How to apply for a Vietnam Visa on Arrival?

Alongside visas at the Embassy or e-visas, obtaining a Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a convenient and flexible entry option for many foreigners. This article reveals everything you need to know about VOA: what it is, when to choose, who can apply, conditions and how to apply, how to receive at the airport, whether it is expensive or takes a long time or not, and other related issues.

1- What is a Vietnam Visa on Arrival?

Vietnam Visa on Arrival (also called Landing Visa or Airport Visa) is a valid visa form allowing foreigners to collect their visa at international airports upon arrival. Foreigners must obtain a visa approval letter (pre-approved letter) from the Vietnam Immigration Department before their trip and show it at the airports to get a visa stamped onto passports.

Why choose a VOA?

In case foreigners are not eligible or cannot apply for an e-visa or regular visa at the Embassy/ Consulate, VOA provides a legal, convenient solution with simplified documentation and quick processing time. In detail, consider a VOA if you:

• Reside in a country without a Vietnamese Embassy/ Consulate.
• Not eligible for an e-visa due to unavailable entry purposes or entry ports.
• Need an urgent visa within 1-2 days, not have enough time for an Embassy visa or e-visa.
• Sponsored by a Vietnamese organization/ enterprise.

Differences between Visa on Arrival - Evisa - Visa at Embassy

The following table provides an overview of current visa options, helping you choose the most suitable application method for your specific needs.

	Visa on Arrival	E-visa	Visa at Embassy
Application method	By a visa approval letter (online application via a Vietnam visa agency/ sponsor organization)	Online via the Vietnam Immigration Portal	Directly at the Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate in the country where the foreigner lives or works
Location to collect visa	Get a visa stamp at Vietnam international airport	Download visa online via the Vietnam Immigration Portal	Get a visa stamp on passport at Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate
Applicable countries	Almost all countries and territories	All countries and territories	All countries and territories
Conditions	Pre-approval letter required	- Have a valid passport - Enter Vietnam via one of 42 international border gates	Complete documents meet requirements of Embassy/Consulate
Purpose of entry	Travel, work, invest, work, visit relatives	Travel, short-term business, visit relatives	All purposes: travel, visit relatives, business, invest, work, study abroad, etc.
Number of entry	Single / Multiple	Single / Multiple	Single / Multiple
Processing fee	- Approval letter fee: Varied - Single-entry: USD 25 - Multiple-entry: USD 50	- Single-entry: USD 25 - Multiple-entry: USD 50	Varied
Payment method	Cash at the airport (stamping fee)	Online via card	At Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate
Processing time	Standard 2-5 days	Standard 3-5 days	Standard 5 - 7 days
Urgent visa	Yes, (4-8 hours to 1-2 days)	No (urgent service only via a local agency)	No
Extension	Yes	No	Yes

2- Visa on Arrival Types

Like other visa types, a Landing Visa can be applied for various entry purposes. The following are the most common visa types available through this process:

Visa type	Symbol	Entry purpose	Notes
Tourist	DL	Travel	Short-term tourism
Business	DN1, DN2	Short-term business, meetings	Need a Vietnamese sponsor enterprise
Visiting relatives	TT, VR	Visit family or for other personal family matters	Need a sponsor who is a Vietnamese citizen or a legal resident (a parent, spouse, child)
Work visa	LĐ1, LĐ2	Long-term work	Need a work permit or is exempt from a work permit
Investor visa	ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4	Invest, contribute capital to Vietnam enterprises	Classified by capital contribution and investment type
Study visa	DH	Study, training at educational institution	Need a sponsor educational institution
Others	NN1, NN2	Work for non-governmental organizations	Applicable to international organizations, NGOs in Vietnam

3- List of applicable Vietnam Airports for Visa on Arrival

Vietnam Visa on Arrival is only issued to foreigners entering Vietnam through international airports. The VOA counters are currently available at 8 international airports, including:

• Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Danang International Airport (Danang)
• Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
• Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa)
• Lien Khuong International Airport (Lam Dong)
• Can Tho International Airport (Can Tho)
• Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc)

4- Who is eligible?

• Foreigners meeting the legal conditions and purposes of entry under Vietnamese law are eligible for Vietnam Landing Visa.
• Foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism, having confirmation from an international travel company or a Vietnamese licensed travel agency.
• Foreigners invited or sponsored by Vietnamese organizations or enterprises for business, trade, short-term work, investment negotiations, or market research.
• Foreigners having relatives who are citizens or legal residents in Vietnam (father, mother, wife, husband, children, guardians), for visiting relatives or short-term business.
• Citizens of countries not on the list of those eligible for a Vietnam e-Visa.
• Foreigners residing in countries without a Vietnamese Embassy/ Consulate or having difficulty applying for a visa through the Embassy.
• Foreigners entering Vietnam urgently for work, humanitarian, medical or other legitimate reasons through an urgent visa letter.
• Individual investors, engineers, experts invited or employed by Vietnamese enterprises.

