Complete guide to obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival for foreigners

Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) is an official entry permission that allows eligible travelers to receive their visa upon landing at one of Vietnam’s international airports, rather than applying at an embassy beforehand. This convenient process requires obtaining a pre-approved visa approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department before your journey, which serves as legal authorization to board your flight to Vietnam. Vietnam VOA service offers both tourist and business visas with durations ranging from 1-3 months in single or multiple entry formats. To complete this process, travelers must prepare essential documents including a valid passport, photos, completed application form, and cash for the stamping fee (USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry).

This service is exclusively available at eight international airports across Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Processing times are flexible, ranging from standard (2-5 working days) to urgent (within hours), making it particularly valuable for emergency travel situations.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Vietnam visa on arrival, from eligible visa types and requirements to the step-by-step application procedure and airport processing. Let’s begin with understanding what exactly a Vietnam airport visa entails.

What is Vietnam visa on arrival and how does it work?

Getting a visa for Vietnam is easier than ever with the Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) option – a type of visa issued at international airports in Vietnam. While you can enter Vietnam through land borders, airports, and seaports, this visa is only available when you arrive by airplane. This method is convenient for foreigners who don’t live near Vietnamese Embassies or come from countries without Vietnamese diplomatic offices.

The visa on arrival system helps travelers get their Vietnam entry visa directly at the airport instead of visiting a Vietnamese Embassy before their trip. This saves time for people who need to travel quickly or live far from Vietnamese diplomatic offices.

>>> For a simpler alternative that doesn’t require airport processing, many travelers now prefer applying for a Vietnam e-visa which can be obtained entirely online before your trip.

Types of Vietnam visas available at international airports

When applying for visa on arrival, you have several options based on how long you can stay and how many times you can enter Vietnam:

• 30-day visa: Single-entry or multiple-entry
• 90-day visa: Single-entry or multiple-entry

Foreign workers with valid Vietnam work permits can also apply for longer visas:

• 6-month visa (multiple entries)
• 1-year visa (multiple entries)

Choose your visa type based on your travel purpose and whether you’ll need to leave and re-enter Vietnam during your stay. For tourists, the Vietnam tourist visa offers specific benefits designed for vacation travelers, while business travelers might prefer a Vietnam business visa for their professional activities

Who is eligible for Vietnam visa on arrival?

Most foreigners who need a visa to visit Vietnam for tourism, business or family visits can apply for visa on arrival if they enter Vietnam by airplane. Citizens from visa-exempt countries don’t need to apply for this visa.

>>> If you’re visiting family members in Vietnam, you might be eligible for a Vietnam visa for family members, which offers special privileges for relatives of Vietnamese citizens or resident foreigners.

List of airports in Vietnam offering visas on arrival

You can get a Vietnam visa on arrival at these 8 international airports when arriving in Vietnam:

1. Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
2. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
3. Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
4. Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)
5. Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa)
6. Lien Khuong International Airport (Da Lat)
7. Can Tho International Airport (Can Tho)
8. Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc)

For travelers entering through Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh airport visa on arrival service can help expedite your entry process and avoid long waiting lines at Vietnam visa Ho Chi Minh airport counters.

How to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival: 3-step process

Step 1. Apply for entry approval online

To apply for visa on arrival, first visit the National Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security to apply for a Vietnam entry approval letter. After completing the application and paying the fee, you’ll receive your approval letter by email within 7-10 business days.

Step 2. Prepare all necessary documents

To ensure a smooth travel experience, please prepare all required documents before arriving at the airport:

• Printed copy of the online entry approval
• Completed Vietnam visa application form (NA1 entry form)
• Two 4×6cm passport photos that meet the Vietnam visa photo requirements
• Original passport with at least six months’ validity

Note: If you don’t have passport photos, you can get them at the airport for about VND 100,000 per photo. Having photos ready in advance will save you time when applying for visa on arrival.

Step 3. Present documents and pay visa fee

Present the prepared documents to the visa issuance officer at the Vietnam visa counter at the airport and pay the required fee to have the visa stamped onto the passport.

Processing time for Vietnam entry visa at the airport

Key timelines for obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival:

• Approval letter processing: Usually takes 7-10 business days. It may take longer during weekends, holidays, or busy tourist seasons.
• Airport visa stamping: With complete documents, this takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how many passengers are at the airport. The waiting time can be particularly long at Vietnam visa Ho Chi Minh airport counters during peak travel seasons.

>>> For those coming to Vietnam for work purposes, applying for a Vietnam work visa in advance might be more suitable than the visa on arrival option, as it provides necessary documentation for employment.

Fees for Vietnam visa on arrival

The approval letter for Vietnam visa on arrival is offered at no cost by the government, but you must pay a Vietnam entry visa cost (stamping fee) at the airport:

Pay these fees in cash (USD or VND) at the airport visa counter. Have the exact amount ready to make the process faster when applying for visa on arrival.

>>> For business investors looking for longer-term options, the DT4 visa Vietnam might be more appropriate, offering special benefits for those making investments in the country.

Frequently asked questions about Vietnam visa on arrival

VisaNow hopes this guide clarifies the visa-on-arrival process for Vietnam and assists in your document preparation. For further questions, please contact VisaNow via hotline 1900 63 63 50 for dedicated support about our Vietnam visa service.