Over 3.2 million Brits applied for visas between quarter four of 2015 and quarter three 2016.
The research from travel insurance specialist Columbus Direct revealed the stunning amount of money people in the UK are spending to visit their top destinations abroad.
Of the 20 most popular destinations, eight require visas that are dependent on the length of the stay.
The most expensive location for Brits to visit was China, which racked up a total spend of £62,992,066.
There were 417,166 UK travel visas for the Asian nation in that period, for a pricey fee of £151 each.
India came in a close second, with almost one million Britons spending £60m just to gain entry into the country.
Pakistan proved next most expensive, claiming almost £23m from travelling Brits, at a cost of £44 each.
Closer to home, more than £18m was spent on visas to Turkey.
Given the number of Britons heading to the European destination surpassed one million, the individual visa cost of £16.15 proved the most cost effective of the lot.
Visa rules vastly differ depending on the country you’re visiting.
If you’re travelling to Australia you won’t pay anything until you exceed the three month mark, when you’ll be charged £80. Brits spent £2.5m on visas for stays of three to 12 months.
In the US, an ESTA visa costs just £11 but if you’re there for more than 90 days you’ll pay £129.
Head of Marketing at Columbus Direct Alison Wild said: “As holidaymakers look to experience cultures further afield, they need to consider the entry requirements for their desired location and factor this into the overall holiday cost.
“It’s worth remembering that travellers need to check the expiry date on their passport too when making a visa application, as some countries like Barbados and Hong Kong require a minimum passport validity of six months for the request to be approved.
“Different destinations have varying requirements for visa applications so it is important to research the necessary entry requirements and visa processing time in advance of travelling.
“The visa application channel also needs to be considered, whether the individual can apply online, obtain one upon arrival, use a travel agent service, or is required to visit an Embassy in person, as this will significantly impact timeframes and in some cases visa fees.”
“Visa applications shouldn’t cause travellers any unnecessary stress but they should look into the matter well in advance of travelling in order to avoid any pitfalls that may impact their travel plans.”
If you don’t want to fork out for a visa, head to Thailand or the UAE for less than 30 days.
You’re not required to pay for entry within these timeframes.
The eye-watering total cost of travel visas might be about to rise, with concerns about new visas for Brits travelling to Europe post-Brexit.
