01
Check if e-visa already covers your case
For the large majority of travelers, the e-visa is simpler, cheaper, and works at more entry points — we check this first before considering visa on arrival at all.
Visa on Arrival
Is Vietnam visa on arrival still available?
Technically yes, for most nationalities entering by air — but it's no longer the main route. The e-visa has replaced it for the majority of travelers. Here's what still applies.
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Overview
How visa on arrival actually works
Visa on arrival requires a pre-approval letter obtained before you fly, then a visa stamp collected at the airport. It remains technically valid for most nationalities entering by air, but the e-visa has become the standard, recommended process for the large majority of travelers since it's cheaper for single entry, fully online, and works at every port — not just airports.
- Apply for an approval letter before you fly — visa on arrival is not a walk-up process
- Air entry only — it does not work at land or sea borders
- Collect your visa stamp at the airport immigration counter on arrival
- Pay a separate stamping fee in cash at the airport, on top of the approval letter cost
Comparison
Visa on arrival vs. e-visa
| Factor | Visa on arrival | E-visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Approval letter first, stamp on arrival | Fully online, nothing to collect |
| Entry points | Air only | 83 air, land, and sea ports |
| Fees | Approval fee + separate airport stamping fee | Single government fee (USD 25-50) |
| Current status | Backup / edge-case route | Standard route for most travelers |
Process
How we help you pick the right route
02
Confirm nationality and entry-point eligibility
Visa on arrival eligibility and current practice vary and change. We confirm your specific situation rather than relying on general claims found online.
03
Prepare the approval letter application
If visa on arrival is genuinely the right route for your case, we help prepare the approval letter request with accurate flight and entry details.
04
Brief you on the airport process
We explain what to expect at the immigration counter, including the separate stamping fee, so there are no surprises on arrival.
Points to clarify
Before you rely on visa on arrival
Visa on arrival does not work if you're entering by land or sea
Outdated articles online often describe visa on arrival as still the main route — it isn't in 2026
The airport stamping fee is paid separately in cash and is not included in the approval letter cost
Eligibility depends on your nationality and current policy, not a fixed universal list
Legal source notes
Visa on arrival and the e-visa both operate under Vietnam's immigration law framework. Neither route guarantees entry — final decisions are made by immigration authorities at the border regardless of which process was used to obtain the visa.
Because e-visa policy and visa-exemption lists are updated periodically, eligibility for either route should be confirmed against current rules for your specific nationality before travel.
FAQ
Common questions
Is visa on arrival still a real option for Vietnam in 2026?
Technically yes for most nationalities entering by air, but in practice it's now a backup route rather than the main one. The e-visa has replaced it as the standard process for the large majority of travelers — cheaper, fully online, and accepted at all 83 international entry points including land and sea borders, which visa on arrival is not.
What's the difference between visa on arrival and an e-visa?
Visa on arrival requires a pre-approval letter obtained before travel, then a stamp collected at the airport on arrival — air entry only. An e-visa is applied for and issued entirely online before you fly, and works at land, sea, and air ports. For most travelers the e-visa is simpler and the more current, recommended route.
Who is visa on arrival available to?
Most nationalities entering by air, except citizens of countries already covered by Vietnam's visa-exemption list (who don't need it) and travelers who should be using the e-visa instead. Eligibility and current practice change, so this should be confirmed for your specific nationality before relying on it.
Should I use visa on arrival instead of an e-visa?
For most travelers, no — the e-visa is simpler, cheaper for single entry, and works at every port. Visa on arrival is mainly relevant now for specific edge cases (for example some urgent business situations), and even then it needs to be checked case by case.
Next checks
Related visa guidance
These related pages cover nearby situations that often affect the right Vietnam visa route.
Vietnam e-visa support
The current standard route for most travelers, including most visa-on-arrival-eligible nationalities.
Emergency visa support
For close-deadline situations where visa on arrival might genuinely be the faster option.
Multiple entry visa guidance
If your trip involves leaving and re-entering Vietnam.
Not sure which route fits your trip?
Send your nationality, entry point, and travel dates so we can confirm whether e-visa or visa on arrival applies.
Sources
- Law No. 47/2014/QH13 - Vietnam visa definitions and original visa-symbol framework
- Law No. 51/2019/QH14 - E-visa and amended visa-purpose rules
- Vietnam Immigration Department e-visa portal - official e-visa application and result channel