Visa Scams Exposed: Websites Charging Travellers for Visas That Are Actually Free
Watch the VLOG: https://www.tiktok.com/@anavidtraveller/video/7593206739902778631
Travel planning is stressful enough without being tricked into paying for something you never needed to pay for in the first place.
Over the past few years, a growing number of websites have appeared online that look official, rank highly on Google, and claim to help travellers apply for visas.
The problem
Many of these visas are completely free when applied for through the official government website.
Yet travellers are being charged anywhere from 30 to over 200 dollars for something that costs nothing.
This article exposes how these visa websites operate, why so many people fall for them, and how you can protect yourself before your next trip.
Here is a list of the official visa and ETA sites, which are FREE or almost free: https://anavidtraveller.com/official-visa-websites/
* You must do your own check before you use any of our links
Why I Decided to Write This Guide
Why I Decided to Write This Blog Post
I decided to write this blog post after a real experience during my last trip to New Zealand that genuinely shocked me.
I am a New Zealand citizen, so I do not need a visa to enter the country. My wife, however, is a Singaporean citizen and needed to apply for an NZeTA, an electronic travel authorisation required for eligible travellers.
At the airport, while checking in, she noticed a QR code at the counter for visa applications and scanned it.
The QR code redirected her to a website that looked official, professional, and trustworthy. There were no obvious red flags. The layout resembled a government portal, the wording felt authoritative, and it guided her through the application smoothly.
Then came the payment page.
The website was charging up to 225 dollars for the NZeTA.
Luckily, before proceeding, she asked me to check. I immediately told her to stop.
The NZeTA itself can be applied for directly through the official New Zealand government website or app, without paying a third-party service fee. At that moment, it became very clear to me how easily travellers can be misled.
If this could happen at an airport, where travellers already feel pressured and rushed, imagine how many people are paying these fees at home while searching online.
That single moment is what made me realise this is not just a one-off issue. It is happening to travellers every day. This blog post exists to help people understand how these websites work and, more importantly, where to apply for visas safely and directly through official government sources.
How These Visa Scam Websites Work
Most of these websites follow the same playbook.
They use official-sounding names like immigration portal, visa service, or government assistance.
They copy the colours, layout, and wording of real government websites
They spend heavily on Google Ads so they appear above the official site
They never clearly say the visa is free elsewhere
They hide disclaimers deep in the terms and conditions
In many cases, they are not technically illegal. They provide a form-filling service. But the way they market themselves is designed to confuse travellers into thinking they are official.
Common Examples Travellers Fall For
Here are some common scenarios travellers message me about.
Paying for ESTA applications that are free or cost only a small official fee
Being charged for ETA visas that can be done directly on a government app
Websites charging “processing fees” for visas that require no payment at all
Middleman sites are adding huge markups for forms that take five minutes to complete
If you see wording like service fee, processing assistance, or expedited handling, that is usually a red flag.
How to Tell If a Visa Is Actually Free
Before you pay for any visa, always do these checks.
Search the country name plus the official visa website
Look for a .gov or official government domain
Check the country’s immigration or foreign affairs website
Search traveller forums for recent experiences
Never trust the first Google ad result
If a visa is free, the official site will clearly state the cost as zero or say no fee required.
Why Google Still Allows These Sites
This is the frustrating part.
Many of these websites comply with advertising rules by adding tiny disclaimers that say they are not affiliated with the government. That keeps them technically compliant, even though the overall experience is misleading.
Until regulations change, travellers need to protect themselves with awareness.
My Advice to Travellers
I always apply directly through official government websites.
It is safer
It is cheaper
It avoids unnecessary data sharing
And you know exactly what you are getting
If a visa is free, do not pay anyone to “help” you apply.
Final Thoughts
If this article saves even one traveller from wasting money, it has done its job.
Travel should be exciting, not stressful, and definitely not full of hidden traps.
If you have come across a visa website that tried to charge you for a free visa, share your experience in the comments. The more people talk about this, the harder it becomes for these sites to survive.