If you are entering Vietnam with a visa-on-arrival (VOA) approval letter, you must collect your visa at the airport before going through immigration. The process can be complicated if you are using it for the first time. This step-by-step guide explains what to prepare, what to expect at the counter, and how fast-track assistance can help you save time.
Only travelers arriving on a visa-on-arrival approval letter pick up their visa at the airport counter, other types of visa holders go straight to immigration.
Before traveling, make sure you have your visa approval letter and the other required documents ready. You will present them at the landing visa counter upon arrival and pay the applicable stamping fee before proceeding to immigration. The visa is issued and stamped at the landing visa counter after you arrive in Vietnam
Although an e-visa is not physically stamped or attached to your passport before you travel, e-visa holders do not need to pick up a separate visa at the airport. Since it is issued electronically and linked to your passport, travelers can proceed directly to the immigration counter with their passport and valid e-visa.
Bring your visa approval letter to the Visa on Arrival counter (Source: collected)
Bring your printed approval letter, passport, two passport photos, and a completed entry-exit form to the landing visa counter.
Prepare your documents before leaving for the airport so you do not have to search for paperwork after landing.
|
Document |
What to prepare |
|
Visa approval letter |
Bring a printed copy of your valid approval letter. |
|
Passport |
Use the passport associated with your visa application. |
|
Passport photos |
Prepare two passport-sized photos (4x6) |
|
Entry-exit form |
Complete the required form before submitting your documents. |
|
Stamping fee |
Prepare the applicable fee in cash for payment at the counter, there will be an ATM at the airport. |
Keeping these items together in your hand luggage makes the pickup process easier and avoids delays at the counter.
Keep important document in your hand luggage (Source: collected)
Head to the landing visa counter before immigration, hand over your documents, pay the stamping fee, and collect your stamped visa.
Step 1: Find the landing visa counter
After arriving at the airport, follow the signs for the landing visa/visa-on-arrival counter in the international arrivals area.
The landing visa counter is located before immigration, so VOA travelers should complete the visa stamping process before joining the immigration queue.
Step 2: Submit your documents and pay the stamping fee
At the counter, submit your approval letter, passport, photos, and completed entry-exit form.
You will also need to pay the applicable stamping fee. Keep your payment ready in cash to avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 3: Receive your visa and proceed to immigration
Once the visa has been processed and stamped into your passport, collect your passport and check the visa details.
You can then proceed to the immigration counter for the next stage of your entry into Vietnam.
Step 4: Collect your baggage and leave the airport
After immigration, follow the signs to the baggage claim area and check the airport display for your assigned carousel.
Once you have collected your luggage, follow the airport signs to the exit and continue to your destination.
The stamping fee is paid in cash at the counter and varies by single- or multiple-entry visa, so bring the exact amount in USD.
The stamping fee is separate from any service fee paid to a visa agency. If you use urgent processing or another additional service, such as invitation letters, you need to pay an additional separate fee.
|
Visa entry type |
Stamping fee |
|
Single entry |
$25 |
|
Multiple entry |
$50 |
Tips: Prepare cash in USD and, where possible, bring the exact amount. This can make payment at the landing counter more straightforward. There will be an ATM at the airport, however, you may have to queue if multiple flights land at the same time.
With fast-track, an assistant pre-processes your stamping paperwork so you bypass the counter queue entirely.
Fast-track assistance can be useful if you want to minimize waiting at the airport, are arriving during a busy period, or simply prefer having someone guide you through the arrival process. You can save 2-3 hours queueing during peak time.
Instead of navigating the landing counter process alone, a fast-track assistant can help with the visa stamping procedure and guide you through the relevant airport steps.
This is particularly useful for travelers who are unfamiliar with the airport or want support from arrival through immigration.
Fast-track service brings you many benefits:
Urgent Visa To Vietnam also provides airport assistance for travelers who need support with visa procedures and onward transportation.
Our airport fast track help you save time
Related blog post: Noi Bai Fast Track Service and Immigration (Hanoi)
If you hold an e-visa, no airport pickup is required-you walk straight to immigration, which is why many travelers prefer it.
The two entry methods work differently:
|
Features |
E-visa |
Visa on Arrival |
|
Visa obtained before arrival |
Yes |
Approval letter obtained before arrival |
|
Airport visa pickup |
No |
Yes |
|
Landing visa counter |
Not required |
Required |
|
Immigration |
Proceed directly |
Proceed after visa stamping |
For travelers who want the simplest arrival procedure, an e-visa can be more straightforward because there is no separate visa stamping step at the airport. VOA, however, can help you obtain an approval letter faster for an urgent flight, rather than waiting the 3-5 working days required for an e-visa.
Related blog post: Tan Son Nhat Fast Track Service & Immigration (HCMC)
Based on on-the-ground experience, arriving before the evening rush and knowing which counter to use keeps stamping for a few minutes, closing the loop on a smooth airport pickup.
A few practical tips can make the process easier:
Airport assistance saves you a lot of time and energy (Source: collected)
If you are looking for reliable airport assistance, you should consider UrgentVisaToVietnam with 15+ years of experience in travel services for foreigners coming to Vietnam. We have worked with over 56k+ clients from 190+ countries. Contact us via:
Tel: +84.904.879.729
Tel: +1 (778) 788 2310
Email: [email protected]
Address: No10A, Sai Dong, Long Bien, Hanoi
Go to the landing visa counter, submit your approval letter and required documents, pay the stamping fee, and collect your stamped visa before proceeding to immigration.
Bring your approval letter, passport, two passport photos, and a completed entry-exit form to the landing visa counter.
The stamping fee varies by single- or multiple-entry visa. Bring the applicable fee in cash in USD.
No. E-visa holders do not need to visit the landing visa counter and can proceed directly to immigration with their passport and valid e-visa.
Yes. Fast-track assistance can pre-process the stamping paperwork and help you avoid the regular counter queue.
The landing visa counter is located before immigration in the international arrivals area. VOA travelers should complete the visa stamping process there before proceeding to immigration.
No. Neither an e-visa nor a visa-on-arrival approval letter includes airport transportation or a private airport pickup service; these are separate services.
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