E-visa platforms: official fees, service charges and private operators
- UK ETA fee
- £20, apply on GOV.UK 1
- Kenya eTA fee
- From US$30, plus US$100 for expedited 2
- Sri Lanka service fee (2024)
- US$18.50 across all visa categories, plus processing charges and local taxes 3
- Sri Lanka court action
- Supreme Court interim order, August 2024 4
Official channels and fees
Many governments name one official channel. The UK says an ETA "costs £20" and is applied for through GOV.UK 1. GOV.UK warns that "Other websites may charge more to apply" and tells applicants to avoid websites that imitate government services 1.
Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services says eTA applications "must be completed only through this official website or the 'Kenya Travel Authorisation' official mobile application" 2. Its fee starts at US$30 and expedited processing costs an additional US$100 2. Standard applications are processed within three business days or 72 hours but may take longer 2. Diplomats do not pay for a standard eTA 2.
Private operators and service charges
Some governments hire private firms to run the platform and add a service charge to the visa fee. In Sri Lanka, the Department of Immigration and Emigration signed an e-visa agreement with IVS-GBS and VFS Global on 21 December 2023 (company statements) 6,7. IVS-GBS says it was prime contractor and agreed to collect visa revenues and remit them to the department 7. VFS Global says its role was limited to technical partner 6.
VFS Global said in May 2024 that "The total service fee approved by the Cabinet is US$ 18.50 across all visa categories", with payment processing charges and local taxes added, as reported by Ada Derana 3. It said the department alone decides whether to grant a visa 3.
Documented case: Sri Lanka court order
A three-judge Supreme Court bench issued an interim order halting the Cabinet decision to outsource visa processing to the consortium, as reported by Sahan Tennekoon of The Morning on 6 August 2024 4. The court told authorities to return to the system in place before that decision until the petitions are resolved 4. Petitioners included members of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance and Transparency International Sri Lanka 4. The Ministry of Public Security said only 30-day on-arrival visas could then be issued 4.
Audit findings in Sri Lanka
The Auditor General's Department reviewed the e-visa system, as reported by Maheesha Mudugamuwa of The Morning on 9 November 2025 5. It found that the legal authority to collect immigration revenue was improperly delegated to private operators, with fees paid into a foreign account and gateway 5. The operators managed visa issuance from 17 April to 2 August 2024 5. Mobitel's earlier Electronic Travel Authorisation, launched in 2012, charged no service fees 5.
- Visa fees were held abroad for one to six days, against Treasury rules requiring next-day crediting 5
- A US$500,000 security deposit compared with US$952,860 in visa fee revenue as of 29 April 2024 5
- Operators reported 373,991 applications against 375,004 visas issued, leaving 1,013 applicants' fees unremitted 5
- The operator set fees without Treasury or Central Bank approval 5
- The project began from an unsolicited proposal 5
Operator responses
VFS Global said the matter is sub judice and that it wrote to the Auditor General's Office on 7 November 2024 offering full support but received no response (company statement) 6. IVS-GBS said the Special Audit Report dated 3 October 2025 was prepared "without affording IVS-GBS an opportunity to present our explanations" and that it intends to approach the Auditor General's Office directly to clarify certain observations (company statement) 7. The Auditor General recommended a cost-effectiveness study and a transparent tender before any future outsourcing 5.
Common questions
How much does a UK ETA cost?
£20 when applying through GOV.UK 1.
Can I pay more for a faster Kenya eTA?
Yes. Expedited processing costs an additional US$100 on top of the fee starting at US$30 2.
What service fee did Sri Lanka's outsourced e-visa charge?
US$18.50 across all visa categories, plus processing charges and local taxes, according to VFS Global 3.
Why was Sri Lanka's e-visa outsourcing suspended?
The Supreme Court issued an interim order in August 2024 halting the Cabinet decision until the fundamental rights petitions are resolved 4.
What did Sri Lanka's Auditor General find?
That revenue collection was improperly delegated to private operators and fees went to a foreign account, as reported by The Morning 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.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 28 May 2025)
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya: eTA frequently asked questions
- Ada Derana: VFS Global issues clarification on Sri Lanka E-Visa system (6 May 2024)
- The Morning, Sahan Tennekoon: SC interim order, Public Security Min. says only on-arrival visas possible (6 August 2024)
- The Morning, Maheesha Mudugamuwa: E-visa process, audit reveals serious flaws (9 November 2025)
- Daily FT (company statement): VFS Global responds to AG's Special Audit Report (30 October 2025)
- Daily FT (company statement): IVS-GBS responds to AG's Special Audit Report (31 October 2025)
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