1. What is Visa on Arrival ?
Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) is a legal document approved by the Department of Immigration. There are four major benefits to a VOA:
Legitimate: VOA is granted and approved by the Vietnam Department of Immigration.
Convenient: easy online application, no need to send passport and no waiting or delays.
Cheap: lowest fee and best service
Fast: a VOA can be completed in three business days or 8 hours (urgent service)
2. Is the “Visa on Arrival” legitimate ?
Yes, it is! Vietnam Visa on Arrival is an alternative way to get your visa to visit Vietnam.
VOAs are granted by the Vietnam Department of Immigration, which arranges for documents to be picked up upon arrival at one of Vietnam’s international airports.
3. What is the Approval Letter?
The Visa Approval Letter is a letter issued by the Immigration Department of Vietnam allowing you to enter and exit Vietnam for a given period of time. With your Approval Letter, you can pick up your Visa on Arrival at one of three international airports in Vietnam: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang. At the airport, the entry authority will verify the details of the Approval Letter based on your passport and travel documents. As long as you have entered the correct information on your visa application, you should have no problems being granted entry into Vietnam with your Approval Letter.
4. How long does it take to get the Approval Letter?
The Approval Letter is processed and emailed to you within three (3) business days (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and national or international holidays).
In urgent cases, you can receive an Approval Letter within the time frames below:
- Processed within 4 to 8 hours
- Processed within 1 business day
- For urgent processing on national or international holidays, please call us or contact us via email for details and assistance
Note: the above urgent processing times do not apply for Friday afternoons after 12pm or for Saturdays or Sundays. Also, please consider the time difference between Vietnam and your application location.
The visa counters at Vietnam’s international airports are open 24/7. As long as you have your Approval Letter, you will still be able to get your visa on the weekend.
5. How do I receive my visa Approval Letter?
A scanned file of your Approval Letter will be sent to you via email, so please be sure you have provided us with your correct email address. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to open the file.
6. Are there any exceptions for entry with this type of visa?
Visa on Arrival is only valid for air travelers. Travelers entering Vietnam by land or by sea must visit a Vietnam Embassy to get their visa stamp. Your Approval Letter will be accepted at all Vietnam international airports: Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi); Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Danang Airport (Da Nang) and Cam Ranh Airport (Nha Trang).
7. Do I need a photo? If so, what size photo do I need?
Photos are required upon arrival in Vietnam’s airports, so please remember to bring at least two standard photos of passport size (4cm x 6cm). NOTE: if you do not have time to prepare these photos before your departure, you can have them taken at a Vietnam airport for $2 USD or less per photo.
8. What if my passport has expired?
To apply for a visa to Vietnam, your passport must be valid for at least six months following your application. Therefore, if your passport is about to expire, please renew it before applying for a visa to Vietnam in order to avoid unwanted issues at the airport.
9. Should I provide you with the exact date of my arrival?
The arrival date you provide should be the earliest you plan to arrive, but you can arrive after that date. The departure date you provide will be the last day you are permitted to be in the country unless you get a visa extension.
For example, if you apply for a one-month visa and submit your arrival date as Jan. 1, 2019, your Approval Letter will be valid from Jan. 1—Feb. 1, 2019. You can arrive any time between January 1 and February 1, but you must leave the country by February 1, 2019.
10. What is the Stamping Fee?
The Stamping Fee is the fee you are required to pay at a Vietnam airport in order to get the official visa stamped in your passport. The fee is $25 USD for a single-entry visa (1-3 months), and $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa (1-3 months). The Stamping Fee must be paid in cash (Vietnam dong or U.S. dollars). No credit cards are accepted.
11. Can I travel without an Approval Letter and still get a visa when I arrive?
No, you cannot! In order to board the plane, you must show your Approval Letter to the airline. This letter is also compulsory in order to get a visa at a Vietnam airport. We strongly recommend that you apply for your visa before you leave for Vietnam in order to avoid having to delay or change your flight.
12. What if I change my flight and arrive at another airport in Vietnam?
Visa on Arrival works at any of Vietnam’s three international airports: Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City); Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Danang Airport (Da Nang) and Cam Ranh Airport ( Nha Trang ). There will be no problems with switching between these airports.