Visa on arrival most updated news 2023

The Vietnam visa on arrival process, fees, and validity have to undergone significant changes following the Covid pandemic. It is essential to obtain information regarding these changes to effectively plan your stay in Vietnam.

In the past, Visa on Arrival used to be a widely-used and uncomplicated form of Vietnam visa available to applicants from all over the world. Nevertheless, due to Covid, Vietnam Immigration has imposed certain limitations on this visa category.

In this article, we aim to explain the modifications made to Vietnam Visa on Arrival pre- and post-Covid, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to obtain Vietnam Visa on Arrival in 2023 with the most recent process and fees.

Who is eligible for VOA?

If you are not from one of the 80 countries eligible for Vietnam E-visa, then you can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) through a trustworthy travel agent.

The travel agent will act on your behalf to obtain the VOA from the Vietnam Immigration Department. This type of visa can be obtained upon arrival at the airport and is only applicable for air travelers coming to Vietnam.

VOA is particularly beneficial for those who reside far from the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in their respective countries. Applicants are not required to visit the Embassy or send their passport, and can simply pick up their visa upon arrival.

Please see the list of countries below for nationalities that are not eligible for Vietnam E-visa, but can only obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA):

Afghanistan Algeria Antigua & Barbuda Aruba Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Botswana Burkina Faso Cote d'Ivoire Chad China Costa Rica Ecuador Egypt El Salvador

Gabon Georgia Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Honduras Iran Iraq Israel Jamaica Jordan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Libya Lithuania Malawi Maldives Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nepal Nicaragua

Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Qatar Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent & Grenadines Saudi Arabia South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Togo Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turkey Uzbekistan Yemen Zambia

 

Also, for travelers who need a multiple-entry visa, VOA may be the better option. The E-visa option only permits a single entry for 30 days, so those from the list of 80 qualified countries may wish to consider VOA if they need a multiple-entry visa for their stay in Vietnam.

What is the procedure and what documents are required for applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival in 2023?

To apply for a Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA), you can follow these steps:

 

Step 1: Find a reliable travel agency: Look for a trustworthy travel agency that offers VOA services. Make sure to choose one that has positive reviews and a good reputation online. It's important to note that you can't apply for VOA directly with Vietnam Immigration Department.

 

Step 2: Submit required documents: Once you have found a reliable agency, you will need to provide your personal details, such as a copy of your passport (with at least 6 months of validity), travel history, flight ticket reservation (booking without payment), hotel reservation, and travel plan in Vietnam.

 

Step 3: Get informed about the fee: The agency will review your details and inform you about the specific fee according to your nationality, processing time, and visa validity.

 

Step 4: Receive the visa approval letter: Once your payment is confirmed, the agency will process your application and send you the visa approval letter via email. This typically takes 5-12 working days to process, depending on specific cases.

 

Step 5: Print and prepare necessary documents: When you receive the visa approval letter, print it out and prepare the necessary documents, including the entry and exit form, one passport photo, and the visa stamping fee (in cash).

 

Step 6: Get the visa stamped upon arrival: Upon arrival at the Vietnam airport, submit your visa approval letter, entry and exit form, passport photo, and visa stamping fee to the immigration officer, who will then stamp your Vietnam visa sticker into your passport.

 

How much does VOA cost?

There are two fees that applicants need to pay for Vietnam visa on arrival:

1. visa approval fee: varies depending on the type of visa, your nationality, and the agency you choose.
2. stamping fee: must be paid in cash upon arrival at the Vietnam airport. It costs $25 US for a single entry and $50 US for multiple entries.

How long can I get for my visa (VOA)?

As for the validity of a VOA, it can be valid from 10 to 25 days depending on the documents provided and the specific request. For more information about your case, it is best to contact the travel agency directly through Whatsapp at +84.343.989.086

BUSINESS VIETNAM VISA ON ARRIVAL IN 2023

Before Covid, it was easy to get a business visa for Vietnam for up to a year through visa service providers (US Citizens). However, nowadays, you need a sponsor company in Vietnam to obtain a business visa, and the maximum duration for a business visa is only three months. Travel agencies cannot assist with obtaining a business visa.

Once the sponsor company obtains the visa approval letter, you will need to print it and bring it with you to the airport along with your passport and two passport-sized photos. You will also need to pay the stamping fee, which varies based on the length of stay and type of visa, and can range from $25 to $135 USD.

Note that the stamping fee can only be paid in cash. It can take up to two weeks to obtain a business visa, so it is recommended to apply well in advance of your travel dates.

 

Frequently asked questions for VOA

Is it necessary to purchase a tour package in order to obtain approval for a Vietnam visa on arrival?

Different visa agencies have different requirements for obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival. Some may ask you to book a tour package with them so that they can act as your sponsor and submit your visa request to Immigration, while others may not require you to book any tours but will still arrange your Vietnam visa. You should work with a reputable travel agency that can help you gather the necessary documents and sponsor letters for your visa application. The agency will then submit your application to the Vietnam Immigration Department on your behalf. It's important to note that the process and requirements for obtaining a VOA may vary depending on the agency you choose, so make sure to review their services and fees carefully before submitting your application. Additionally, you may still find on the Immigration Department's or Vietnam Embassy's website that a tour package is mandatory.

