GRE Fee by Country 2026: What the GRE Costs Where You Test

GRE cost in 2026: one price almost everywhere

The GRE doesn't have a long list of country prices. ETS's fee table has just two lines for the General Test: China at US$237.86 and all other areas of the world at US$249. ETS says its fees are stated in US dollars, effective 1 August 2026.

If you remember the GRE costing US$220, that was the fee before 1 August 2026. Some ETS regional pages, such as the Korean fees page, still show $220 in their table next to a note that the fee rose to $249 for registrations completed on or after that date. What does differ from country to country is tax, payment options and a few registration rules, which this guide covers below. For everything a GRE attempt can cost, see how much the GRE costs.

GRE fees by country

This table applies ETS's two-line fee table and its tax note to each country. "Tax added" means the country is on ETS's list of places where fees exclude sales, VAT or similar taxes, which are added to the order when you place it. Elsewhere, ETS says its fees include those taxes.

*ETS's table names only "China" (US$237.86) and "all other areas of the world" (US$249). It doesn't say which line applies to Hong Kong or Taiwan, so check the price shown when you register. The fees are the same whether you test at a centre or at home: ETS lists one General Test price per location, with no separate at-home price. Country-specific guides: GRE fee in India and taking the GRE in China.

Where ETS adds tax on top of the GRE fee

ETS's fee page says that in Australia, Canada, Colombia, the 27 European Union countries, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, the United States and Vietnam, test and test-related fees exclude sales, VAT or similar taxes, and the tax is added to your order. The 2026–27 GRE Information Bulletin gives the same list and also includes Chile.

Everywhere else, ETS says fees are inclusive of those taxes. Its note adds that where a test taker is legally required to account for local taxes themselves, paying them is the test taker's responsibility.

One more charge applies to everyone: the Bulletin says the final charge for transactions includes a non-refundable 4% online service fee. So the amount on your card statement can be higher than US$249 even where no tax is added.

Paying in your own currency

ETS prices the GRE in US dollars, but the Bulletin says that when you register online you may be given the option to pay in the local currency supported by your card issuer, or in USD. ETS accepts American Express, Diners Club International, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, RuPay Global, UnionPay and Visa cards, plus PayPal.

Through Alipay+, ETS also accepts local e-wallets popular in Asia:

Two exceptions: if you are testing in India, the Bulletin sends you to the ETS India website for payment information, and if you register for a mainland China test centre through NEEA, you follow the payment instructions in your NEEA account.

Other GRE fees, which barely vary by country

These come from ETS's fee page, which also lists a US$50 Question-and-Answer review for New York State residents only. Your test fee includes up to four score reports chosen on test day; after that, each report costs US$40. Our guide to sending GRE scores with ScoreSelect shows how to use those four free reports well.

ETS's fee reduction vouchers, which cut the General Test to US$100, are for US citizens or resident aliens testing in the US and its territories, plus members of a list of partner programmes such as the EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program.

Country rules that matter more than the price

• Mainland China: you register for a test centre through an NEEA account, and the deadline to reschedule or cancel is 10 days before your test, not the usual four.
• Fewer test dates in East Asia: in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, the GRE is available up to three times per month. In most other regions it runs throughout the year.
• Korea refunds: if you test in Korea, you get a full refund if you cancel within seven days of registering, unless your test is four or fewer days away. Elsewhere, cancelling at least four days ahead normally returns half the test fee.
• Korea digital ID: ETS generally requires a physical ID, but some digital IDs are accepted in the Republic of Korea.
• Country-specific ID rules: the Bulletin lists extra ID requirements for anyone testing in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia or the Philippines. Select your country on ETS's ID requirements page. In India, for example, the Aadhaar card is not accepted.
• Testing at home: ETS offers the at-home GRE everywhere the test is normally available, based on the country of your account address. For mainland China it points you to takethegre.cn instead.

How to keep your total GRE cost down

• Use all four free score reports on test day. Each report you add later costs US$40.
• Book once, carefully. Rescheduling costs US$55 (US$55.43 in China), and missing the deadline means losing the whole fee.
• Plan retakes in advance. You can sit the General Test once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12 months, and scores arrive 8–10 days after the test. Our GRE test dates guide helps you plan around application deadlines.
• Practise before you pay. Set a target with what a good GRE score is, then check where you stand with free GRE practice questions.

If you're applying to business school and could take either test, compare the formats in GRE vs GMAT: which should you take.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.

1. GRE General Test Fees — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
2. GRE General Test Fees (ETS India) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
3. GRE General Test Fees (ETS Korea) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
4. GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27 (PDF) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
5. Your At Home Testing — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
6. GRE General Test Testing Locations — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
7. Schedule Your GRE General Test — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
8. Identification Requirements for the GRE General Test — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
9. Sending Your GRE General Test Scores — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.

Related guides

• GRE in Japan 2026: Fee, Test Dates and Test Centres
• GRE in Korea 2026: Fee, Test Centers and Test Dates
• GRE Fee in India 2026: US$249 and Every Extra Cost
• GRE in China 2026: Cost, NEEA Registration and Test Dates