A tourist from Singapore paid $192 for an Australian visa that costs $20: here's what she did wrong

By TravelWiseDec 11, 2023 22:45 PMNews
Share:
A tourist from Singapore paid $192 for an Australian visa that costs $20: here's what she did wrong
A tourist from Singapore overpaid for a visa. Source: Pexels

A tourist from Singapore, planning a trip to Australia, overpaid by $170 for a visa that costs about $20. She mentioned that her mother used to handle the documents, and her first independent attempt was unsuccessful.

The girl shared her unfortunate experience on TikTok. In nearly 4 minutes, she recounted how she incorrectly submitted the documents, advised others to do the same, and detailed the moment she realized her mistake.

The Singaporean woman acknowledged that the entire situation was entirely her fault. She admitted to not thoroughly reviewing all the information related to the visa application.

"I just followed the links. For example, a Singapore passport, which one should I click on? And I clicked on the one that costs 20 dollars, right? And then, when I was filling in all my data, I was suddenly told: 'You have to pay this service fee, then this fee, then this fee.' And then: 'total 192 Australian dollars'... I thought: 'Okay, let me just hurry up because I'm going to Australia in a few days,'" the tourist explained.

Later, while assisting her friend, she realized that she had not attached any documents, meaning her identity would not be confirmed, and the visa would not be approved.

During her second application, the tourist consulted her friends on how they traveled to Australia, and they informed her that a visa should not cost more than $20.

"And then I realized everything. I applied for the wrong visa. And I don't even know why it was the wrong one, because it's the same as a tourist visa. Except that mine was for one year," the blogger explained.

She advised her subscribers to apply for a visa earlier and to carefully read all the information before blindly making payments.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room interior with bed, TV, and window view in Riyadh

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM
Southwest Airlines aircraft ascending with snowy mountains in the background

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM
Modern hotel room with double bed, armchair, and wall art

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM
Person using smartphone at airport

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM
Modern hotel room with large window and city view

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM
China Airlines Airbus in flight with clear sky background

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on tracks in South Wales

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM

Steam-Powered Day Trips from London Unlock Access to Britain’s Hidden Landscapes

Jul 25, 2025 20:42 PM
WestJet airplane in flight against a blue sky

New Air Partnership Opens More Direct Travel Routes Between North America and Africa

Jul 25, 2025 15:28 PM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching landing in clear sky

New Wizz Air Flights Open Southern Europe to Gdańsk Travellers

Jul 25, 2025 10:35 AM