Vietnam Visa on Arrival vs. Vietnam Visa at Embassy

To get visa to Vietnam, you may choose one of two options including applying for Vietnam visa at Embassy (traditional way, visa picked up at Vietnam Embassies) and applying for Vietnam Visa Visa on Arrival with vietnamevisa.org (visa picked up at Vietnam International Airports). However, each option seems to be quite different in terms of applicable applicants and procedure. Now, let’s learn more details about the two options of getting Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa on Arrival

Vietnam Visa at Embassy

  • 1

    Applicable applicants

    Travelers to Vietnam by air only

    Travelers to Vietnam by any means of transport

  • 2

    Required documents

    1. Only need to fill out the online application form

    2. This document is only required for getting Visa approval letter

    Application form with signature and photo attached

    Original passport or copy of original passport (for loose-leaf visa request)

  • 3

    How to submit application

    Submit your visa application form online via our secured network

    We will process your visa information and submit your visa application to and do other necessary procedures on your behalf with Vietnam Immigration Department.

    (Licensed travel agent in Vietnam could submit visa applications pursuant to Article 13, Vietnam Government’s Decree No. 92/2007/ND-CP)

    Hard-copy of documents

    In person or by post

    Might use services of a travel agent or organization in submitting the visa application

  • 4

    Required fees

    Visa service fee for visa approval letter arrangement paid to travel agent upon submitting visa application) – published on the website

    Visa stamping fee for visa stamp (paid to Vietnam Immigration Officers) – pay later in cash at airports upon arriving in Vietnam

    See public visa on arrival fees >>

    Fee for stamping visa

    Other current fees such as visa approval arrangement fee, processing fee, shipping, handling and expedited services, etc.

    (Please contact the Vietnam Embassy for accurate information since they vary from embassy to embassy.)

  • 5

    How to track the application

    Check your account provided by our system, make a phone call, chat or email to our support staff

    Make a phone call to embassy or come in person to Vietnam Embassy to check the visa

  • 6

    Processing time

    2 working days for normal service

    1 working day for urgent service

    4 working hours for super urgent service

    Around 5 working days for normal service

    1-2 working days for urgent service

    Contact the embassy for accurate information

  • 7

    Get visa stamped

    When arriving in Vietnam

    At Visa on Arrival counter

    Presenting visa approval letter with required documents & fees at Immigration Counter to have visa stamped onto your passport

    Along with original passport picked up from the Vietnam embassy

    At Vietnam Embassy where you have applied for visa

    Visa already stamped onto your passport when embassy sends the passport back

  • 8

    The advantages

    No need to send your original passport away

    A complete online process – Short time for visa application

    No dealing with immigration agency. We deal with them on your behalf

    Especially convenient for those who are currently staying far away

    Having all fees clearly published

    Prompt support (Chat online, hotline 24/7)

    Having response for your email(s) within 24 hours

    Having visa already stamped onto your passport before your departure to Vietnam

    Applicable to travelers to Vietnam by any means of transport

    Making one-time payment for visa fee at Vietnam Embassy

  • 9

    The Disadvantages

    Queuing in front of Immigration Counter at arrival airports in Vietnam to have visa stamp

    Possibly having names of other people on your approval letter

    Foreigners cannot apply for visa on arrival themselves, the application must go through authorized travel agencies in Vietnam or organizations

    Parting with your original passport

    Having to drive to the nearest embassy or send documents by post

    Dealing directly with Vietnam embassies

    Various visa fees and procedures at different Vietnam embassies

    Taking up to 3 days to get response for your email(s)

Vietnam Visa on Arrival

Vietnam Visa at Embassy

Applicable Applicants
  • Travelers to Vietnam by air only
  • Travelers to Vietnam by any means of transport
Required documents
  • Only need to fill out the online application form.
  • This document is only required for getting Visa approval letter
  • Application form with signature and photo attached
  • Original passport or copy of original passport (for loose-leaf visa request)
How to submit application
  • Submit your visa application form online via our secured network
  • We will process your visa information and submit your visa application to and do other necessary procedures on your behalf with Vietnam Immigration Department.
  • (Licensed travel agent in Vietnam could submit visa applications pursuant to Article 13, Vietnam Government’s Decree No. 92/2007/ND-CP)
  • Hard-copy of documents
  • In person or by post
  • Might use services of a travel agent or organization in submitting the visa application
Required Fees
  • Visa service fee for visa approval letter arrangement (paid to travel agent upon submitting visa application) – published on the website
  • Visa stamping fee for visa stamp (paid to Vietnam Immigration Officers) – pay later in cash at airports upon arriving in Vietnam
  • See public visa on arrival fees >>
  • Fee for stamping visa.
  • Other current fees such as visa approval arrangement fee, processing fee, shipping, handling and expedited services…(varying from embassy to embassy)
How to track the application
  • Check you account provided by our system, make a phone call, chat or email to our support staff
  • Make a phone call to embassy or come in person to Vietnam Embassy to check the visa.
Processing Time
  • 2 working days for normal service
  • 1 working day for urgent service
  • 4 working hours for super urgent service
  • Around 5 working days for normal service
  • 1-2 working days for urgent service
  • Contact the embassy for accurate information
Get visa stamp
  • When arriving in Vietnam
  • At Visa on Arrival counter
  • Present visa approval letter with required documents & fees at Immigration Counter to have visa stamped onto your passport
  • Along with original passports picked up from the Vietnam embassy
  • At Vietnam Embassy where you have applied for visa
  • Visa already stamped onto your passport when embassies sent the passports back
The Advantages
  • No need to send your original passport away
  • A complete online process – Short time for visa application
  • No dealing with immigration agency. We deal with them on your behalf
  • Especially convenient for those who are currently staying far away
  • Having all fees clearly published
  • Prompt support (Chat online, hotline 24/7)
  • Having response for your email(s) within 24 hours
  • Having visa already stamped onto your passport before your departure to Vietnam
  • Applicable to travelers to Vietnam by any means of transport
  • Making one-time payment for visa fee at Vietnam Embassy
The Disadvantages
  • Queuing in front of Immigration Counter at arrival airports in Vietnam to have visa stamp
  • Possibly having names of other people on your approval letter
  • Foreigners cannot apply for visa on arrival themselves, the application must go through authorized travel agencies in Vietnam or organizations
  • Parting with your original passport
  • Having to drive to nearest embassies or sending documents by mail
  • Dealing directly with Vietnam embassies
  • Various visa fee and procedures at different Vietnam embassies
  • Taking up to 3 days to get response for your email(s)