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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Passport fees
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Leo Enticknap
Film God
Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-16-2006 05:14 PM
I just renewed mine at a cost of £51 ($89). 'Where does the money go?' occurred to me, too. I was renewing an existing passport - which means that if you send in your old one, that bypasses all the ID checks and whatnot, thereby making the administration costs virtually zero, I'd have thought. So the only cost to them is printing the document and shipping it. My guess is that the research and development costs of the new biometric passports, which the UK is supposed to be rolling out over the next year (though, as with anything the UK government does which involves any new technology, don't hold your breath!) account for a lot of that money. But it still struck me as a ripoff.
Thankfully I've never had to get any visas - citizens of a European Union country don't need them to visit any other EU country, and the only non-EU country I visit regularly is the United States, which British citizens are eligible to enter under the Visa Waiver Scheme. From what I've heard from friends and relatives about visas (both the hassle of getting one and what it costs), I'd be reluctant to visit any country which required me to get one.
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Stephen Furley
Film God
Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002
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posted 06-16-2006 06:29 PM
Richard, the visa would be nothing to do with your own country; It would be issued by the country you are visiting, and they would set the charge for it. Where are you going, by the way?
I've only had to get a Visa once; that was for Russia, in 1974. We, my mother and I, had to get them very quickly, but they were posted to us just a couple of days after we handed the forms in, in person. I don't rmember how much they cost, but I don't think it was very much.
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Tim Rectanus
Film Handler
Posts: 51
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 06-16-2006 07:30 PM
I don't know anything about Working VISAs that you can't use at a register but I got a new passport today, as a matter of fact, and that $195 seems really high. I got a replacement for one that I lost and even with the Expedited 5-7 day fee included, it cost $127. Plus $30 for the post office to process.
I just had a quick look and came across this page. Additional Visa Pages
quote:
Application for Additional Visa Pages: DS-4085
This form should only be used to add visa pages to a previously issued, currently valid U.S. passport.
There is no charge for routine mail service, which is receipt of your passport with added pages within 6 weeks from the date you mail it. For Expedited Service via mail, there is a $60 fee per application, plus two-way overnight delivery for receipt within 2 weeks. For Expedited Service at a Regional Passport Agency, there is a $60.00 fee per application.
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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 06-16-2006 07:51 PM
Richard, most of the visa charges are a direct result of the U.S. raising their rates for our visas for other countries. In China's case it is just because they can. Plus they need revenue for their missions in L.A., S.F. and N.Y.C.
But thank your lucky stars you didn't tell them you wanted to go to Tibet, like I did. They don't issue individual visas for Tibet to Americans, but if you are with a tour, they will issue you a visa for $500 ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) If you want to visit Tibet and enter from the China side your $170 visa will suffice. They are loath to tell you that Tibet is different in China.
Most countries where the U.S. has dropped their visa requirement also grant American's reciprocal visa rights like the E.U. Canada, Mexico.
Then there are countries like Butan who are trying to limit American Tourist impact and charge a blanket $200 per day to the right to visit. About 3,000 Americans pony it up every year.
My Indian visa cost $60 and was good for 90-days from the date of issue. So I had to make sure to get it late enough to cover the trip.
For Nepal it was just show up at the border with a photograph and $5 for a "transit" visa good for 5-days. If I wanted to stay longer I would have had to visit their offices in the U.S. or India.
That reminds me, I need to renew my passport before they get all biometric next year. Not that I mind, but it's the principal of the thing. They'll be asking you to pee in a cup to pass the boarder next. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Belive it or not, it was all a lot simpler 100 years ago, just show up at the border and welcome to the new country.
1985 Berlin: Regan asks "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
20-years later George Bush is trying to build a triple wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
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