Roberta Aguirre
Vietnam offers a convenient visa-on-arrival option for travellers who are unable to apply for a visa in advance through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or for those who need to apply for a visa at short notice. This option is available to all nationalities, but a visa approval letter is required before arrival. The approval letter can be obtained through a local travel or visa agency in Vietnam, and it allows foreigners to collect their visa upon entry at one of eight international airports in Vietnam. The visa approval letter can be obtained quickly, with some agencies offering a turnaround time of just 2-3 hours. However, it is important to note that the visa on arrival option is only available for those entering Vietnam by air and is not applicable for those travelling by cruise or land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa application process | Complete online visa form, get visa letter via email, get visa stamped at Vietnam airport |
| Visa type | E-visa, Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Landing Visa |
| Visa validity | 90 days |
| Visa cost | $25 for one entry, $50 for multiple entries |
| Visa payment methods | Bank transfer |
| Required documents | Passport-style photo, passport data page, entry/exit form, original passport, cash for stamping fee |
| Visa approval letter | Required, obtained from a travel/visa agency |
| Visa extension | Possible, by working with sponsors and/or proceeding to the nearest immigration office |
| Visa exemption | Citizens of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are exempt from visas for up to 15 days |
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What You'll Learn
Visa on arrival process
Yes, you can apply for a visa on arrival at a Vietnamese airport. This process is 100% legal and is available for all visitors who are not eligible for an E-visa or visa exemption, as long as they are travelling by air.
To apply for a visa on arrival, follow these steps:
Step 1: Check Visa Requirements
Firstly, check whether you need a visa for Vietnam. U.S. citizens, for example, can apply for an E-visa online via the Government of Vietnam's electronic visa interface.
Step 2: Submit Application
If a visa is required, submit your application. You will need to complete an online visa form and make the necessary payments. The cost of a visa on arrival includes a service fee and a stamping fee. The service fee varies by visa type and processing time. The stamping fee is paid in cash at the airport and is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa, valid for up to three months.
Step 3: Receive Visa Approval Letter
After submitting your application and payment, you will receive a visa approval letter (also known as a pre-approved letter) via email. This letter acts as official permission to board your flight and allows you to obtain your visa upon arrival at the airport.
Step 4: Prepare Documents
Print out your visa approval letter and complete the entry and exit form. Gather the necessary documents, including the completed form, your original passport (valid for at least six months following your date of entry), two passport-sized photos, and cash for the stamping fee.
Step 5: Obtain Visa on Arrival
Upon arrival at any of Vietnam's international airports, present your documents and pay the stamping fee to the immigration officer to get your visa stamped in your passport.
Please note that the visa on arrival process is only available for air travellers and is not applicable if you are entering Vietnam by land or sea. Additionally, ensure that you carefully check the validity and accuracy of your visa and travel documents before commencing your journey.
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Required documents
To apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival, you must submit an application form and obtain a visa approval letter. This letter is also known as a pre-approved visa letter or visa invitation letter. You can apply for this letter through a local visa agency in Vietnam, or online through the Vietnamese Immigration Department. The visa on arrival option is currently only available for those entering Vietnam by air and through eight international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Hai Phong.
Once you have obtained your visa approval letter, you will need to present it, along with several other documents, at the visa counter upon arrival at the airport. The required documents include:
- The printed visa approval letter
- A completed entry and exit form (this can be done in advance or upon arrival)
- Your original passport, with at least six months of validity remaining and two blank visa pages for the stamp
- Two recent passport-sized photos (4x6cm)
- Cash to pay the stamping fee
It is important to note that the visa on arrival process may be more expensive than other visa options and is best suited for emergency cases or travellers who are unable to apply for a visa through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in advance. The entire process can be completed online, and the visa approval letter can be obtained in as little as 2-3 hours in urgent cases. However, it is recommended to plan ahead and apply for an e-visa or visa at an embassy if possible, as some airlines may not be familiar with the visa on arrival process.
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E-visa vs visa on arrival
Vietnam offers two types of visas that can be applied for online: the e-visa and the visa on arrival. Both are issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department and grant permission to enter the country. However, there are several differences between the two.
Firstly, in terms of eligibility, the e-visa is only available to passport holders of 80 countries, whereas the visa on arrival is available to all travellers entering Vietnam through airports, land ports, or seaports.
