What is a Visa on Arrival Vietnam? How to Get a VOA in 2026

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam but too busy to visit the Embassy and queue up for a visa? Visa on Arrival Vietnam (visa picked up at the airport) is the perfect solution for you.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the A-Z of the process, requirements, and crucial notes to ensure you secure your visa smoothly in 2026.

What is a Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a visa format where foreigners receive and get their visa stamps directly at Vietnam’s international airports upon landing, rather than applying in advance at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

The differences between VOA and E-visa (Electronic Visa)

Many travelers often confuse these two options. Let’s clearly differentiate them:

• E-visa (Electronic Visa): You apply, pay, and receive your full visa online. Upon arrival at the airport, you can proceed directly to the immigration passport control queue.
• Visa on Arrival (VOA): This process strictly requires you to obtain a Visa Approval Letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department before your flight. Upon landing, you present this letter at the “Landing Visa” counter to pay the fee and get the visa stamp in your passport.

The differences between Visa on Arrival and E-visa

Why choose a Visa on Arrival over a Traditional Visa?

Saves Time and Effort

You do not need to prepare physical application packages, mail your original passport, or waste time traveling and waiting in lines at the Embassy.

The Perfect Solution for Remote Travelers

 If you live in an area without a Vietnamese diplomatic representative office, VOA allows you to complete 100% of the procedures online before your flight.

Excellent for Emergencies

In urgent situations where you need to enter the country quickly for business or family reasons, VOA approval letter services can be completed in just a few working hours.

Requirements and required documents for VOA

To ensure a smooth visa stamping process at the airport, you need to carefully prepare the following core documents:

• Original Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Vietnam and have at least 2 blank pages for the visa stamp.
• Passport Photos: 2 photos sized 4x6cm (white background, clear face, no sunglasses, ears not covered by hair).
• Form NA1: The Vietnamese Visa Application Form. You can download and fill it out in advance to save time, or pick one up directly at the airport.
• The Most Crucial Element – The Visa Approval Letter: This is the legal document that permits you to board your flight to Vietnam and receive your visa at the airport. You cannot apply for this letter on your own as an individual; you must go through a reputable travel agency or sponsor company in Vietnam to submit the application to the Immigration Department.

3-step process to get your visa at Vietnam International airports

The most accurate process to obtain a visa on arrival Vietnam today involves 3 incredibly simple steps:

Step 1: Apply for the Visa Approval Letter Online

Contact a reputable visa service provider in Vietnam. Provide your passport details, your expected arrival date, and pay the service fee for processing the application.

Step 2: Receive the Approval Letter via Email and Print It Out

After about 2 – 3 working days (or faster if you opt for urgent service), you will receive the Approval Letter as a PDF file via email. What you need to do is print this letter out (either in black-and-white or color) to present to the airline during check-in and at the visa counter in Vietnam.

Step 3: Get Your Visa Stamped Upon Arrival

When your flight lands at an international airport in Vietnam, follow the signs to the “Visa on Arrival” or “Landing Visa” counter (located right before the passport control area).

Here, you will submit: Passport + Approval Letter + Completed Form NA1 + 2 passport photos. Wait for your name to be called, pay the Stamping Fee, and collect your passport with the newly stamped Vietnam visa.

3 steps to get your visa on arrival Vietnam

List of airports supporting VOA

Please note that Visa on Arrival Vietnam only applies to travelers arriving by air. Currently, the following major international airports feature 24/7 VOA support counters:

• Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)
• Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang)
• Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc Island)
• Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)

Note: If you enter Vietnam by land (via border checkpoints) or by sea, you must obtain a traditional visa or an E-visa in advance. VOA will not be accepted at these entry points.

Important notes on the stamping fee

To avoid unnecessary hassles at the “Landing Visa” counter, keep the following regulations regarding the stamping fee in mind:

• The stamping fee is a mandatory fee paid directly to the immigration officers at the airport (this is separate from the service fee you paid online for the approval letter).
• Reference Rates: $25 USD for a 1-month or 3-month single-entry visa; $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa.
• Payment Method: Only cash is accepted (US Dollars – USD or Vietnamese Dong – VND). Credit cards are not accepted at this counter. Therefore, please prepare cash in USD beforehand with crisp, clean bills that are not torn or crumpled.

Visa on Arrival Vietnam is a flexible, convenient, and time-saving method for your journey to the beautiful S-shaped land. The ultimate key to a seamless process is securing a legal and timely Visa Approval Letter.

Are you preparing your documents to visit Vietnam? Do you want to receive an express, reliable Visa Approval Letter without any procedural hassles?

Contact us today for a consultation on the fastest and most accurate Visa Approval Letter service!

VNAIR TRADE & SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED

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