5- Conditions

Applicants for VOA must comply with the conditions prescribed by Vietnamese law as follows:

• Have a valid passport with at least 6 months from the date of entry, and 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
• Have a valid pre-approved letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department through a sponsoring Vietnamese agency.
• Have a return ticket or onward ticket to prove the leave from Vietnam within the visa validity.
• Have a suitable purpose of entry according to the visa type
• Have all required documents at the airport, including original passport, printed copy of visa letter, visa application form, a 4x6 passport photo with white background and taken within 6 months, and cash to pay visa stamping fee.
• Not subject to an entry ban according to Vietnamese law, such as being banned from entering, being deported, or having an uncleared criminal record.

6- How to Apply for Visa Letter

Applying for an approval letter is mandatory to get a visa upon arrival at the Vietnam airport. This requires some document preparation and the involvement of a Vietnamese visa agency or sponsoring enterprise/organization.

Documentations

Foreigners applying for a DL visa (tourist visa) can use the service of a Vietnam travel/visa agency to get an approval letter. However, applicants generally need to prepare documentation as follows:

• A scanned copy of the passport (information page, number and photo)
• Flight information, entry and exit dates
• Application form for approval letter according to the Immigration Department
• Sponsor Letter from a Vietnamese enterprise (if for work, investment, or business)
• Business registration certificate, seal registration and signature of the sponsoring enterprise (if for work, investment, or business)
• Labor contract or invitation to work (if applicable)

Procedure

1. Step 1: Prepare all required documents.
2. Step 2: Your sponsor enterprise or local visa agency applies to the Immigration Department in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang.
3. Step 3: Wait for the approval. Standard waiting time: 2 - 5 working days or urgent service: within 1 day.
4. Step 4: Once the letter is approved, receive a scanned copy. The original approval letter will be sent to the applicant's airline or border agency.
5. Step 5: Print the approval letter and bring it along with all documents to collect the visa at the Vietnam airport.

7- How to Get Your Visa on Arrival at the Airport

After receiving your approval letter, follow these 05 steps to be granted a visa and ensure a smooth process at the airport:

Step 1: Prepare all documents

• A printed copy of approval letter.
• Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months and 2 blank pages.
• A visa application form (form NA1) with full information.
• A 4x6cm photo (white background, no glasses/hat).
• Cash (USD) to pay the visa stamping fee at the airport (based on applied visa type).

Step 2: Proceed to "Visa on arrival" or "Landing visa" counter

Upon arrival at Vietnam International Airport, go directly to the "Visa on Arrival" or "Landing Visa" counter.

Step 3: Present documents and wait for approval

Present all required documents to the immigration officer. Once approved, the officer will request a payment for the visa stamping fee.

Step 4: Pay fee and get your visa

Pay the visa fee, typically USD25 for single entry and USD50 for multiple entries. Get your visa stamped onto your passport.

Step 5: Complete Immigration

Proceed to the passport control counter to complete the official immigration procedures.

***Important note: Be aware that the process may take 15 minutes to 1 hour or even longer in the peak season. To save time, always prepare documents well in advance and head to the VOA counter as soon as you exit the plane.

8- Visa on Arrival Fee

The cost of a landing visa includes 2 fees: a fee for a pre-approved letter paid for a sponsor enterprise or local visa agency and a fee for visa stamp paid directly to the immigration authority at the airport.

The fee depends on the visa agency, visa type (single/ multiple entries, tourist/business), or time (standard or urgent).

Approval letter fee

• Standard time (3 - 5 days): USD 20 - 45
• Express time (1 - 2 days): USD 50 - 80
• Urgent time (4 - 8 hours): USD 80 - 150

*Important note: The service fees can change based on the visa type (e.g., tourist or business), nationality, and the processing time. Applicants should contact the sponsor enterprise or visa agent directly for accurate information.

Stamping fee in cash

• Single Entry (1 or 3 months): USD 25
• Multiple Entry (1 or 3 months): USD 50
• Multiple Entry 6 months: USD 95
• Multiple Entry 12 months: USD 135

9- Processing Time

The VOA’s processing time has 02 stages: processing of approval letter and stamping visa at the airport.

Approval letter processing:

• Standard: 3-5 business days
• Express: 1-2 business days
• Urgent: 4-8 hours

Stamping visa processing:

15-60 minutes (may be longer during peak season)

10- Urgent Visa on Arrival

Thanks to the combination of an expedited approval letter and visa stamping at the airport, Vietnam Visa on Arrival is an optimal choice for urgent travel to Vietnam.