Secondly, the visa on arrival offers more flexibility in terms of validity and entry options. It is available for 1 month (single or multiple entries), 3 months (single or multiple entries), and 1 year (multiple entries) for US citizens. In contrast, the e-visa is only valid for 1 month and allows single entry.
Thirdly, the visa on arrival requires paying two types of fees: an approval letter fee to the agency and a visa stamping fee upon arrival at the airport. The e-visa, on the other hand, requires a one-time payment of $25 during the online application.
Fourthly, the visa on arrival requires travellers to receive an approval letter online and then get a stamp in their passport upon arrival at the airport. The e-visa is issued in a PDF file without any stamp or label placed in the passport.
Finally, the processing time for the e-visa is typically 3 business days, while the processing time for the visa on arrival varies depending on the type. The standard processing time for a tourist visa on arrival is 2 working days, while that for a business visa is 7 working days.
In summary, the visa on arrival offers more flexibility in terms of eligibility, validity, and entry options, but it may be more expensive and time-consuming due to the additional fees and processing requirements. The e-visa, on the other hand, is generally considered cheaper, easier, and less cumbersome, making it a popular choice for tourists. However, it is important to carefully review the requirements and eligibility criteria for each type of visa before making a decision.
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Processing time
The processing time for a Vietnam visa on arrival varies depending on the option you choose. The standard processing time is typically between five and ten days, while urgent processing can deliver your eVisa in as little as one day or even within a few working hours. The cost of the visa depends on the processing time and visa type.
The Vietnam visa on arrival is a legal process that allows travellers to obtain a visa approval letter from a travel agency in Vietnam, which enables them to get their visa stamped upon arrival at the airport. This option is commonly used in emergency situations due to its flexible processing times. However, it is only available for travellers arriving in Vietnam by air.
To apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival, you need to first check if you require a visa for your trip. If a visa is necessary, you can submit your application and confirm the processing time and service fee. Once you have made the payment, you will receive the visa approval letter via email, which you need to present to get on board. Upon arrival at a Vietnam airport, you can get your visa stamped by showing the approval letter and paying the stamping fee.
The requirements for the Vietnam visa on arrival include a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining, a recent passport-style photo, and the necessary visa application forms. It is important to note that the visa on arrival is not available for travellers entering Vietnam by cruise or land, and they must obtain a full authorised visa before their arrival.
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Cost
To obtain a visa on arrival at one of Vietnam's international airports, you must first obtain a visa approval letter. The cost of this letter varies depending on the type of visa and the speed of delivery required. The stamping fee, which is paid at the airport, is fixed at $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 3 months. Payment must be made in cash, in USD or VND, as credit cards may not be accepted, and there are no ATMs in the customs area.
The visa approval letter can be obtained through a travel agent or directly from the Vietnamese government. The Vietnamese government charges a processing service fee for the letter, which varies depending on the type of visa and the speed of delivery. The letter can be applied for at any time, but it is recommended to apply at least 3 working days in advance for a tourist visa and 7 working days in advance for a business visa to avoid urgent processing costs.
The stamping fee is paid at the landing visa counter at the arrival airport to obtain the Vietnam visa stamp and sticker. This fee can also be paid online in advance through certain agents to avoid waiting in line at the airport.
It is important to note that the visa on arrival option is only available for air travel. If entering Vietnam by cruise or land, a full authorized visa must be obtained before arrival.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival at the airport. However, you must first apply for a visa approval letter (also known as a pre-approved visa letter or visa invitation letter) online through a local visa agency in Vietnam. Once you have the letter, you can get your visa stamped at the airport.
You will need a recent passport-style photo and a clear scan of your passport data page, showing at least six months of validity remaining.
The standard processing time for a Vietnam visa on arrival is 3-5 working days. However, if you require an urgent visa, you can obtain a visa approval letter in as little as 1 day or 2-3 hours.
The cost of a Vietnam visa on arrival varies depending on the processing time and the type of visa. The stamping fee at the airport is typically around $25, while the cost of an expedited service can be a few hundred dollars.
It is unclear whether Vietnam e-visas can be extended upon arrival. There appears to be conflicting information on this matter, so it is best to contact the Vietnamese immigration authorities for clarification.
