High prices of VISAS to poor countries...
Jun 18, 2007 | 7:02 am
#1
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High prices of VISAS to poor countries...
I wanted to go from Thailand to India for a stay there of about 4 days. The cost of an Indian visa is $120 PLUS some extra fees, mailing, etc.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
Jun 18, 2007 | 7:27 am
#2
Join Date: May 2007
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You do realize that it's about the same to get a US visa for nationals of many countries? And to add insult to injury, for a US visa that's just an "application" fee, ie, they charge that just to look at your paperwork. You may very well pay the fee and then get denied.
I can most definitely understand the principle of reciprocity.
Jun 18, 2007 | 7:30 am
#3
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Jun 18, 2007 | 9:28 am
#5
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The above posts are correct-many foreign countries' fees mirror the fees charged by the US. For example, Chile has a fee that was exactly equal in price and term to the fee Chileans are charged for a US Visa.
This is really just a step up from all the cities that tax rental cars at the airport-not many of those renters vote locally.
While I'm a big believer in the elasticty of pricing, I doubt anyone will change their mind about a trip to India because of this fee.
This is really just a step up from all the cities that tax rental cars at the airport-not many of those renters vote locally.
While I'm a big believer in the elasticty of pricing, I doubt anyone will change their mind about a trip to India because of this fee.
Jun 18, 2007 | 9:46 am
#6
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I wanted to go from Thailand to India for a stay there of about 4 days. The cost of an Indian visa is $120 PLUS some extra fees, mailing, etc.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
Well, just as there are people that aren't willing to pay the visa fee to go to India, Chile, Brazil, etc (where they charge USD 100), there are probably more foreign nationals that aren't willing to pay the $100.00 application fee plus security measures to enter the US.
I think it's appropriate for them to charge.
And for someone who comes from a rich country such as USA, $100.00 shouldn't be a problem.
Jun 18, 2007 | 9:52 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
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If you're spending up to $400 per day in India and you're concerned about a $120USD visa fee (which isn't out of line with what the U.S. and other countries charge), you ought to re-think your travels.
Jun 18, 2007 | 10:11 am
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I suppose the theory is that the visa cost funds the cost of the staff who have to adminsister it
Having been to india, i'm always surprised at
(a) The amount of paperwork you have to fill in to do anythung (including going to some of their museums
(b) The amount of people they seem to employ administering all the paperwork
(c) The high price of luxury (5* taxes in some of the hotels) for a country which people perveive as cheap - I recall 10 years ago paying 30 for a simple 2 course meal in my hotel.
Having been to india, i'm always surprised at
(a) The amount of paperwork you have to fill in to do anythung (including going to some of their museums
(b) The amount of people they seem to employ administering all the paperwork
(c) The high price of luxury (5* taxes in some of the hotels) for a country which people perveive as cheap - I recall 10 years ago paying 30 for a simple 2 course meal in my hotel.
Jun 18, 2007 | 10:23 am
#10
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India has a higher per-capita GDP than most of its neighbors; maybe you can get a better deal just over the border. 
I'm not sure of visa prices across all the Least Developed Countries (which make India look wealthy), but the one I've been to (Uganda) only charges $30 for a visa, and it's available upon landing at the airport, no advance paperwork required.
I'm not sure of visa prices across all the Least Developed Countries (which make India look wealthy), but the one I've been to (Uganda) only charges $30 for a visa, and it's available upon landing at the airport, no advance paperwork required.
Jun 18, 2007 | 11:49 am
#11
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* Diversity Visa Lottery application fee $335.00 (per person applying as a result of the lottery program), surcharge fee: $45.00 and special additonal surcharge fee $375.00
Jun 18, 2007 | 2:06 pm
#12
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http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/required_documents.html
Jun 18, 2007 | 2:19 pm
#13
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As it is India's tourist infrastructure is busting at the seams due to the high level of demand from tourists and limited accomodations at quality establishments, increasingly even in play during the bad weather season. This is probably why the Indian tourist industry isn't as focused on reduction of visa fees as it is in other things getting done by the Government of India.
Jun 19, 2007 | 7:21 pm
#14
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Heard of reciprocity? US charges exorbitant fees so do many other countries to US citizens. I can't recall the exact cost of my visa for India but sure was a lot less than US$120.
Jun 20, 2007 | 11:42 am
#15
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I wanted to go from Thailand to India for a stay there of about 4 days. The cost of an Indian visa is $120 PLUS some extra fees, mailing, etc.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
I can't think of anything so stupid in my life. The visa fees are so high, that they will discourage tourists from going. If a typical tourist that goes there on a short stay spends say $100 to $400 per day for hotel, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc., that's a lot of money that won't get into the Indian economy... I won't go. I'll go to Malaysia instead... they will get my money.
