FAQs

+What is visa on arrival?

Visa on arrival is an alternative way to obtain a visa for Vietnam in addition to the traditional way of getting a visa at Vietnam Embassy.
With this kind of visa, you are required to submit an online application for a visa approval letter which functions as an official permission allowing you to board the flight and have visa stamped at the arrival airport in Vietnam. You will need to submit your Vietnam approval letter together with your passport (at least 6 months validity), one passport-sized photo, entry and exit form and stamping fee to the Immigration Officers at the airport to have visa stamped onto your passport.

+Is visa on arrival legitimate?

Yes it is. Visa on arrival is an alternative way to get your visa to Vietnam. Also the IATA (International Air Traffic Association) has recognized visa on arrival. Check out the visa information sections on the following airline websites: Skyteam, Oneworld and Star Alliance.
Other governments also recognize visa on arrival as a legitimate travel document, such as the U.S. Department of State and the British Embassy in Hanoi:
“In order to enter Vietnam, you will need a valid passport with at least six months validity remaining and a Vietnamese visa, a visa exemption document, or a written approval letter for a visa upon arrival. To obtain a written approval letter to enter, you must contact a travel agency prior to departure.”

+What is visa approval letter

“Visa approval letter” is a document issued by Vietnam Immigration Department (Vietnam Ministry of Public Security). It functions as an official permission allowing its owner(s) to board the flight to Vietnam and get visa stamped onto the passport upon arrival at Vietnam airport.
Please find the visa approval letter sample processed by e-visasvietnam.com.

+How long does it take to get visa approval letter?

The approval letter is processed and emailed you within two (02) working days (excepts Saturday, Sunday and public holiday).
In urgent cases, you are able to get the approval letter within 8 hours, 4 hours, 2 hours or even 1 hour.
For emergency visa processing at the weekend (Saturday, Sunday) or public holiday, please contact us.
The visa counters at Vietnamese airports open 24 hours x 7 days. If you already have the visa approval letter, you can pick up your visa at Vietnam airports anytime.

+How do I receive approval letter?

A colour scanned copy of the approval letter (in PDF or JPG format) will be sent to your email. Please make sure that your correct email registered and you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to open the file.

+How does visa approval letter look like?

Please find the visa approval letter sample processed by e-visasvietnam.com.

+Is there any exception with visa on arrival?

Visa on arrival is just valid for those who enter Vietnam by air. For land and cruise entry, please visit a Vietnam Embassy or Consulates to get your visa before your departure. There are three international airports in Vietnam that you can get your visa stamp with visa approval letter including: Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Da Nang Airport (Da Nang).

+Is the passport copy required?

Normally, passport scan is not required. However in some cases, the Vietnam Immigration Department may request for your passport copy to verify your information before giving the approval.

+Do I need photo and what is the size?

Photos are required upon arrival airports only, thus please remember to bring at least 2 photos of standard passport size (04×06 cm). If you do not have time to prepare those photos before your departure, you can also have it taken at a Vietnamese airports for about 2 USD/ photo.

+Should I provide exact date of entry

The arrival date you provide should be the earliest date you plan to arrive. You can actually arrive after that date without any problem. Please note that a later entry is allowed but an earlier entry is not. In case you change your plan and want to enter Vietnam earlier than the granted arrival date, you must apply for a new visa approval letter. Moreover, the date of expiry is the last day you are permitted to be in the country, unless you apply for a visa extension.

+What is the procedure at arrival airport?

At arrival airport in Vietnam, you will need to prepare a printed visa approval letter (color preferred but not mandatory; black and white accepted), your passport, a passport-sized photo and the stamping fee to present at the Immigration Counter. You will need also to fill out the Entry and exit form for customs clearance. The procedures will take you about 20 – 30 minutes or longer depends on the number of flights arriving at the same time.

+How long in advance should I apply for Vietnam visa?

Although it takes only 1 or 2 working days for visa approval letter completed, you should apply for a visa 1 or 2 weeks before your date of entry just in case a long public holiday might affect to your visa application.

+How much does visa on arrival cost?

