Vietnam Visa Travellers often ask me this the night before a flight: can I just get the visa at the airport? You cannot just turn up and buy one. Let me put the two options side by side, so you can see why the e-visa wins when time is short.
The comparison
| E-visa | Visa on arrival (approval letter) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | Online, before you fly | An approval letter arranged before you fly, then the visa at the landing visa counter |
| Who can use it | Almost every nationality | Nationalities I handle by approval letter, special cases |
| Time | Officially 3 working days, plan for 3–5. Urgent options from 1 hour on weekdays | About 7 working days for the approval letter |
| Cost | All-in from US$45 (standard) and from US$64 (urgent) | Approval letter: price on request. Plus a US$25 stamping fee in cash at the airport (single entry) |
| Entry points | International airports, land and sea ports | International airports only |
| At the airport | Go straight to immigration | Queue at the landing visa counter and pay the stamping fee |
| Boarding | The airline checks your e-visa before boarding | Airlines may refuse to board you without the approval letter |
All-in prices are for a single-entry new application, government fee included. Multiple entry: add US$25. Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Türkiye: +US$20. See the full price list.
Why the e-visa wins for an urgent trip
The approval letter takes about 7 working days. If your flight is in two days, that is too late. An e-visa has options that match short deadlines: Urgent 3 days at US$64, Urgent 2 days at US$74, Urgent 1 day at US$94, Urgent 4 hours at US$104, Emergency 1 hour at US$224 on weekdays before 18:00, and the weekend service at US$224 from Friday 18:00 to Sunday 15:00. All times are Vietnam time (GMT+7).
The exact deadlines are on my page about cut-off times. To match an option to your flight, use the table on the urgent visa page.
Flying in the next three days and unsure which document you need? Message me your nationality and flight time. From 1 hour on weekdays, weekends too, all-in from US$64. I confirm the time before you pay.
On the application form, enter the code PAUL03 in “Add Your Coupon”. On time or your money back. Refused new application: 100% refund.
Who still uses visa on arrival
Visa on arrival is not for normal e-visa customers. I arrange an approval letter only for nationalities whose e-visa is often refused, or who need a letter. That includes most African nationalities, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh and a few others. You need travel history to, or a visa from, the US, UK, Canada, Australia or an EU/Schengen country. If this is you and you fly soon, ask me before you book. I will tell you what is possible for your passport.
Australian passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival, but can apply for an eVisa, according to Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au). For most passports, the e-visa is the right choice. It is simpler, and you skip the visa counter. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days (Government of Vietnam).
Do not confuse it with the check-in letter
The free check-in letter is a different thing. With any urgent e-visa option, I can prepare a letter that lets you board while the e-visa is being finished. It is not a visa approval letter. It is ready in about 10 minutes. Read about what to do if the airline refuses to board you.
Maybe you need neither
Passport holders of some countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. Check my page on visa-free countries. If you are not on the list, choose the e-visa. For the details of the other option, read my page on visa on arrival.
Urgent e-visa options
| Option | Single entry, all-in |
|---|---|
| Emergency 1 hour Mon–Fri, apply before 18:00 | US$224 |
| Urgent 4 hours | US$104 |
| Urgent 1 day | US$94 |
| Urgent 2 days | US$74 |
| Urgent 3 days | US$64 |
| Weekend emergency Friday 18:00 to Sunday 15:00 | US$224 |
Multiple entry: add US$25. Government fee included. Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Türkiye: +US$20. See the full price list.
FAQ
Can I get a Vietnam visa at the airport on arrival?
Not without applying first. You need either an approved e-visa or an approval letter arranged before you fly. Airlines may refuse to board you without one.
Which is faster, e-visa or visa on arrival?
The e-visa. The approval letter for visa on arrival takes about 7 working days. An urgent e-visa can be ready from 1 hour on weekdays.
How much is visa on arrival for Vietnam?
The approval letter is priced on request, because it depends on your nationality. At the airport you also pay a US$25 stamping fee in cash for a single entry.
Which entry points accept each document?
The e-visa works at international airports, land and sea ports. Visa on arrival works at international airports only.
Official sources: Smartraveller (Australia): Vietnam travel advice (no visa on arrival for Australian passports) · Government of Vietnam: e-visa valid up to 90 days. Sources checked: 13 Nov 2026.
Related: Visa on arrival · Denied boarding · Visa-free countries · Urgent Vietnam visa · Cut-off times
