Roberta Aguirre
Yes, it is possible to apply for a visa on arrival at Vietnamese airports. This process is also known as a Vietnam landing visa, Vietnam airport visa, or visa upon arrival. Travellers must obtain a pre-approved visa letter through a travel/visa agency or online before arrival and present it at the airport to obtain their visa stamp. The visa on arrival option is available at all eight of Vietnam's international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, and Da Nang. However, it is important to note that travellers may be required to pay a stamping fee, which is typically USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival available? | Yes, but a pre-approval letter is required. |
| Where to get pre-approval letter | Through a travel/visa agency or online. |
| How long does it take to get pre-approval letter? | 3-5 working days for standard processing, 8 working hours for urgent processing, and 1-2 hours for emergency processing. |
| How much does it cost? | Service fee for pre-approval letter (varies by visa type and processing time) and stamping fee ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry). |
| Where to get visa on arrival | At one of 8 international airports in Vietnam: Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc Island, Lien Khuong in Da Lat, and Can Tho in Can Tho City. |
| What documents are required? | Pre-approval letter, passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond stay with at least 1 blank visa page), photos (2 passport-sized photos), and visa application form. |
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What You'll Learn
Visa approval letter
It is possible to obtain a visa on arrival at one of Vietnam's international airports. To do this, you must first obtain a visa approval letter. This is a document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) that permits travellers to enter and exit Vietnam for a given time period. The visa approval letter is not a visa, but it is a required document to obtain a visa on arrival.
The visa approval letter includes the following details:
- Full name
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Duration of permitted stay in Vietnam
The approval letter can be processed and emailed within three to five business days. In urgent cases, the letter can be issued within one working day (known as an emergency visa) or within the same working day if the application is submitted before 12:00 PM Vietnam time. The approval letter is usually issued in a group, but a private letter can be requested. The letter cannot be amended once it is issued, so you must apply for a new letter if you wish to update your information.
Once you have the approval letter, you can pick up your visa at one of Vietnam's international airports (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc Island, Lien Khuong in Da Lat, and Can Tho in Can Tho City). You will need to show the approval letter to get on board your flight and then get your visa stamped at the Vietnam airport upon arrival.
It is important to note that you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Vietnam. The approval letter will specify an expiry date, and you must exit the country before this date.
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Visa processing time
The processing time for a Vietnam visa on arrival typically takes anywhere from a few working hours to 7–10 working days, excluding weekends and public holidays. This duration depends on the selected visa processing time and the type of visa being applied for. For instance, an emergency visa can be obtained in as little as one working day, while a tourist visa should be applied for at least three working days in advance, and a business visa should be applied for at least seven working days in advance to avoid urgent processing costs.
The Vietnam visa on arrival process involves obtaining an approval letter from a travel agency or through an online application form. This letter acts as official permission to board the plane and enter Vietnam. The approval letter can be obtained in a few working hours or within one working day in emergency cases. Once the traveller arrives at one of Vietnam's eight international airports, they can have their visa stamped onto their passport by presenting the approval letter, their original passport, photos, and paying the stamping fee.
It is important to note that the visa processing time may vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications, the accuracy of the application, and the workload of the consular agency. Travellers are advised to check the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Department for the most up-to-date information on processing times.
Additionally, travellers should ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months from their planned entry date into Vietnam and that they have at least one blank visa page.
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Stamping fee
To obtain a visa on arrival for Vietnam, you need to get a visa approval letter in advance. You can then show this letter at one of Vietnam's eight international airports to get your visa stamped into your passport.
There are two types of fees you need to pay to obtain a visa on arrival: the service fee and the stamping fee. The service fee is paid online when you submit your application and varies depending on the type of visa and processing time. The stamping fee is fixed and must be paid in cash at the airport when you arrive. Credit cards are not accepted, but any strong currency is if you do not have US dollars. The stamping fee is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa, valid for up to three months.
Russian, Cuban, and Romanian citizens travelling to Vietnam with visa approval letters are exempt from paying the stamping fee.
It is recommended that you prepare the exact amount of cash needed for the stamping fee before arriving at the airport.
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Passport requirements
To enter Vietnam, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank visa page (not including the endorsement page). If you do not meet these requirements, you will be denied entry.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you must enter and exit Vietnam with the same passport. If you are using a Vietnamese passport to enter and exit the country, your passport must have at least six months' validity from your return date to the United States.
If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen in Vietnam, you will need both a replacement passport and a replacement Vietnamese visa to legally remain in or depart from Vietnam. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City can usually issue a limited-validity replacement passport in as little as one business day for emergency purposes. However, the Vietnamese government requires at least three to five working days to issue a replacement visa.
If you are travelling from Vietnam to Laos by land, you should request that an adhesive visa be affixed to your passport instead of a detachable one. Lao immigration officials will require proof that you have departed Vietnam, which can only be shown with an adhesive visa.
If you are a holder of a U.S. APEC Business Travel Card, you will still need a valid visa to enter Vietnam. The United States is a transitional member of APEC and does not reciprocate with other economies regarding full pre-clearance benefits to applicants. As such, cardholders are required to present any travel or identity documentation, such as a passport and visa (where applicable), required by Vietnam. If a U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holder does not conform to Vietnam's entry requirements, they may be refused entry.
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Visa on arrival vs e-visa
Eligibility
The Vietnamese government has authorised certain businesses and travel agencies to arrange pre-approval for a "visa on arrival" at the airport. However, the visa on arrival option is only available for travellers entering Vietnam through airports, whereas the e-visa is valid for passport holders of 80 countries entering through 42 designated international border gates, including all international airports.
Processing Time
The visa on arrival option offers more flexibility in terms of processing time. The standard time for a tourist visa is 2 working days, while a business visa takes 7 working days. Some agencies provide an express service, delivering approval letters within a few working hours. In contrast, the e-visa takes 3 business days to process.
Validity
The visa on arrival option offers more flexibility in terms of validity as well. Travellers can choose from a 1-month, 3-month, or 1-year visa with single or multiple entries. The e-visa, on the other hand, is only valid for 1 month with a single entry.
Cost
The visa on arrival option requires two types of fees: an approval letter fee, which varies by agency, and a visa stamping fee of $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries. The e-visa costs $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries valid for up to 3 months.
Convenience
The e-visa is a complete visa document that allows travellers to enter Vietnam without waiting at the landing visa counter, as they would with a visa on arrival. This makes the e-visa more convenient for those who do not want to wait at the Vietnam airport or arrive by land.
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Frequently asked questions
A Vietnam visa on arrival is a convenient alternative to obtaining a visa in advance. It allows foreigners to collect a valid visa upon entry to enter and exit Vietnam.
First, apply for a visa approval letter through a travel/visa agency. Once you receive the letter, print it out and bring it to the airport, along with your passport, photos, and other required documents. Then, fill out a quick form, get your visa stamped, and proceed through immigration.
The processing time for a Vietnam visa approval letter can vary. Standard processing takes 3-5 working days, while urgent processing can be as quick as 8 working hours or even 1-2 hours for an emergency visa.
There are typically two types of fees: a service fee for the visa approval letter, which varies, and a stamping fee paid in cash at the airport, which is USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa.
Vietnam visa on arrival is available at 8 international airports: Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc Island, Lien Khuong in Da Lat, and Can Tho in Can Tho City.
