Vietnam visa on arrival: Requirements and process

For many travelers abroad, the term Vietnam visa on arrival may be new and confusing. So, what is it, how do you apply for it, and what should you keep in mind when you arrive at the airport? Join Wexplore Vietnam to find the detailed answers in the article below!

What is Vietnam visa on arrival?

A Vietnam visa on arrival is a type of visa for travelers entering Vietnam by air, allowing them to get their visa stamped directly at an international airport in Vietnam. To use this option, applicants must first obtain an approval letter from the immigration authorities through an authorized visa service.

Upon arrival at the airport, travelers need to present their passport, photos, and the approval letter to receive their visa stamp. Currently, the visa on arrival is only available in certain special or urgent cases as regulated.

Advantages and disadvantages of Vietnam visa on arrival

The Vietnam visa on arrival is a convenient and fast option for travelers entering Vietnam, but it also comes with some limitations to keep in mind.

Advantages

The visa on arrival stands out for its convenience, speed, and flexibility, especially for those who cannot visit an embassy or consulate in person. Key benefits include:

Highly convenient: No need to prepare many documents or send your passport abroad. Simply fill out an online form and receive the visa approval letter through an authorized service in Vietnam. At the airport, present your passport, photos, and approval letter to get the visa stamped.
Time-saving: Ideal for urgent travel. Emergency visa processing can be completed in 2 – 3 hours, even on weekends.
Cost-effective: You don’t have to pay for mailing documents or traveling. Only the stamping fee at the airport is required.
Flexible entry types: Supports various visa types, including single and multiple entry.
Available for most travelers: Applicable to citizens of all countries entering by air.

No need to prepare many documents or send your passport abroad

Disadvantages

Despite its advantages, the visa on arrival has some limitations:

Must use a service provider: You cannot apply directly through the official website; you need to go through a travel agency or authorized visa service in Vietnam to obtain the approval letter.
Waiting in line at the airport: Visa stamping may take 15 – 20 minutes in low season and 30 – 60 minutes in peak season.
Check entry points: Not all airports accept visa on arrival, so you must confirm your entry/exit airport in advance.
Group approval letters: Your name may appear together with others on the same approval letter.
Flexible fees and cash payment: Includes the service fee (varies by provider) and the stamping fee of 25 – 50 USD, payable in cash only at the airport.

Conditions for applying for Vietnam visa on arrival

Although citizens from many countries can apply for a visa on arrival when entering Vietnam by air and using one of the eight designated international airports, there are certain requirements that must be met:

Travelers from countries without a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in their place of residence.
Travelers currently living abroad and not present in Vietnam.
Travelers holding a passport valid for at least six months from the intended date of stay in Vietnam.
Travelers entering by air through one of the eight international airports that allow visa on arrival.
Applicants must not be prohibited from entering Vietnam under Article 21 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

How to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival

Step 1: Request your visa authorization letter

Completing the online form only takes 5 minutes, and you will be asked to provide the following required information:

Full name – Same as in the passport
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport number
Date of arrival
Type of visa

Step 2: Receive authorization letter by e-mail

After 2 working days (normal service)

Receive your visa authorization letter via e-mail (attached with the visa application form)

Then you must:

Print this letter and the form,
Complete the Vietnamese visa application form,
Prepare 2 passport photos of 4×6 cm and cash for the stamp costs,
Bundle all the aforementioned items together with your passport.

Step 3: Get a visa stamped on arrival

When you arrive at the airport, please proceed to the Visa On Arrival desk (VOA) and present the required documents, which include:

Your passport
Visa authorization letter
2 passport portrait photos
Vietnam visa application form
Cash for stamping costs

After receiving your passport back at the VOA desk, proceed to immigration, where an officer will stamp your visa in the passport. After that, collect your bags and enjoy your time in Vietnam.

Entry Vietnam Visa offers a fast Vietnam visa service for travelers who need to enter the country urgently. Our team handles applications efficiently, ensuring you receive your visa approval within a few hours or 1 – 2 working days. Reliable, secure, and available 24/7, we make your urgent travel smooth and worry-free.

Processing time and fees for Vietnam visa on arrival

Processing time

Since the approval letter is required for obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival, you should plan enough time to prepare this document before your trip. The processing time for the visa approval letter can range from a few hours to several working days.

Urgent approval letter: only 2 – 4 hours.
Standard approval letter: about 2 – 5 days.

