What a visa agent costs in South Africa
Our Schengen service costs from R2,250 per person when there is time to book a normal appointment, and up to R4,950 per person for a last-minute application. That is our fee only. The €90 visa fee and the visa centre's service charge are paid separately, by you, directly to them.
Visa help is usually quoted only on request, which makes quotes hard to compare. Here is ours, and what sits on top of it.
Three separate costs
- The visa fee, set by EU law: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 11, nothing for children under 6. It is paid in rand at the visa centre and is not refunded if you are refused.
- The visa centre's service charge. VFS Global, TLScontact, Capago and BLS each add their own handling fee per applicant. Capago, which handles France, charges €31, for example. Optional extras such as courier return or premium appointments cost more.
- The agent's fee, if you use one. This is the only optional part.
When you compare quotes, check whether the first two are included in the number you are given. A quote that bundles them looks expensive next to one that does not, even if it is the cheaper of the two.
What our Schengen service costs
From R2,250 per person when there is time to book a normal appointment, up to R4,950 per person for a last-minute application. Embassy and visa-centre fees are separate and paid directly to them.
The quote is free and carries no obligation. UK, US, Canada and Australia applications are quoted per case.
Prices are a guide and subject to change. Your fee depends on your individual needs and circumstances, and you are quoted for your case, in writing, before any work starts.
Why the range
The lower figure applies when there is time to work normally: book an appointment through the usual channels, gather documents, and review them without rushing. The upper figure is the last-minute service: priority handling, searching for the earliest appointment slots and booking them, and a fast-tracked document review. See urgent Schengen visas for what is and is not possible when time is short.
The fee is per person, because every traveller has their own application, documents and appointment. A family of four on the normal service starts at R9,000, before the official fees.
What the fee covers
- An initial consultation covering your destination, your purpose of travel and your personal circumstances
- A document checklist tailored to your case, not a generic list off the internet
- Collation and review of every document before it goes anywhere
- Completion of the application forms, checked with you
- Your biometrics or appointment slot booked at the relevant visa centre
- Preparation for your appointment, and for the interview where one is required
- Support from a consultant who handles these applications daily, until a decision comes back
What it does not cover
- Embassy, consulate and visa-centre fees. These are paid by you, directly to them, and are separate from our service fee.
- Travel insurance, flights and accommodation.
- Attending your appointment. You submit your own application in person and give your own biometrics. No agent may do this for you.
- A guaranteed outcome. The decision belongs to the consulate. What we change is how well prepared your application is when it reaches them.
Comparing visa agents
- Ask for the fee in writing, with embassy and visa-centre fees shown separately.
- Ask what is included. Form completion, document review and appointment booking are not always part of the price.
- Ask who actually reviews your documents, and whether they handle your destination often.
- Walk away from anyone who guarantees approval or charges for an appointment slot.
And ask yourself whether you need help at all. If your case is simple, you may not, and this page explains how to tell.
Frequently asked questions
It varies by agent and destination. Our Schengen service costs from R2,250 per person when there is time to book a normal appointment, up to R4,950 per person for a last-minute application. UK, US, Canada and Australia applications are quoted per case.
Ours is per person: R2,250 each on the normal service, up to R4,950 each for a last-minute application. Every traveller, including each child, has their own application, documents and appointment.
Not in ours. The Schengen visa fee (€90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 11) and the visa centre's service charge are paid by you, directly to them, at your appointment.
No. Schengen visa fees and visa-centre service charges are not refunded on refusal.
Yes. You get a written quote before any work starts, and asking for one carries no obligation.
Want the exact figure for your trip?
Tell us where you are going, when, and who is travelling. You get a written quote before any work starts, and the quote costs nothing.
Sources: European Commission — Applying for a Schengen visa, Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (consolidated), Articles 5, 9 and 23. Checked 8 October 2026. Fees and rules change — if you spot something out of date, tell us at help@getvisa.co.za and we will fix it.
Guidance on this page reflects what South African applicants are asked for in practice. Requirements vary by mission — always confirm against the country page and the application centre before you submit.