Urgent Vietnam Visa Approval Letter - Fast Visa on Arrival Processing

An urgent Vietnam visa approval letter is an immigration approval document used by eligible travelers who obtain a visa on arrival at a designated Vietnamese international airport. For travelers with limited time before departure, urgent processing can help obtain the approval letter quickly so they can complete the visa-on-arrival procedure after landing.

If you are flying to Vietnam soon and do not have a valid visa yet, the first step is to determine whether you need an approval letter or whether an urgent e-visa is a better option for your trip.

What is a Vietnam visa approval letter?

A Vietnam visa approval letter is an official immigration approval document used for eligible travelers who receive their visa on arrival in Vietnam. The letter is obtained before departure and presented as part of the visa-on-arrival process at the designated airport.

The approval letter is not the visa itself. Instead, it supports the process of receiving the visa after you arrive in Vietnam. You should therefore not treat an approval letter as equivalent to an e-visa or as a completed visa already issued in your passport.

For eligible urgent cases, travelers can request expedited assistance to process the required approval and receive the document by email before departure

When do you need a Vietnam visa approval letter?

You need a Vietnam visa approval letter when you are using the visa-on-arrival (landing visa) route and your case requires an approval document before travel. You do not need an approval letter if you already have a valid Vietnam visa, e-visa or on visa-exemption list. The Vietnam Immigration portal publishes the applicable list of e-visa entry and exit ports.

An approval letter can therefore be relevant when:

• You need to travel to Vietnam urgently.
• You are eligible for the visa-on-arrival route.
• You are entering Vietnam by air through a designated international airport.
• You need an alternative to waiting for standard visa processing.
• You need your immigration approval document before a near-term flight.

However, an approval letter is not a universal substitute for a visa. Your nationality, entry method, purpose of travel and individual circumstances should be checked before choosing this route.

You can get landing visa or visa on arrival with visa approval letter (Source: collected)

Related blog post: How to Apply for Vietnam Visa on Arrival?

Vietnam e-visa vs. Visa approval letter

For many visitors, an e-visa is the simpler option because the visa is issued fully online before travel. Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP of the Vietnamese Government states that e-visas can be issued for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, and eligible travelers outside Vietnam can apply directly through the electronic system.

A visa approval letter is different because the traveler completes the visa issuance procedure after arriving at the designated airport.

If you have several days before your flight, an e-visa may be the more straightforward route. If your departure is very close and you are eligible for a visa on arrival, an urgent approval letter may provide another route to consider.

Vietnam visa on arrivals are issued at airports only (Source: collected)

Can I get a Vietnam approval letter myself?

No, foreigners cannot get a Vietnam approval letter themselves. A Vietnamese individual can sponsor a foreigner, such as a family member or friend, to enter Vietnam through the invitation and sponsorship procedure. However, a foreigner cannot use the individual sponsorship procedure to sponsor themselves. For cases that require an invitation or sponsorship, the application must be submitted by a qualifying individual, organization or company in Vietnam on behalf of the foreign traveler. 

Requirements for an individual sponsor

• Legal status: The sponsor must be an eligible individual in Vietnam who can provide the required personal identification and residential information. 
• Basic documents and information: The application generally requires the sponsor's identification documents, the foreign visitor's passport information, their relationship to the visitor where applicable, and information about the visitor's intended stay and purpose of entry. 
• How to submit: The sponsorship procedure can be completed through the Vietnam Immigration Department's electronic system online. 

For travelers dealing with a tight deadline, getting a sponsor can also be challenging. If you are unsure which procedure applies to your case or need urgent assistance, UrgentVisaToVietnam can help you prepare the required information, check your application details and assist with the visa process. This can save time and reduce the risk of delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documentation.

Step-by-step to get Visa on arrival with Visa approval letter at Vietnam airport

Getting the approval letter is the first step to get a Visa on arrival. To complete the procedure, follow these steps when you arrive in Vietnam airport.

Step 1: Prepare your documents before flying

Depending on your case, prepare:

• Your original passport.
• Your Vietnam visa approval letter.
• Passport photos if required.
• The applicable visa application form or supporting documents.
• The applicable government stamping fee ($25 for single-entry and $50 for multiple-entry, paid in cash)

Your passport and application information should be consistent with the details used for the approval.

Step 2: Arrive at a designated international airport

Visa on arrival gives you flexibility in entry ports without having to declare it first in application. However, currently there are only 15 international airports in Vietnam that can issue visa on arrival: Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Cat Bi, Can Tho, Lien Khuong, etc... Before traveling, confirm that your arrival airport and individual case are eligible for this route.

Step 3: Go to the visa-on-arrival or landing visa counter

After landing, follow airport signs or instructions for the visa-on-arrival/landing visa counter before proceeding through immigration. Present the required documents and wait for the application to be checked.

