Differences of Vietnam visa on arrival and Vietnam e-visa

The original form of a visa is a sticker on a passport. Applicants must fill out the visa application form at the consular office, wait for the approval and return another day to receive it. This is a common process for all types of visas that people who want to enter another country are required to go through personal identification.

However, in this era of globalization, when traveling demand of people is increasing, especially for tourism purposes. Tourists must follow a lengthy process that makes them spend time on moving and waiting. This is an unnecessary inconvenience.

To increase the competitiveness of the smokeless industry, many countries have reformed the visa for this tourist category, leading to the introduction of visa on arrival (VOA), the second generation of visas, stamp-type (stamped rustic).

Tourists only apply for a Vietnam visa online, pay and receive a seal. Although this way saves travelers time and money, they face another inconvenience of long and long queues at the airport. After a long journey, waiting would be uncomfortable.

The above inconveniences led to the birth of the third-generation visa, the E-visa. Applicants can do it anywhere as long as they have internet access and receive a visa right on their computer to print, board the plane and cross the border.

Each way of applying for a Vietnam visa has its own characteristics and is suitable for different cases of travelers. Read carefully the information below of VOA and E-visa to choose the right visa for you.

Vietnam visa on arrival

Issuing authority: Vietnam Immigration Department

Beneficiaries: All visitors travel to Vietnam by air

Purpose of visit: Vacation, business, family or friend visit, and others

Visa validity:

- 1 month single/multiple entries;

- 3 months single/multiple entries;

- 6 months multiple entries; (only US citizens)

- 1-year multiple entries. (only US citizens)

Visa fee: Depending on visa type, refunded in case your visa application is refused

Processing time: 2 working days, 1 working day or even a few hours to receive the visa approval letter

Entry gate: Six (06) international airports in Vietnam, consisting of Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong, Da Nang Airport in Da Nang, Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Cam Ranh Airport in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Airport in Phu Quoc.

Warning: It may, but just sometimes, take you up to 30 minutes or 1 hour to get visa stamped at Vietnam airport if there are too many people arriving at the same time.

Vietnam e-visa

Issuing authority: Vietnam Immigration Department

Beneficiaries: Citizens of 80 countries (Checklist)

Purpose of visit: Vacation and business

Visa validity: 1-month single entry

Visa fee: US $25, non-refundable in case your visa application is refused

Processing time: Not sooner than 3 working days to know if your Vietnam visa application is approved or not

Entry gate: Twenty-eight (28) entry gates including 8 international airports, 13 international border gates, and 7 seaports across Vietnam

Warning: As this kind of visa is very new, of which some certain airlines or even immigration staff at the airports may have not been aware and therefore may refuse it, you should check with your airlines in advance to avoid this.

Hopefully, this article will be helpful to you, wish you have a great trip to Vietnam.

For more information, please contact us via hotline +84.909.180.525 or mail visa@vietnam-visa.org.vn. We are ready to give you a free consultation 24/7.