Once you have all the documents ready, it usually takes about 15 minutes to 1 hour at the airport to get your visa stamped, depending on the length of the queue.

Fee

Visa on arrival involves two types of fees. The total cost depends on the type of visa and the service provider you choose. Some companies may charge extra for urgent or same-day processing.

Here is a reference fee table for standard service:

Visa type	Estimated service fee	Government stamping fee
Single-entry (1 or 3 months)	20 – 30 USD	25 USD
Multiple-entry (1 or 3 months)	25 – 45 USD	50 USD
Multiple-entry 12 months	60 USD	135 USD

Frequently asked questions about Visa On Arrival in Vietnam

What if I changed my airport of arrival?

This doesn’t matter at all. The visa authorization letter (to collect a visa upon arrival) works at all 5 international airports in Vietnam (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, and Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa, and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City). You can change your arrival between those airports and have the visa stamped without problems.

What if I do not yet know when I will be traveling to Vietnam exactly while completing my application form and the visa authorization letter?

It doesn’t matter at all. In case you are still not sure what your travel dates are, you can specify the planned dates when you complete the VOA Vietnam online application form. But please note that you can enter Vietnam later than the specified arrival date, but that you cannot arrive earlier, so think carefully before entering your dates in the form.

Do I have to contact the Vietnamese embassy if I have the authorization letter?

No. When you use a Vietnam visa on arrival (or VOA Vietnam), you have nothing to do with regard to the Vietnamese embassy for your visa for Vietnam.

After you have received the authorization letter by e-mail, you only need to print it together with the attached Vietnam visa application form (formerly known as Entry and Exit Form) and you will get the passport stamped upon arrival at the Vietnam airport by completing these forms showing, original passport, photos and paying for stamping.

Do I have to provide documents to apply for an authorization letter for a visa for Vietnam?

No. You do not have to show a document when you request an authorization letter online for the Vietnamese visa, you only have to provide your details, including:

Your contact details (name, e-mail address);

Your travel dates;

Information from the applicant (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, date of birth, and expiry date of the passport).

Do I have to provide documents to apply for an authorization letter for a visa for Vietnam?

No. You do not have to show a document when you request an authorization letter online for the Vietnamese visa, you only have to provide your details, including:

Your contact details (name, e-mail address);

Your travel dates;

Information from the applicant (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, date of birth, and expiry date of the passport).

When do I need to apply for an on-arrival visa for Vietnam?

Visa On Arrival is only for people traveling to Vietnam by flight. You can only use it if you travel to Vietnam by plane.

How long in advance do I need to request an authorization letter for a Vietnam visa?

Keep in mind that a normal application takes 3 working days. The Vietnam Immigration is closed on weekends. In addition, urgent requests of 1 day, 4 hours, and 1-2 hours are also possible (also only possible during working hours). So keep in mind to submit your application on time.

Can I enter Vietnam earlier than my permitted arrival date in the visa approval letter?

No, you can not. Later is allowed, but earlier arrival is not possible. If you change your plan and want to enter Vietnam earlier than the permitted arrival date, you are advised to request a new visa approval letter.

Can I leave Vietnam later than the starting date assigned in my visa approval letter?

No, you can’t. Earlier is of course allowed, but with a later departure that is not possible. If you want to stay longer than the expiry date of your visa, it is recommended that you apply for a visa extension.

Can I use a Visa On Arrival for my arrival by land or sea?

No that is impossible. A Vietnam Visa On Arrival only applies to air travel, since the visa applicants must get a visa stamp at the airport of arrival in Vietnam. If you want to enter Vietnam by country, you are advised to contact the closest Vietnamese embassy / to apply for a visa.

What is the difference between a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa?

There is a big difference between a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa for Vietnam:

Single entry visa: you may enter Vietnam once during your visa period. After you leave Vietnam, your visa will automatically become invalid.

Multiple visas: you can enter and leave Vietnam many times during the visa’s validity.

Can I pay for stamp services in Vietnam Dong (VND)?

Yes, that’s possible. You can pay for stamp services in VND or AUD, SGD, etc. but USD is strongly recommended to prevent unbalanced exchange rates at the airport.

Ready to travel to Vietnam with ease? Apply for your Vietnam visa on arrival today through Wexplore Vietnam and enjoy a fast, reliable, and hassle-free process. Get your approval letter quickly and start planning your trip with confidence. Contact us at our hotline +84 904 879 729 for detailed consultation!