Visa On Arrival - General Info
Visa on arrival is an alternative way to obtain a visa to Vietnam. Instead of applying at an embassy, you apply online for an approval letter. With this letter, you can pick up your official visa upon landing at one of Vietnam's international airports.
The process is simple and entirely online:
- Fill out the secure online application form.
- Pay the service fee.
- Receive the approval letter via email (usually within 2-3 working days).
The "Visa Approval Letter" is a document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Vietnam Government) that allows you to enter and exit Vietnam for a given time period (1 month, 3 months, etc.). With this letter, you can board your flight and get your visa stamped at the airport.
Normally, it takes 2-3 working days to process. Urgent services are available for faster processing.
A colored scan of the approval letter will be sent to the email address you provided in your application. You should print it out and carry it with you.
Yes. Visa on Arrival is applicable for air travel only. If you plan to enter Vietnam by land or sea, you must apply for an e-Visa or visit a Vietnamese embassy. Check our Requirements Page for more details on eligibility.
Requirements, Procedures and Tips
Yes, for most applications, especially e-Visas, a clear scan of your passport bio page is required to ensure accuracy.
Yes, you need photos for two stages: 1. To apply online (digital upload). 2. To present at the airport (for Visa on Arrival stamping). The standard size is 4x6 cm, white background, no glasses.
To apply for a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of arrival. If it has expired or will expire soon, you must renew it before applying.
No, you do not need to provide the exact date. However, you can only enter Vietnam on or after the entry date stated in your approval letter, not before.
Upon arrival (for Visa on Arrival), proceed to the "Landing Visa Counter". You will need to submit: Your passport, printed approval letter, completed entry/exit form, 2 photos, and the stamping fee (cash in USD).
We recommend applying at least 1-2 weeks before your travel date to avoid any potential delays or issues.
Price, Payment and Others
The cost depends on the type of visa (1 month, 3 months, single/multiple entry) and the processing time selected. You can view the exact fee on our Application Page.
The stamping fee is the fee you pay directly to the Immigration Officer at the airport to get your visa stamp.
Single Entry: $25 USD
Multiple Entry: $50 USD
Note: This must be paid in cash (USD or VND).
We accept most major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal.
Your payment information is highly secure. We use industry-standard SSL encryption for all transactions. We do not store your full credit card details on our servers.
You can contact our 24/7 support team via our Contact Page or email us at support@onlinevisavietnam.com.
Problems and Concerns
You must pay the service fee immediately after filling out the online application form. We will only start processing your application once payment is received.
Please contact us immediately. If the approval letter has not yet been issued, we can amend it. If it has already been issued, you will need to re-apply and pay for a new letter.
NO. You cannot board the plane without the approval letter. Airlines will check for this document before allowing you to fly.
For Visa on Arrival, the approval letter is generally valid at any of Vietnam's international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cam Ranh), so changing arrival airports is usually fine. However, please check your specific letter to be sure.