Visa costs for US citizens in US dollars:



There is a flipside to this. One reason visa costs are high is a reaction to what USA charges foreigners for a visa, $140 last I checked. The reason we charge $140 is because of a rule that states the visa cost should reflect the actual processing cost. I don’t know how they compute that but, like public transportation, some things have an intangible, incalculable benefit that should override the number crunching.I go back and forth about this. On the one hand, I think this tit-for-tat of countries to use “reciprocity”, as it’s called, is shortsighted and they are shooting themselves in the foot to make a point. Intuitively, there should be a big economic benefit of a lower visa cost. On the other hand, if visas were free throughout West Africa, would American tourists flood in? No. Would it be a good start?I would love to visit. It’d be rough going, but I also know it would be completely unforgettable. I simply don’t want to shell out $1000 for visas. Is it hypocritical of me to complain about this?

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