Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) Instructions: A Complete Guide 2026

If you are planning to travel to Vietnam and intend to receive your visa at the airport, it is important to understand how Vietnam visa on arrival works before departure. Visa on arrival remains available in certain cases, but it is not a visa that can be requested after landing without prior approval.

The information below explains who may use visa on arrival, the documents involved, the fees that may apply, and the procedures after arrival.

1. What is Vietnam visa on arrival?

Vietnam visa on arrival is a pre-arranged visa process that allows a visa sticker or visa stamp to be issued after arrival at an international airport in Vietnam.

This process normally has two stages:

Stage	What you need to do
Before departure	A valid visa approval letter must be obtained through a sponsor, a travel company, or a visa agency in Vietnam.
After arrival	The approval letter and supporting documents must be presented at the visa-on-arrival counter at the airport in Vietnam.

If you do not have a valid visa approval letter before departure, you will not be allowed to board the plane or receive a visa on arrival.

2. Who can use Vietnam visa on arrival?

Visa on arrival is used by travellers who enter Vietnam by air and already have a sponsor, visa agency, or another pre-arranged approval process in place.

Visa on arrival may be considered in the following situations:

Situation	Remarks
You are travelling for tourism through a Vietnamese tour operator or visa agent	Your trip is arranged in advance through a local company or support service.
You are travelling for business with sponsorship from a company in Vietnam	The sponsor may arrange the approval process for you.
You need urgent visa support before departure	Some agencies can arrange urgent or emergency approval letters.
Your case cannot be handled through the normal e-visa route	Visa on arrival may be used as an alternative in specific cases.

Please note: Visa on arrival is for airport entry only. It cannot be used for land-border or seaport entry.

3. Airports where visa on arrival is available

Visa on arrival may normally be collected at the following international airports in Vietnam:

Airport	Location
Noi Bai International Airport	Ha Noi
Tan Son Nhat International Airport	Ho Chi Minh City
Da Nang International Airport	Da Nang
Cam Ranh International Airport	Khanh Hoa
Cat Bi International Airport	Hai Phong
Can Tho International Airport	Can Tho
Lien Khuong International Airport	Da Lat
Phu Quoc International Airport	Phu Quoc

If your arrival airport changes after the approval is issued, it is advisable to confirm the change with your sponsor or visa agency before travel.

4. How to apply for an approval letter

If you intend to use visa on arrival, the following steps must be completed before and after departure.

Step	Procedure
Step 1	Confirm whether visa on arrival is the appropriate option for your trip.
Step 2	Apply in advance for the visa approval letter through a sponsor, travel company, or visa agency in Vietnam.
Step 3	Receive the approval letter by email and check all personal details carefully.
Step 4	Print the approval letter and prepare your passport, photos, forms, and cash for the stamping fee. (Download entry/exit form here)
Step 5	Present the approval letter at airline check-in if requested.
Step 6	After landing in Vietnam, go to the visa-on-arrival counter before the main immigration checkpoint.
Step 7	Submit your documents, pay the stamping fee, and collect your visa before proceeding to immigration.

5. Required documents

The following documents are needed for the visa on arrival process.

Document	Requirement
Passport	An original passport valid for at least 6 months, with sufficient blank pages for the visa and entry stamps.
Visa approval letter	A printed copy of the valid visa approval letter.
Passport-sized photo	Passport-sized photo(s), where required by the airport procedure.
Completed entry or visa form	The relevant form, where applicable.
Cash for stamping fee	Cash in USD or VND, depending on the applicable fee.
Supporting travel documents	Return or onward ticket and accommodation details, if requested.

All important documents are best kept in hand luggage rather than in checked baggage.

6. Fees for Vietnam visa on arrival

In visa-on-arrival cases, two separate fees may apply.

Approval-letter or service fee

This is the amount charged by the sponsor, visa company, or travel agency arranging the approval letter. It is separate from the airport stamping fee.

Type of visa	1-2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people	Stamping fee
Single 1 month	US$19	US$17	US$15	US$13	US$25
Single 3 months	US$29	US$25	US$22	US$20	US$25
Multiple 1 month	US$22	US$20	US$18	US$14	US$50
Multiple 3 months	US$44	US$39	US$34	US$29	US$50
Multiple 12 months (U.S. passport)	US$51	US$46	US$41	US$36	US$135

Airport stamping fee

Visa type	Stamping fee
Single-entry visa	US$25
Multiple-entry visa	US$50
12-month multiple-entry visa for U.S. passport holders	US$135

The exact service fee depends on the sponsor or visa agency arranging the approval letter.

7. Processing time

The visa on arrival process involves two separate stages: approval-letter processing before departure and visa stamping at the airport after arrival.

Stage	Estimated time
Approval-letter processing	Normally 3 to 5 working days
Urgent processing	1 working day
Super urgent processing	1 to 4 working hours
Weekend or holiday emergency support	4 to 8 working hours from 8:00 AM
Airport stamping procedure	Usually 15 to 30 minutes under normal conditions

The actual waiting time at the airport depends on queue length, arrival volume, and whether the documents submitted are complete and accurate.

8. What happens after you land in Vietnam?

After arrival, the visa-on-arrival process is completed in the following order.

Step	Airport procedure
1	Proceed to the visa-on-arrival counter.
2	Submit the passport, approval letter, photos, form, and other relevant documents.
3	Wait for your name to be called.
4	Pay the airport stamping fee.
5	Receive the passport with the visa sticker or visa stamp.
6	Proceed to the immigration checkpoint for entry clearance.

During peak periods, the waiting time at the airport may be longer.

9. Can you travel to Vietnam first and arrange the visa after landing?

No. A valid visa approval letter is needed before departure. Airlines may request this document at check-in, and boarding may be refused if it cannot be presented.

10. Can you change your arrival date after the approval letter is issued?

No. Once the approval letter has been issued, it cannot be amended. All submitted information should therefore be checked carefully before the approval letter is processed.

11. Can a visa on arrival be extended in Vietnam?

In some cases, an extension can be arranged after arrival. If extension support is needed, it is advisable to handle it through the same agency or sponsor that arranged the approval letter.

12. Important points to remember

Point	Remarks
Approval letter	All details should be checked carefully before travel. Even a small error may cause problems at the airport.
Printed documents	Printed copies are advisable. Electronic copies on a phone alone may not be sufficient.
Cash payment	Cash is normally needed for the airport stamping fee.
Airport entry only	Visa on arrival is not the normal route for land-border or seaport entry.
Family travel	All passport details and related documents should be reviewed carefully before departure.
e-Visa option	If eligible, the e-visa may be the simpler option as it avoids airport visa stamping procedures.
Purpose of use	Visa on arrival is intended for short tourism or business visits and is not suitable for work or long-term residence.

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