Why need Urgent Visa

• Not enough time to apply for a standard visa due to sudden changes in flight schedules or unexpected plans.
• Not granted an e-visa on time.
• Granted a visa with incorrect information and need to apply for a new one to catch the flight.
• Urgent entry for humanitarian, medical reasons, urgent event
• The country of residence does not have a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
• Urgent visit of experts and international guests to the Vietnamese enterprise.

How an Urgent VOA works

• Request an urgent approval letter within a day (4-8 hours).
• The sponsor or local visa agency sends the visa letter to the applicant's email and to the airline to ensure boarding.
• Guide foreigners to prepare complete documents to get a visa stamp at the Visa on Arrival/Landing Visa counter.
• The sponsor or local visa agency may support customers directly at the airport.

Processing time and fee

• Express visa (1 - 2 days): USD 50 - 80
• Urgent visa (4 - 8 hours): USD 80 - 150

*Important note: Costs may vary by case and be higher for extremely urgent requests (e.g., weekends or nights). Entrants still have to prepare the visa stamping fee in cash at the airport.

11- Multiple-entry Visa on Arrival

A Vietnam multiple-entry visa is a visa allowing the holder to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times during its validity. This visa type is convenient for those who frequently travel to Vietnam within a certain time, saving time and money on reapplying for a new visa each trip.

Types of Multiple-entry VOA

Foreigners can apply for a multiple-entry VOA, based on purpose and visa type:

• Business visa (DN1, DN2): Valid for 3 or 6 months
• Work visa (LĐ1, LĐ2): Available in special cases
• Investor visa (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4): Valid for up to 1 year
• Tourist visa (DL): Applied for group tours being invited to visit Vietnam multiple times in a year.

Conditions for Multiple-entry VOA

To apply for a multiple-entry visa, applicants must:

• Explicitly request a multiple-entry visa in the approval letter.
• Have a legitimate purpose of stay (e.g., long-term work, investment, or frequent travel)
• Have a legal sponsor in Vietnam.
• Have a passport with proper validity for the visa application period

Single-entry vs Multiple-entry VOA

Single-entry	Multiple-entry
Number of entries One time	Number of entries Multiple times
Validity 1 - 3 months	Validity 1 - 3 - 6 - 12 months (based on visa type)
New visa application after leaving Vietnam Yes	New visa application after leaving Vietnam No, if within visa validity
Stamping fee USD 25	Stamping fee USD 50 - 135
Suitable for Tourists, short-term business travelers	Suitable for Businessmen, investors, experts or people who need to enter and exit Vietnam frequently

12- Can a Visa on Arrival be Extended?

Vietnam Landing Visa is typically valid for 1-3 months and can be extended if the applicant meets the following conditions:

• Have a legitimate reason for an extended stay (e.g., extending business, work, visiting relatives).
• Have a sponsor in Vietnam.
• Do not violate the conditions of stay or immigration laws.
• Prepare all required documents, including: passport, visa extension application, proof of legitimate purpose of stay, sponsor letter, and temporary residence declaration.

Processing typically takes 5-7 working days. The extension time is based on the original visa type and additional documents.

13- Can a Visa on Arrival be Converted to Other Purposes?

Yes. In certain cases, foreigners can change the purpose of a VOA without leaving Vietnam, if they meet the following conditions:

• Have a work permit, or a confirmation not subject to a work permit and are invited to work by a Vietnamese enterprise.
• Have an investment certificate, be an investor or a legal capital contributor to a Vietnamese enterprise.
• Have relatives who are Vietnamese or foreigners legally residing in Vietnam (spouse, parents, children, etc.).
• Be invited by an agency or organization and have changed the purpose of stay according to Vietnamese law.

The process requires valid documents, including proof of your new purpose, a sponsor letter, and your valid current visa.

14- FAQs

Does VOA apply to all ports of entry?

No. Vietnam VOA is only applied for air entry and is currently available at the 8 international airports, including Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Danang, CatBi, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc Airport.

Can I apply for a visa letter upon arrival in Vietnam?

No. You cannot board your flight to Vietnam without a visa letter if entering Vietnam by a VOA.

What if my visa has incorrect information?

You need to immediately contact the agency to correct or reapply it. Any incorrect information may result in entry refusal at the airport.

How long can I stay in Vietnam with a Landing Visa?

The length of stay will be clearly stated on the visa when you get your visa stamped at the airport (typically 30 - 90 days, depending on the type of visa). You need to exit the country before the expiry date to avoid violations.

Can I change my airport of entry?

Yes, as long as the new airport is one of the eight international airports that accept VOA in Vietnam.