Step 4: Pay the applicable stamping fee

Once the application is accepted, pay the applicable government stamping fee for the visa being issued. The service fee paid for obtaining an approval letter is separate from any government fee payable when the visa is issued at the airport.

Step 5: Receive your visa and proceed to immigration

After the visa-on-arrival procedure is completed, continue to the immigration checkpoint with your passport and newly issued visa. The exact procedure and documents required can vary according to your nationality, visa type and current immigration requirements.

Receive your visa on arrival first before proceeding to immigration counter (Source: collected)

How fast can an urgent Vietnam visa approval letter be issued?

Urgent processing is available for travelers who do not have enough time for a standard application. Depending on the selected service, eligible applications can be processed within a few hours during the applicable processing period. With UrgentVisaToVietnam, you can expedite your application process as fast as in a few hours at a very reasonable price.

The service price list above does not include the fees payable to the government. If your flight is only a few hours away, submit your application as early as possible and make sure all passport and travel information is accurate. 

Importance notice for using a visa approval letter for Visa on Arrival at Vietnam airport

Before relying on a visa approval letter for Visa on Arrival, make sure you have everything ready before your flight. A missing document, incorrect passport information or insufficient cash can cause unnecessary delays at the airport. 

• You must have the visa approval letter before your flight: A visa approval letter is a pre-authorization for Visa on Arrival, make sure you have received the approved letter and printed it before traveling.
• Prepare enough cash for the visa stamping fee: The stamping fee is paid at the airport and should be prepared in cash. Although ATMs are available at airports, queues can be long, so having enough cash with you can help avoid unnecessary delays.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and match your approval letter: Check that your passport has at least 6 months of validity and that your name, passport number, date of birth and other details match the information on your approval letter. If you hold dual citizenship and have two passports, bring the same passport used for your approval letter application and use it for your Vietnam entry.
• Prepare the required photos and entry form: Bring 2 passport-sized photos (4x6 cm) and the required NA1 entry and exit form for the Visa on Arrival procedure. Having these documents prepared in advance can make the stamping process at the airport smoother.
• Your entry purpose must match your visa: The purpose of your trip should correspond to the visa category stated in your application. For example, if you enter Vietnam with a tourist visa, you should not use that visa to carry out activities that require a different visa or work authorization, such as employment or unauthorized commercial activities.

A small mistake could cost you a lot of extra time at the airport (Source: collected)

Why trust UrgentVisaToVietnam for urgent Vietnam approval letter assistance?

When your flight is approaching, processing speed is important, but so is knowing exactly what you are paying for and what happens next.

UrgentVisaToVietnam has provided Vietnam emergency visa assistance since 2010, supporting more than 56,000 applications for travelers from more than 190 nationalities and countries. Our 99.68% success rate reflects our commitment to providing reliable visa assistance and a smooth experience for our customers.

With a fully English-speaking support team available 24/7/365, including weekends and holidays, you can get assistance when you need it, even when your travel date is approaching. Our service fees are clearly stated before payment, with no hidden fees, so you know the cost before proceeding.

We also back our urgent visa assistance with a 100% refund guarantee if we fail to meet the promised processing deadline, subject to the applicable refund terms. This gives you greater clarity and confidence when choosing an urgent approval letter service for your upcoming trip.

We have helped many clients getting their Vietnam visa approval letter

Urgent Vietnam Visa Approval Letter FAQs

How fast can I get a Vietnam visa approval letter?

For eligible travelers, urgent processing can be completed within a few hours depending on the selected service, application details and applicable processing conditions. We also work during weekends and public holidays.

Do I need an approval letter if I have a Vietnam e-visa?

No. If you already have a valid Vietnam e-visa, you do not need a visa approval letter for the same entry. 

Can I board my flight with a Vietnam visa approval letter?

Yes. But you should also bring other related documents such as ID card, passport, etc. Confirm document requirements with your airlines.

What do I pay at the airport?

You have to pay the visa stamping fee at the airport in cash, $25 for single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa.

Can I get a Vietnam visa approval letter on a weekend?

UrgentVisaToVietnam provides urgent visa assistance on weekends and holidays. The processing time depends on the service selected and the individual application.

Can one approval letter cover multiple travelers?

In some group applications, multiple travelers can be included on the same approval document. The exact arrangement depends on the application and traveler details.

Can I use a visa approval letter at a land border?

No. You can only use your visa approval letter at airports, as only 15 major airports in Vietnam can issue visas on arrival for visitors.

What if my flight leaves in only a few hours?

If your flight is very soon, submit your application immediately and choose an urgent processing option appropriate for your departure time. Make sure your passport information, arrival date and entry airport are correct before submission.