Independent comparison — we never process applications or take payments
26 providers · 199 destinations · 199 passports
Online visa services compared
CIBTvisas vs VisaHQ: which visa service fits your trip? (2026)
An independent, side-by-side look at CIBTvisas and VisaHQ using facts from the VisaScout catalogue. Prices and processing times are sample figures, last updated 1 Aug 2026 — confirm the live numbers on each provider's own site.
Side-by-side facts
Fees & times are sample data| Fact | CIBTvisas | VisaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Provider type | Private visa service | Private visa service |
| Headquarters | McLean, Virginia, United States | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Founded | 1988 | — |
| Destinations (approx.) | ~170 | ~180 |
| Passports served | Most passports | Most passports |
| Visa types | Tourist, Business, Student, Work | Tourist, Business, Student, Work |
| Service fee from (sample) | ₹7,390 | ₹3,240 |
| Avg. processing (sample) | 9 days | 6 days |
| Express option | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Account managers, regional phone lines, business hours | Phone and email, business hours by region |
| Refunds | Service fees are quoted per case; refund terms are set out in the engagement letter. | Tiered refunds by application stage, as published on the provider's site. |
| Listing check | Done | Done |
| VisaScout score (computed) | 4.3 | 4.7 |
Who each one suits
Choose CIBTvisas if you want…
On catalogue facts alone it does not stand out against VisaHQ; compare live prices and reviews for your route.
Dedicated corporate mobility and relocation desks
Full CIBTvisas profileChoose VisaHQ if you want…
- a lower sample starting service fee
- a faster average processing time in our catalogue
- wider destination reach (~180 vs ~170)
Requirements checker for most passport/destination pairs
Full VisaHQ profileSample tourist-visa totals for Indian passports
SampleIllustrative totals generated from catalogue facts, not quotes. Government fees change — check the official portal.
| Destination | CIBTvisas | VisaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | ₹11,6204–10 days | ₹5,8103–6 days |
| Thailand | ₹9,5504–8 days | ₹7,0604–9 days |
| Singapore | ₹9,9604–10 days | ₹4,5703–6 days |
| Vietnam | ₹11,2103–8 days | ₹7,4704–8 days |
| Indonesia | ₹11,2105–11 days | ₹6,2304–10 days |
| Malaysia | ₹9,1304–9 days | ₹6,6403–8 days |
Destinations both cover — official-source guides
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bhutan
Cambodia
Canada
China
Egypt
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Nepal
NetherlandsYou may not need either
Many destinations let you apply yourself on an official government portal, with no service fee. Check the destination guides for the official links, and use the document checklist to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Is CIBTvisas or VisaHQ cheaper?
Which is faster, CIBTvisas or VisaHQ?
Are CIBTvisas and VisaHQ official government services?
Can either guarantee my visa?
More comparisons
Keep planning
- Destination visa guidesOfficial portals and entry options by country
- Visa types explainedTourist, business, student, work and transit
- Document checklistBuild a printable checklist for your trip
- Schengen 90/180 calculatorCount your days in the Schengen area
- Passport validity checkerCheck months of validity left for your trip
- Visa provider directoryEvery listed provider, with listing checks
- Official resourcesGovernment portals in one place
- AltF BacklinksDirectory of sites and communities by AltFTool