How to Save Money on Your Airport to Airport Visa Change

It can not only be stressful, but it can be quite expensive as well to change visas at the airport. However, there are several strategies you can adopt that can help you save money while going through this complicated process. This guide shall help you save money whether you’re simply passing through, extending your stay or changing the visa type. 

Why Are Airport Visa Changes Expensive?

Before we discuss the strategies to save money during airport to airport visa change, let’s see why the procedure is expensive. Here are the factors responsible:

High Processing Fees

For on-the-spot visa changes, airports often charge an additional amount.

Limited Options

You may not have too many alternatives to process your visa since you're in transit already.

Urgency

You may need to pay for expedited processing since you face time constraints.

Tips for Saving Money on Your Airport-to-Airport Visa Change

You can still save money if you plan ahead and comprehend your options well despite the high costs.

Plan Your Visa Change in Advance 

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid the high costs when changing visas at the airport. Much before you travel, research what visa options you have for your destination. If you see that you'll need to change visas, see if applying for the suitable visa in advance is possible. 

Apply Online 

You can save money by applying for your visa online instead of doing so at the airport. 

Consult a Visa Agency 

Consider consulting a visa agency if you aren't sure about the visa requirements. With their help you can apply correctly and save the cost of reapplying.

Avoid Visa Changes at the Last Minute 

You may have to pay higher fees if you go for an airport to airport visa change at the last minute. You'll have limited options if you wait till arriving at the airport and hence, end up paying more. 

Plan for Delays 

You could avoid extra costs by arriving at the airport early so you have enough time to deal with delays without having to make rushed decisions and spending money in desperation.

Check for Grace Periods 

After your visa expires, some countries allow you a grace period which allows you to apply for an extension without paying extra for an airport visa change.

Understand Your Options for Visa Extension 

Look for options to extend your visa instead of going for a full visa change if you need more time even though your visa is about to expire. 

Airport Visa Extensions 

At some airports, you can extend your visa for a short period without moving out of the premises. Often, this is much less expensive than securing an entirely new type of visa. 

Transit Visas

You could apply for a transit visa if you're just passing through instead of applying for a full fledged tourist or business visa since it's much cheaper to do so.

Check Visa Fees Before Travelling 

Depending on the country you're visiting, visa fees can vary a lot. While some countries offer more affordable options, some countries charge a high fee when you need to extend or change your visa. 

Look for Fee Waivers

Under certain conditions, some visa fees may be waived. For example, citizens of specific countries or those with a long history of travelling may get fee waivers from some countries. 

Know the Fee Structure 

Before you travel, familiarise yourself with the visa fees so you are aware of what you can expect. To avoid any surprises, enquire about the costs in advance if you plan an airport visa change.

Seek Assistance from Airport Officials 

You may be able to get your visa changed at a lower cost with assistance from the airport officials. It never hurts to ask for some guidance. 

Speak at the Visa Desk

Head to the visa desk and speak to the officials if you're unsure about the process. Apart from guiding you through the entire process, they'll be able to tell you if any cheap options are available.

Ask About Discounts

While you may not always get discounts from airport officials, they may still be able to tell you about how your visa change can be less expensive, more so if special programmes are on.

Use a Visa Facilitation Service

You can seek help from visa facilitation services. These are third-party companies offering assistance with the visa change procedure charging a small fee. Their expert advice on the situation can help you save both time and money. Look for visa facilitation services offering international visa services. 

Compare Service Providers

Compare the prices charged by several visa facilitation services after shopping around. There are bundle services on offer that offer airport visa change help at heavy discounts. 

Read Reviews

Check the reviews made by other travellers who have used the services of a certain visa facilitation service. That way you know if you can rely on it and save money with your visa change.

Look for Multinational Visa Options

Travellers can apply for visas that allow travel in multiple nations. If your journey takes you to multiple places, you find a cheaper option in multinational visas than having to change visas at each airport. 

Schengen Visa

If you’re traveling in Europe, you can travel to multiple nations with a single Schengen visa. This can help you save not just time, but also money when you need to pass through several countries in Europe.

Regional Visas

Much like the Schengen Visa, you can avail regional visas in Southeast Asia or South America covering multiple nations. Research and see if these options are available on your trip. 

Avoid Overstaying Your Visa

There can be significant fines or penalties if you overstay your visa at an airport. Always make sure that you have the proper visa that’s valid for the entire duration of your stay so you can save money. 

Monitor Visa Expiry Dates

Keep an eye on when your visa shall expire and make sure that there’s enough time available for you to handle any changes before it happens. 

Conclusion

There are several strategies that help you reduce costs while changing your visa at the airport. Plan ahead and explore all available options and look for discounts and offers. Seek help from an experienced travel agency in Dubai for assistance. With a little preparation the visa change process can not just be much smoother, but also more affordable.