Visa on Arrival — Vietnam

Vietnam visa on arrival means you get your visa at the airport after securing a pre‑approved letter. You have to arrange this approval in advance and enter through an eligible international airport.

What it permits

Visa on arrival lets you pick up your visa at the airport, but only if you already have a pre‑approval letter from an authorized agency recognized by the Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh).

It's an alternative to applying in advance for an e‑Visa (Electronic Visa) or getting a visa through sponsorship. You can't arrive without prior approval.

Depending on your travel purpose, the visa on arrival may be:

• Tourist Visa (DL Symbol) — tourism and short visits
• Business Visa (DN Symbol) — business activities

The maximum stay under this option is up to 30 days.

You must:

• Secure a pre‑approved visa letter before travel
• Present the required arrival form (such as Form NA6, if needed)
• Arrive through an eligible international airport

The Immigration Dept decides the visa category and length of stay based on your approved letter.

Where it's available

Visa on arrival is available only at international airports in Vietnam. It's not offered at land border crossings or seaports.

You have to enter through an airport that handles visa-on-arrival applications under the Immigration Dept’s oversight. If you try to enter at a land border without a visa, you risk being denied boarding or refused entry.

If you're entering Vietnam by land or sea, you'll need to apply for an e‑Visa (Electronic Visa) instead.

Airline staff may check for your pre‑approval letter before letting you board. If you don't have it, you may not be allowed to travel.

Quick facts

You have to complete several steps before and upon arrival.

Process overview:

1. Apply through an authorized agency for a pre‑approved letter.

2. Receive the approval issued by the Immigration Dept.

3. Travel to Vietnam by air.

4. Submit your visa on arrival form (such as NA6, if needed) at the airport.

5. Receive your visa stamp.

Key limits and conditions:

For current fees in ₫ and document requirements, refer to Immigration Dept guidance.

You pay several separate fees for a Vietnam visa on arrival. processing times depend on the visa category and case complexity. The Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) sets the official amounts and timelines. Always check current figures before you apply.

Fee breakdown

Visa on arrival has both government fees and third‑party service charges. You usually pay some fees before travel and the rest at the airport.

If you're applying for a Tourist Visa (DL Symbol) or Business Visa (DN Symbol), confirm your sponsor or agent gets proper pre‑approval. The Immigration Dept may require form Form NA6 from the sponsoring organization.

All fees are payable in Vietnamese đồng (₫). Check with the Immigration Dept for the current VND equivalents before paying or preparing cash for the airport.

Standard processing times

In most cases, visa-on-arrival approval letters are issued in 1–2 business days. This is for straightforward cases with all documentation in order.

Processing time varies depending on:

• Visa type (DL or DN symbol)
• Accuracy of your submitted details
• Office workload

Count only business days, not weekends or public holidays. The clock starts once the authority receives a full request with sponsor documents.

If you want certainty before travel, wait for the approval letter before you board. Airlines may refuse boarding if you don't have it.

Longer or special-case timelines

Complex cases take longer. Exit visa processing, if needed, usually takes 1–2 business days, but some cases can stretch to one to two additional weeks.

Delays are common when:

• Sponsor documents need verification
• Form NA6 is incomplete
• The Immigration Dept needs extra review

Processing times can also differ by location and visa category. Business visas with corporate sponsors may require more internal review.

Confirm current timelines with the Immigration Department of Vietnam before committing to travel.

You need official approval before you travel to Vietnam for a visa on arrival. Without prior authorization, the Immigration Dept won't let you get a visa at the airport.

Pre-approval requirement

Vietnam visa on arrival isn't available unless you have advance authorization arranged through an approved channel in Vietnam. You must get a pre-approval letter from an authorized business or travel agency in Vietnam.

You can't apply on your own at the airport without this document. The approval must be secured before departure.

Key requirement:

• Pre-approval letter arranged by an authorized business or travel agency in Vietnam

The Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) relies on this approval to process visa on arrival at the port of entry.

This applies whether you're requesting:

• Tourist Visa (DL Symbol)
• Business Visa (DN Symbol)

If you don't have pre-approval, you'll need to look at alternatives such as the e-Visa (Electronic Visa).

Consequences of missing requirements

Airlines and immigration officers expect you to show a valid pre-approval letter on arrival. If you travel without it, the Immigration Dept will deny you entry under the visa on arrival process.

