How to Pick Up Your Vietnam Visa at the Airport (Step by Step)

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.

Who needs to pick up a visa at the airport?

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)

Documents to bring to the landing counter

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.

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)

Step-by-Step guide to collect your visa stamp

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.

There will be sign saying Landing Visa or Visa on Arrival (Source: collected)

Stamping fees: What you pay at the counter

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.

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.

Skip the wait: Fast-track visa pickup

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.

How fast-track handles stamping

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:

• You want to avoid waiting in the landing visa counter queue.
• You are arriving during a busy travel period.
• You prefer assistance with airport procedures.
• You want help navigating the airport after landing.

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 

David, an Australian traveler, contacted us after booking a flight for his father to visit Vietnam. His father was traveling alone and had never used the visa on arrival process before, so David was worried that he might not know where to go or how to complete the airport procedures after landing.

David explained that he wanted someone to assist his father through the arrival process, especially with picking up his visa and completing the required procedures. We recommended our Vietnam airport fast track service and arranged assistance for his arrival.After his father landed and completed the procedures, David told us that he was very relieved with how smoothly everything went.

Airport assistance is highly recommended for elderly travelers (Source: collected)

Related blog post: Noi Bai Fast Track Service and Immigration (Hanoi)

E-visa vs Visa on Arrival: What should you choose?

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:

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)

Airport Counter Insider Tips

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:

• Prepare your documents before landing: Keep your passport, printed approval letter, photos, and completed entry-exit form together in your carry-on.
• Bring cash in USD: The stamping fee is paid at the counter, so having the required cash ready can avoid delays. You might see a long queue at the airport ATM.
• Allow extra time during busy arrival periods: The number of passengers entering Vietnam can increase at certain times, which may make airport procedures busier.
• Know where to go: VOA travelers need to find the landing visa counter before immigration rather than joining the immigration queue immediately.
• Check your visa before leaving the counter: Make sure the visa details in your passport are correct before proceeding.
• Follow customs requirements: Check Vietnam's rules on luggage and items carried into the country to avoid potential problems at customs.
• Consider assistance if you are arriving during a busy period: Airport assistance or fast-track service can be useful when you want to minimize waiting and receive guidance through the arrival process.

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.

FAQ

How do I pick up my visa at the airport?

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.

What documents do I need for VOA pickup?

Bring your approval letter, passport, two passport photos, and a completed entry-exit form to the landing visa counter.

How much is the stamping fee?

The stamping fee varies by single- or multiple-entry visa. Bring the applicable fee in cash in USD.

Do e-visa holders need to pick up a visa?

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.

Can I skip the counter queue?

Yes. Fast-track assistance can pre-process the stamping paperwork and help you avoid the regular counter queue.

Where is the landing visa counter?

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.

Does my Vietnam visa include airport pickup?

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.