Can I get visa at Vietnam Embassy instead?

As in 2023, it is no longer feasible to acquire a Vietnam visa via an embassy. Instead, there are various alternatives for travelers. They can apply for an e-visa via the Immigration Department's website or a travel agency, or they can obtain a VOA, which entails getting a stamp at the airport, or a Visa Code, which entails getting the stamp at your country's embassy or consulate. However, it is crucial to remember that the embassy or consulate will only issue a Vietnam stamp if you possess a valid Vietnam visa approval letter. Additionally, it is important to note that a VOA/Visa Code for Vietnam can only be obtained through a Vietnamese visa agency.

Can I extend my Vietnam VOA?

Under new VN visa regulations, it’s no longer possible to extend a tourism visa on arrival (VOA) or an e-visa in Vietnam. If travelers want to stay beyond the visa's validity period, they will have to leave the country and either apply for a new visa or enter on a new one. This process is commonly known as a "visa run" and typically involves exiting to a neighboring country like Cambodia or Laos and then re-entering with a new visa. However, it's important to keep in mind that regulations and requirements may change, so it's crucial to check with the relevant authorities before planning a visa run.

 

On the other hand, if you entered Vietnam with a business visa and have a legitimate sponsor company in Vietnam, your sponsor company can still work with the Vietnam Immigration Department to extend the validity of your visa.

Can I apply for a multiple-entry visa on arrival for Vietnam?

It is feasible to request a multiple-entry visa on arrival for Vietnam, but the option to obtain such a visa may vary depending on the traveler's citizenship and the visa service provider used to secure the visa approval letter. It is recommended to confirm with the visa agency in advance if they provide multiple-entry visas for your nationality. Moreover, the duration and validity of the visa will depend on the applicant's preference and the supporting documents provided. As of the present time, a multiple-entry visa letter for tourism purposes in Vietnam has a maximum duration of 25 days, whereas for business purposes, it can last up to 90 days.

Do I need to provide a return flight ticket to apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival?

To apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival, it is not mandatory to show a return flight ticket. However, you might be asked by the immigration officer when you arrive in Vietnam to provide proof of your onward travel plans, such as a return flight ticket or itinerary indicating your travel plans after departing Vietnam. It is advisable to carry such documents to avoid any potential issues with immigration.

What happens if I overstay my Vietnam visa on arrival?

Exceeding the validity period of your Vietnam visa on arrival may result in penalties or deportation. The severity of the punishment is determined by the duration of the overstay and can range from $25 US to a substantial sum. You could be apprehended and prevented from re-entering Vietnam, in addition to the penalty. It is critical to adhere to the authorized visa period and organize your travels accordingly. If you need to remain in Vietnam beyond the duration of your visa, you must perform a visa run and depart and re-enter the country with a new Vietnam visa.

Can I get a refund if my Vietnam visa on arrival application is denied?

Different travel agencies that offer visa on arrival services have different refund policies, therefore, it's essential to carefully review the refund policy of the agency you choose before submitting your application. However, if you choose to apply for a Vietnam visa through Evisavn.com and your application is denied, we will provide you with a full refund for our visa services.

Is it safe to use a travel agency to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival?

Opting for a trustworthy travel agency to obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival is a secure and reliable method for tourists. It is necessary to conduct some investigation and pick a trustworthy agency that has a history of delivering visa approval letters promptly and providing excellent service.

Am I able to get the visa stamped at some border land ports in Vietnam?

Getting a visa stamp through a land checkpoint with a visa on arrival is only possible in a specific scenario. This is when the traveler has the physical original visa approval letter, which bears a red stamp from the Immigration Department, and presents it at the exact registered checkpoint indicated on the letter. This option is usually used by applicants who are in Vietnam and need to do a visa run.

Am I exempted from Visa to Viet Nam?

Please check the table below for the list of countries with specific amount of exempted time of stay:

Country	Duration of Visa Exemption
APEC Business Travel Card Holders	60 days
Laos	30 days
Cambodia	30 days
Thailand	30 days
Malaysia	30 days
Singapore	30 days
Indonesia	30 days
Philippines	21 days
Japan	15 days
South Korea	15 days
Sweden	15 days
Denmark	15 days
Finland	15 days
Norway	15 days
Russia	15 days
United Kingdom	15 days (max)
France	15 days (max)
Germany	15 days (max)
Spain	15 days (max)
Italy	15 days (max)
Belarus	15 days (max)
Brunei	14 days
Myanmar	14 days

Note: For those who wish to stay in Vietnam longer than the exemption duration, they are advised to apply for a visa by obtaining a Vietnam e-visa (by air, land, sea) or applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival through a Vietnam visa agency (applicable for air travelers to Vietnam only).

If you visit Phu Quoc Island directly and depart from there, you do not need a Vietnam visa if you have a valid passport. However, if you plan to visit other parts of Vietnam during your trip, you must obtain a Vietnam visa in advance and get it stamped at the first entry point.