Visa on Arrival Vietnam: How It Works in 2026
“Visa on arrival” in Vietnam does not mean you can simply turn up at the airport and buy a visa. You first need a visa approval letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, arranged through a sponsor before you fly. With that letter in hand, the visa is stamped into your passport at the landing visa counter when you arrive. This guide explains who should use this route, how to get the letter, what to bring and what it costs.
Visa on arrival, e-visa or visa exemption: which one do you need?
Before arranging a visa on arrival, check whether you need a visa at all:
- Visa exemption – citizens of around 40 countries (including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Nordic countries, Japan, South Korea and most ASEAN states) can enter visa-free for 14 to 90 days depending on nationality. The list changes often, so check the latest rules before travelling.
- E-visa – open to all nationalities, valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and usable at every international air, land and sea border gate. For most tourists this is the simplest option. See our Vietnam e-visa application guide.
- Visa on arrival (approval letter) – the better choice when you need a business, work, investment or family visa symbol, a validity the e-visa cannot give, an urgent approval within hours, or when your e-visa was refused or is taking too long.
For a full comparison of every route, read How to Get a Vietnam Visa: The Complete Route Map.
Who can use visa on arrival?
Any foreigner holding a valid passport can obtain a visa on arrival, provided that:
- a Vietnamese company, organisation or relative sponsors the application (a licensed visa service can arrange sponsorship for tourist and business trips);
- the passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the entry date and has at least two blank pages;
- you are not on an entry ban list;
- you arrive by air at an international airport named in the approval letter.
How to get a visa on arrival in 4 steps
- Prepare the details. Send a scan of your passport bio page, your entry date, the airport of arrival, the purpose of the trip and whether you need single or multiple entry.
- The sponsor files the application. The sponsor submits form NA2 to the Vietnam Immigration Department. Companies must have registered their seal and signature (form NA16) beforehand. See how to fill form NA2.
- Receive the approval letter. Processing normally takes 2–5 working days; urgent processing takes about 1–2 working days (see our urgent Vietnam visa service). The letter is sent to you by email – print it out.
- Get the visa stamped at the airport. On arrival, go to the “Landing Visa” / “Visa on Arrival” counter before immigration control, hand in your documents, pay the stamping fee and collect your passport with the visa.
The full legal procedure is explained in Vietnam Visa Approval Letter: Full Procedure Step by Step.
Airports where you can collect a visa on arrival
Visa on arrival is issued at international airports only – not at land borders or seaports. The main airports are:
- Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport – Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang International Airport
- Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), Phu Quoc and Cat Bi (Hai Phong) international airports
The airport written in your approval letter must match the airport you actually land at. If your plans change, ask your sponsor to amend the letter before you fly.
Documents to bring on arrival
- Original passport (valid 6+ months)
- Printed copy of the visa approval letter
- Entry and exit form NA1 – available at the counter, or fill it in before you fly
- Two passport photos, 4×6 cm, white background, no glasses
- Stamping fee in cash (US dollars recommended)
Airlines may ask to see the approval letter at check-in, so keep a copy in your hand luggage.
Visa on arrival Vietnam fees
There are two separate costs:
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Approval letter service fee | Varies by visa type, validity and urgency | Your sponsor / visa service, before travel |
| Stamping fee – single entry | 25 USD | Immigration officer at the airport, in cash |
| Stamping fee – multiple entry (up to 3 months) | 50 USD | Immigration officer at the airport, in cash |
Our current prices for approval letters are listed on the Vietnam visa approval letter service page.
How long does a visa on arrival last?
A tourist visa (symbol DL) collected at the airport is usually valid for 1 or 3 months, single or multiple entry. Business (DN), work (LD), investment (DT) and family visit (TT) visas are also arranged through an approval letter; longer validities are often issued at a Vietnamese embassy abroad or converted to a temporary residence card after entry. To stay longer than your visa allows, see the Vietnam visa extension procedure.
Tips to avoid problems at the airport
- Check that your name, date of birth, nationality and passport number in the letter match your passport exactly. One wrong letter can mean refusal.
- Do not arrive before the entry date stated in the letter.
- Bring exact change in US dollars – counters may not accept cards or give change.
- Expect queues of 30–60 minutes at peak times in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. An airport fast track service can handle the stamping queue for you.
- Only use a sponsor you trust – a fake approval letter will be rejected at the counter.
Frequently asked questions
Is visa on arrival still available in Vietnam in 2026?
Yes. Visa on arrival via an approval letter remains a legal entry route, alongside the e-visa and visa exemption.
Can I get a visa on arrival without an approval letter?
No. Without a pre-approved letter the airline may refuse boarding and the immigration counter will not issue a visa.
Can I use visa on arrival at a land border?
No. Visa on arrival is only issued at international airports. If you enter by land, use an e-visa or collect your visa at a Vietnamese embassy.
How fast can I get the approval letter?
Standard processing takes 2–5 working days. Urgent requests usually take about 1–2 working days.
What happens if my visa on arrival is refused?
Refusals are rare when the letter details are correct. The most common reasons are mismatched passport details, an expired passport or a previous overstay. You would normally be put on a return flight.
Need an approval letter?
Info Travel arranges visa approval letters for tourism, business, work, investment and family visits, and can meet you at the airport to handle stamping. Request your approval letter or contact us for urgent cases.