You can't fix this at the airport.

Common consequences:

1. Refusal to issue the visa on arrival

2. Denial of entry into Vietnam

3. Requirement to depart

The Immigration Dept doesn't waive the pre-approval requirement at the port of entry. Arriving without proper authorization makes you immediately ineligible for visa on arrival.

If you fail to get pre-approval, you'll need to obtain a valid visa through another authorized method before traveling again.

Some Vietnam visa on arrival cases go beyond basic paperwork. Qualified guidance is needed when your filing involves formal submissions to the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) (Immigration Dept) or legal issues that extend past a standard entry request.

When to consult an expert

Consult an expert if your application requires official forms filed directly with the Immigration Dept, like Form Form NA6. Mistakes on government filings can delay or block approval.

Legal advice is also important if you’re involved in a local investigation. Your role during and after an investigation can affect how authorities review your immigration record.

You’ll also need guidance if your case involves victim compensation programs in the United States. These issues require separate procedures and documentation that may overlap with your immigration history.

Use professional help if:

• You must submit Form NA6 to the Immigration Dept
• You have a documented role in a local investigation
• You are pursuing or have pursued victim compensation programs in the United States
• Your prior filings contain inconsistent or incomplete information

Who handles these applications

The Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) processes formal immigration filings, including applications for visa categories such as:

When you file structured forms like NA6, you submit them to the Immigration Dept. This authority reviews your documentation and decides if your application meets regulatory requirements.

Immigration professionals, including licensed immigration lawyers or accredited consultants in Vietnam, prepare and review submissions before filing. They help you avoid procedural mistakes but don’t replace the Immigration Dept’s authority.

Other legal/assistance information

If you’re identified as a victim or participant in a local investigation, clarify your legal position before filing any Vietnam visa on arrival paperwork. Authorities may review your involvement and its outcome.

If your case includes information about compensation programs in the United States, confirm how participation is documented. Keep official records of decisions, conclusions, or compensation determinations.

Before submitting documents to the Immigration Dept:

1. Review all prior statements for consistency.

2. Confirm that investigation outcomes are formally recorded.

3. Ensure your visa category (DL, DN, or e-Visa) matches your actual purpose of entry.

Professional review helps lower the risk of omissions or conflicting information in your file.

Consular officers review your file to confirm your documents match the visa purpose you selected and that you meet the qualifications. They also check that your request fits the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) (Immigration Dept) requirements.

Documents and qualifications

You must submit documents that match your requested visa type. Officers compare your paperwork with your stated purpose, such as a Tourist Visa (DL Symbol) or Business Visa (DN Symbol).

They review whether your civil documents and academic qualifications support your planned activities in Vietnam. This is especially relevant if your visit involves work.

Officers typically check:

• Valid civil documents confirming your identity
• Academic qualifications related to your intended work or professional activity
• Consistency between your visa category and supporting documents
• Properly completed arrival paperwork, such as Form NA6, if applicable

If your documents don’t clearly support your declared purpose, the officer may question your eligibility. Incomplete or inconsistent records slow down review and increase the risk of refusal.

Approval is not guaranteed

Applying for visa on arrival doesn’t guarantee approval. Officers make an independent decision after reviewing your file.

Pre-approval steps don’t automatically lead to visa issuance. The final decision depends on whether your documents meet the Immigration Dept’s standards.

Officers may refuse your visa if:

• Your documents don’t match your stated purpose
• Your qualifications don’t support the work or activity described
• Required forms or records are incomplete

Prepare your application carefully. You must show that you qualify for the visa category you request.

When documents relate to other visa types

Officers expect your documents and visa symbol to line up. If your paperwork reflects work-related functions but you apply for a Tourist Visa (DL Symbol), that raises concerns.

Submitting academic qualifications and employment-related civil documents while requesting tourist entry may indicate you need a Business Visa (DN Symbol) instead.

Common mismatches include:

• Work credentials submitted with a tourism request
• Business documentation attached to an e-Visa (Electronic Visa) application intended for leisure
• Forms such as NA6 reflecting a purpose different from the selected visa symbol

When your documents fit another visa category, officers may decline the current request. Select the correct visa type from the start and make sure every document supports that specific purpose.