The visa approval fee differs based on the length of stay, type of entry and processing time.
You can find the detailed visa fee for your reference here. Please kindly contact us if you may have any questions.

+What is visa stamping fee?

Stamping fee is a fee you need to pay for the visa stamp at arrival airport. This is fix amount to pay for the government service and collected by the Immigration Officers at visa desk in cash (USD or VND).
Visa stamping fee at the airport varies on your visa type. The stamping fee as below :
+ $25 for single entry visa, from 1 to 3 months single visa;
+ $50 for less than 6 months multiple entries visa;
+ $95 for 6 months multiple entries visa to less than 1 year multiple entries;
+ $135 for 1 year multiple entries visa.
Notice: The stamping fee can be changed as the regulation of the Vietnam Ministry of Finance.
For your convenience, you should prepare cash to pay stamping fee before entering Vietnam because you cannot pay by credit card, and there is no international ATM inside the airport.

+Can I get visa on arrival if I travel by land or sea?

No, visa on arrival is not available for land or sea entry. In this case you will need to apply for e-visa instead. You can travel Vietnam via twenty eight (26) entry gates including 6 international airports, 13 international border gates on land and 7 seaports across Vietnam. Learn how e-visa for Vietnam work?

Apply visa on arrival

+What is Vietnam e-visa?

This is newly visa type issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department via electronic system. This visa type has been officially launched since February 1st, 2017 and applicable for the citizens of 46 countries. Electronic visa is valid for maximum of 30 days, as single entry visa.

+What document is required for Vietnam e-visa?

Below are the documents that need to be scanned and uploaded with your application.
– Recent passport sized photo;
– Passport front page;

+Can I get e-visa if I travel via border gate on land or sea port?

Yes, you can. You can get e-visa for Vietnam at twenty eight (28) entry gates including 8 international airports, 13 international border gates and 7 seaports across Vietnam

+Can I use Vietnam e-visa for my business trip?

Yes, you can. Vietnam e-visa is applicable for the following purposes of entry: aid activities/ business activities/ diplomat/ humanitarian work/ internship/ investment/ journalism/ labor/ official visit/ study/ conference/ teaching/ tourism/ transit/ visiting relatives/ working;

+How long does it take to complete e-visa?

Normally, it takes 3 – 5 working days to complete your e-visa.

+Can I apply for emergency e-visa for Vietnam?

No, you cannot! For emergency entry, you will need a visa on arrival instead.

+What should I do if I do not receive e-visa within 5 days?

If you apply e-visa through our website, you will be updated on your visa status. In case your e-visa is denied by the Vietnam Immigration Department, we will immediately contact you via phone or email. We can try again with visa on arrival with a hope that your visa will be approved.
If you apply e-visa by yourself, kindly contact the Vietnam Immigration Department via phone or email. You could also try with visa on arrival if you do not receive e-visa within 5 working days.

+Who is eligible for Vietnam e-visa?

Since February 1st 2017, the Government of Vietnam has launched new e-visa system. The new e-visa process simplifies the procedures to enter Vietnam by allowing travellers to apply for a visa online directly. Hence, there is no more need to apply for an “approval letter”, which require to queue, process and pay an additional stamp for “visa on arrival” once arrived in Vietnam. At the first stage, e-visa is eligible for the citizens of 46 countries.

+What should I do if I am not eligible for Vietnam e-visa?

From 1 February 2017, the citizens from 46 countries are eligible to apply for the 30 days (single entry) e-visas for Vietnam. If you are not in the list, you don’t worry. There are 2 remaining alternatives for you to apply for Vietnam visa. You can apply for visa at the Vietnam Embassy or apply for Vietnam visa on arrival instead.

+How does e-visa look like?

Pleas see the sample of Vietnam e-visa issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department provided by e-visasvietnam.com

+Do I have to pay stamping fee on arrival for e-visa?

No, you don’t. You just need to pay total 45 USD once you apply for e-visa.

+Can I enter Vietnam at another entry point than mentioned in my e-visa?

No, you must arrive at the entry point mentioned on your e-visa. If you arrive at another border gates, your entry to Vietnam may be refused.

Apply electronic visa