I. Vietnam visa on arrival

For foreigners who are on demand for arriving to Vietnam in the purpose of doing bussiness,  studying, researching or traveling , the process of getting a Vietnam visa is now much easier and faster than ever before. Instead of the traditional way – getting visa at Vietnam Embassy, foreigners can try a new much more convenient and comfortable option which is to apply for Vietnam visa online.

With this new applying visa option, applicants will get their approval letter via email, then bring them to Immigration Counter at arrival airport in Vietnam to get Vietnam visa stamped ( 3 Vietnam international airports include Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang international airport at Da Nang city).

II. Visa on arrival fees

There are two types of fees when applying Vietnam visa online:

1. Service fee:

This fee will be paid directly to the agent for assisting you in processing and submitting your application to Vietnam Immigration Department and getting Vietnam visa approval letter

2. Stamping fee:

Stamping fee is the fee that you will pay directly to the Immigration Counter at arrival airport in Vietnam to have visa stamped on your passport. You will pay this fee by cash either in USD or VND. The fee varies according to the kind of Vietnam visa (45$ for one month or three month single entry visa; 65$ for one month multiple entry visa, and 95$ for three month multiple entry visa).

III. How to apply Vietnam visa on arrival:

After accessing online visa website, fill all the necessary information in the application form and make payment for service fee, the applicants will get visa approval letter after 2 working days for normal service or even 4 working hours for urgent service. Finally, applicants just have to print out the letter and show them at Immigration Counter in arrival airport to get visa stamped.

IV. The procedure at Vietnam international airport.

The procedure of getting a visa stamp will be different according to the airport.

Tan San Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City: When you enter the Immigration hall, the VOA situated in your left hand side, at the far end. The Immigration Counter is named “Landing Visa”.  When you reach the Landing Visa, you must handle your passport, one copy of Entry and Exit form, the visa approval letter, one passport size photo. Then you should go back and sit down. Waiting in some minutes, your name will be called when your visa is already completed. After you visa is already done, you have to pay the stamp fee and get visa stick on your passport.

Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi: The VOA office is situated on the left of Immigration hall. You have to hand in your passport, approval letter at the counter and get an Entry and Exit form (if you have not yet downloaded it before). Then walk along the right hand side to the counter and wait for your called name. After paying the stamp fee, give the immigration officer your filled Entry and Exit form, passport photo, he/she will return you your passport and the receipt.

Da Nang international airport in Da Nang City: You get into the Immigration hall, then find VOA window (very easy to find), after receiving your passport with visa, everyone have to queue up together in long line before Immigration Control. There is no segregation between Vietnamese people and other nationalities.

V. Visa extension

Many individuals who come to Vietnam would like to extend their visa. Very often, the extension will be given based on your duration you ask, however the maximum of duration for extension you can ask is only 3 months. The fee will be varied depending on the first entry point and the number of months that you want to extend.

Please note that you should apply for an extension of stay within the last week of the current visa’s validity because the process may take up to10 working days.

VI. Some tips when applying for Vietnam visa on arrival

Firstly, do not worry when you see other names on the same letter. The letter of approval is issued separately for each application, however, in some cases (during high seasons and urgent processing requests), it is issued on a shared basis for all applicants who apply for a visa at the same time or same date of arrival based on the Immigration Department sole decision.

Secondly, please fill carefully and exactly your surname, given name, passport number and arrival date to Vietnam because once the visa approval letter has been issued, you cannot make any change but applying a new one. Besides, you will not be allowed to enter Vietnam before the arrival date shown on the approval letter.

VII. Visa Exemption:

Citizens of certain countries will be exempted from visa for short visit:

Citizens of Brunei will be exempted from visa for staying not more than 14 days

Citizens of Japan, South Korean, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Russian Federation will be exempted from visa for staying not more than 15 days

Citizens of Phillipines will be exempted from visa for staying not more than 21 days

Citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos will be exempted from visa for staying not more than 30 days

For those who travel to Phu Quoc Island will be exempted for 15 days of stay. If visitors wish to stay longer or travel from Phu Quoc to other regions of Vietnam, Vietnam Immigration Department will be accountable for granting Vietnam visa right on the spot.