules, stay limit, entries and refund policy |
| Business visa fee | Government visa platform or consular mission | Meetings, conferences, trade visits or business invitations | Invitation letter requirements, permitted activities and processing time |
| Transit visa fee | Immigration authority or airport/online platform | Short airport or land-border transit where a visa is required | Transit duration, airport-change rules and whether leaving the transit area is allowed |
| eTA or travel authorization fee | Official electronic authorization system | Pre-travel screening before airline boarding or arrival | Approved status before travel, processing time and per-traveler requirement |
| Service support fee | Private travel or visa-support provider | Document checks, application support, itinerary review or traveler guidance | Whether government fees are included or separate |
| Payment or bank fee | Payment processor, bank, card issuer or exchange provider | Card processing, exchange spread, transfer fees or currency conversion | Total amount charged in your billing currency |
Kenya’s official eTA FAQ says normal eTA fees start at USD 30 and expedited service adds USD 100, while its official eTA site states travelers must submit information before departure. Tanzania’s official eVisa guidelines list ordinary visa fees at USD 50, multiple-entry visa at USD 100, business visa at USD 250 and transit visa at USD 30. Rwanda’s immigration guidance notes that the East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 100 and that certain AU, Commonwealth and La Francophonie visitors may receive waived fees for 30-day visits.
These examples show why a fee page should never promise one fixed Africa-wide price. Each destination uses its own categories, exemptions and payment rules.
Confirm that the website is official or that the service provider is clearly private. Check the URL spelling, payment currency, card compatibility, refund policy and whether the platform sends an application reference immediately after payment.
Some missions require bank slips, money orders, appointment receipts or local-currency payments. Bring printed documents and confirm whether phones, laptops, large bags or sealed envelopes are allowed inside.
Where payment at entry is available, rules may require clean banknotes, card payment or pre-registration. Travelers should verify arrival-payment options before boarding because airlines may deny travel without required pre-approval.
Fee planning is easier when the visa route, transport, accommodation and insurance plan are aligned.
These answers explain fee logic, but final prices must always be checked with the official authority for the destination country.
No. Visa fees can depend on nationality, passport type, destination country, visa category, number of entries, age, reciprocity rules and whether the application is made online, at an embassy or through a special approval route.
A government fee is charged by the immigration authority, embassy, consulate or official platform. A service fee is charged by a private support provider for document review, guidance, form preparation, itinerary checks or application support.
Many official visa and eTA systems treat fees as processing fees, not approval fees. This means fees may be non-refundable after submission even if the application is refused, withdrawn or delayed.
Yes. Immigration authorities may update fees, payment methods, categories or taxes. Always confirm the fee on the official government portal before paying.
It depends on the destination and application route. Some portals accept international cards, some embassies require bank payments or local currency, and some border processes may require clean cash notes.
No. AfricaTourVisa is a private travel and visa-support service. Government fees are set by the relevant immigration authority, embassy, consulate or official platform.
Possible extra costs include payment gateway fees, biometric appointments, courier delivery, translation, passport photos, travel insurance, airport transfer, hotel booking confirmation, document printing and currency-conversion charges.
Compare the official government fee with any private service fee before paying. Use official portals for final fee verification and make sure any support provider clearly separates government charges from assistance charges.
