Vietnam Visa On Arrival

Last update: 09/09/2022

1. What is VOA

Vietnam visa on arrival (also known as landing visa, airport visa) is the easiest and most convenient way to get a visa to visit Vietnam. A visitor can apply for Vietnam visa on arrival anywhere without the need of visiting the Vietnamese Embassy in your place to get a visa. 

In order to obtain the Vietnam visa on arrival, you have to get a visa approval letter which is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department beforehand. Upon arrival, you just need to present the visa approval letter to get a visa sticker stamped on your passport. 

Vietnam visa on arrival is a completely online process with payment made online and visa approval letter received by email. 

2. Types of VOA

Technically, Vietnam visa on arrival is categorized according the purpose of visit, the length of stay and a number of entries. 

2.1 The purpose of visit 

– Tourist visa

– Business visa

– Working visa 

– Student visa

– Family visitor visa 

2.2 The length of stay and a number of entries. 

– 1 month single/multiple entry

– 3 month single/multiple entry

– 6 month single/multiple entry

3. Eligibility

You would be eligible for Vietnam visa on arrival if:

– You are a citizen of any one of 180+countries and territories whose citizens are eligible for Vietnam visa on arrival 

– You will be entering the country only through one of authorized entry ports which include 09 international Vietnam airports as listed in the bellow section. 

Note: You don’t need this visa if you are just planning on staying at the airport for a layover or transit. 

4. Applicable airports

Visa on arrival is only accepted at one of the airports as listed as bellow:

⋅ Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)

⋅ Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh)

⋅ Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)

⋅ Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)

⋅ Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa)

⋅ Can Tho International Airport (Can Tho)

⋅ Lien Khuong International Airport (Da Lat)

⋅ Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc)

⋅ Van Don International Airport (Quang Ninh) 

In case, you are not getting into Vietnam by air, you are advised to obtain a complete visa on your passport at Vietnamese Embassy or E-visa if you enter Vietnam through the entry port as approved. 

5. Visa on arrival fees

The fees of visa on arrival include visa service fee and stamping fee. The visa service fee is paid to process the visa approval letter and the stamping fee is paid to get visa stamped on your passport upon arrival.

Here is the visa service fee offered by Yourvietnamvisa.com 

The stamping fee is paid in cash to the Immigration Officer when you collect your visa at the Vietnam Immigration Counter. Here is the list of stamping fee

– 25usd/person for 1 or 3 month single entry

– 50usd/person for 1 or 3 month multiple entry

– 95usd/person for 6 month multiple entry

– 135usd/person for 1 year multiple entry

6. Required documents to apply for visa on arrival 

To apply for a visa approval letter, the required documents include:

 A visitor’s passport copy which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Vietnam. Passport has at least 2 empty pages left to stamp exit and entry on.

 For citizens of the countries on the restricted list, they have to submit their return or onward ticket out of Vietnam and their hotel booking.

 A debit/credit card to pay for visa service fee

Documents required to obtain visa on arrival include:

⋅ A copy of visa approval letter

⋅ Original passport of visitor 

⋅ 02 passport sized photos (taken within the last 6 months)

⋅ A completed Vietnamese visa application form 

⋅ Stamping fee in cash

7. How to apply

Here are 4 simple and easy steps to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival

Step 1: Fill in the visa application online

You need to fill in the visa application online or you can send to us such details of applicant at [email protected] for further support.Step 2: Make payment for the visa service

After completing the visa application form, you are required to make payment with credit card or debit card for the visa service before we start processing the application.

Step 3: Get the visa approval letter by email

Within 2 working days for tourist visa or 5-7 working days for business visa, your visa approval letter is sent to your email.

Step 4: Get visa stamped on arrival at the Vietnam airport

Upon arrival, please show your visa approval letter, Vietnamese visa application, 02 passport sized photo and stamping fee in order to get visa stamped on our passport.

8. Processing time

For Vietnam visa on arrival, it normally takes 5-7 working days (excluding Saturday, Sunday and national holidays) to process the visa approval letter. Express service is available between 2 and 4 working hours but it’s not granted to all cases. 

9. Is Vietnam visa on arrival legitimate?

Based on Ordinance on entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam; Government’s Decree No. 21/2001/ND-CP and Joint Circular No. 04/2002/TTLT/BCA-BNG, Vietnam visa on arrival is a legitimate way to get Vietnam visa. In order to obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival, you have to apply for a visa approval letter which issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. This letter acts as legal permission that allows you to get on board and have a Vietnam visa stamped on your passport upon arrival.

10. What does it mean for travelers to Vietnam?

⋅ No need to travel to Vietnamese Embassy in person

⋅ No need to courier passport

⋅ No in-person interview for visa

⋅ There is no requirement to get any document attested 

⋅ Processing time is completed online within 5-7 business days

11. FAQs

Q1. Can I enter from anywhere on Vietnam visa on arrival?

You are just allowed to enter Vietnam through the airports as mentioned above in the section 4. In case you are going to enter through seaports or land borders, it’s highly advised to arrange a visa stamped on your passport at Vietnam Embassy beforehand.

Q2. Do I need to visit Vietnamese Embassy in case I have a visa approval letter?

No, you don’t need if the visa approval letter allows you to pick up visa at Vietnam airport. All you need to do is to print it out and bring a cope of visa approval letter with a Vietnamese visa application form, stamping fee and 02 passport sized photo to Vietnam airport. Then, you will get a visa sticker stamped on your passport. 

Q3. What if I change my arrival date?

You can change your arrival, however please keep in mind that you are only permitted to enter Vietnam after the arrival date as granted in the visa approval letter. If you want to visit earlier that that date, you have to reapply for a new visa approval letter. 

Q4. How long in advance should I apply for visa on arrival?

You should apply for visa on arrival at least in 2 weeks before your departure date. 

Q5. If I am not leaving at the Vietnam airport, Do I still need to apply for visa on arrival?

If you are planning to stay on the transit or layover area, you do not need to apply for Vietnam visa.