Jazmin Li
Vietnam offers a convenient alternative to obtaining valid permission to visit the country: the Visa on Arrival (VOA) program. This allows travellers to pick up their visas at one of Vietnam's international airports upon arrival. The process involves applying for a visa approval letter in advance and presenting it at the airport to get the visa stamped onto their passports. However, it's important to note that this process is only applicable for air travel, and those travelling by cruise or land must obtain a full authorised visa before arriving in Vietnam. Additionally, the visa approval letter must be obtained through a travel agent or visa service, and it is advised to allow sufficient processing time to avoid urgent fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Visa on arrival (VOA) or eVisa |
| Visa validity | The eVisa is accepted at numerous international airports, land border crossings, and seaports. |
| Processing time | Standard processing is typically 5-10 days, while urgent processing can deliver your eVisa in as little as 1 day. |
| Documents required | A recent passport-style photo and a clear scan of your passport data page, showing at least 6 months of validity remaining. |
| Visa fee | The stamping fee is USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 months. |
| Visa approval letter | Required for visa on arrival. Can be obtained from a travel agent or a visa sponsor (a local business or travel agent). |
| Application process | Fill out an online form, provide passport details, photos, and pay the fee. |
| Airport visa stamping | Show the visa approval letter and get the visa stamped onto your passport upon arrival at one of Vietnam's 8 international airports. |
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What You'll Learn
Visa approval letter
The visa approval letter is a crucial document if you plan to obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival at one of the country's international airports. This process is a convenient alternative to obtaining a full visa before your arrival in Vietnam. The visa on arrival option is only available for air travel; if you are travelling by cruise or land, you must obtain a full authorised visa before entering Vietnam.
To obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival, you must first get a visa approval letter. This letter can be applied for at any time, and it is valid from the arrival date granted, not the date of application or receipt. It is recommended that you apply for the visa approval letter at least three working days before your arrival (for a tourist visa) or seven working days (for a business visa) to avoid urgent processing costs. The fee for the letter varies depending on the visa type and processing time.
Once you have received your visa approval letter via email, print it out, along with the attached Vietnamese visa application form. When you arrive at one of Vietnam's eight international airports, you will need to show these documents, along with your original passport and passport photos, to get your visa stamped. There is also a stamping fee, payable in cash, of USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to three months.
It is important to note that you should not travel to Vietnam without a pre-approval letter, as this may result in a denial of entry by immigration authorities. Additionally, some airlines may require confirmation of the legitimacy of the visa on arrival process, so it is advisable to show up early at your departing airport to allow time for any potential issues to be resolved.
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Visa 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. The stamping fee is only applicable for visa on arrival.
The stamping fee must be paid in cash at the airport, and the cost depends on the type of visa. For a single-entry visa, the stamping fee is $25 USD, while for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to three months, the fee is $50 USD. Payment must be made in USD or VND, as credit cards are not accepted, and there are no ATMs within the customs area.
It is important to note that the visa on arrival option is only available for air travel. If you are travelling to Vietnam by cruise or land, you must obtain a full authorised visa before your arrival. Additionally, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date in Vietnam.
Russian, Cuban, and Romanian citizens travelling to Vietnam with visa approval letters are exempt from paying the stamping fee.
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Passport validity
To enter Vietnam, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your return date to the United States. You will also need to present a recent passport-style photo and a clear scan of your passport data page as part of your visa application.
All nationalities can apply for a visa on arrival in Vietnam, but you must obtain a visa approval letter in advance. This letter is valid from the arrival date granted, not the date of application or receipt. It is recommended that you apply for this letter at least three working days before your arrival for a tourist visa, or seven days for a business visa, to avoid urgent processing costs.
Once you have the letter, you can get your visa stamped at one of Vietnam's eight international airports. The visa on arrival service is only available for air travel; if you are travelling by cruise or land, you must obtain a full authorised visa before your arrival.
It is important to note that some airlines may not recognise the visa on arrival letter, so it is recommended that you arrive at the airport early to allow time for confirmation.
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Visa processing time
The processing time for a Vietnam visa depends on the type of visa and the processing option chosen. For an e-visa, the processing time is typically 3 to 5 working days after the Vietnam Immigration Department receives the completed application and e-visa fee.
Standard processing for a Vietnam visa is usually 5 to 10 days, while urgent processing can get your visa approved in as little as 1 day. The cost of urgent processing is higher than standard processing.
The Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) is a convenient alternative to obtain permission to enter Vietnam. The visa approval letter can be obtained in advance or on the day of arrival. However, it is recommended to allow at least 3 working days for a tourist visa and 7 working days for a business visa to avoid urgent processing costs.
Once you have the visa approval letter, you can proceed to get your visa stamped at one of Vietnam's international airports. The stamping fee is USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 months.
It is important to note that the visa on arrival option is only available for air travel. If you are travelling to Vietnam by cruise or land, you must obtain a full authorized visa before your arrival.
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Visa extension
If you wish to extend your stay in Vietnam, you must apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires. The visa extension will grant you a new duration of stay in Vietnam, allowing you to remain in the country without having to re-enter.
To apply for a visa extension, you must submit the following documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department:
- A proposal form to require an extension of stay (N5 form)
- A visa extension form signed and sealed by a legal representative of the company
Depending on the type of visa you hold, you may be required to submit additional documents. Your current visa type must correspond to your extended stay requirements. If you hold a single or multiple-entry visa valid for one month or three months, you can apply to extend your visa by one month. If you hold a three-month single or multiple-entry visa, you can apply to extend your visa by three months.
You can choose to submit your visa extension application yourself or through a local agency in Vietnam. The processing time for visa extensions is typically seven working days.
It is important to note that overstaying your visa in Vietnam will result in penalties and may impact your future travel history. Therefore, if you wish to extend your stay, it is advisable to initiate the visa extension process well before your current visa expires.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get a Vietnam visa on arrival at one of the country's international airports.
You need to obtain a visa approval letter in advance and show it at the airport to get your visa stamped onto your passport. You can apply for the letter through a travel agent or online. You will also need to fill out a quick form and provide photos.
The stamping fee for a single-entry visa is USD 25, while a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 months costs USD 50. The service fee for the visa approval letter varies depending on the visa type and processing time.
Processing times vary, but standard processing typically takes 5-10 days, while urgent processing can deliver your eVisa in as little as 1 day. It is recommended to apply for the visa approval letter at least 3 working days before your trip to avoid urgent processing costs.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your return date, and you should ensure that your visa category corresponds to your purpose of travel. It is also important to check the official list of entry points, as the Vietnam visa on arrival is only available at certain international airports.
