The difference between Vietnam visa on arrival and Vietnam E-visa
Nowadays, getting Vietnam visa is quite easy and convenient. As from 1 February 2017, the travelers coming from 40 countries have 1 additional option to get Vietnam visa called e-visa (electronic visa) besides two current kinds of visa. This is a new system to reduce barriers in visa processing, which is beneficial to the tourists staying in Vietnam no more than 30 days.
Therefore, at the moment, there are up to 3 ways to obtain a Vietnam visa online including:
1. Obtain Vietnam Embassy visa - getting visa stamped at the Vietnam embassy
2. Obtain Vietnam visa on arrival - getting the visa stamped at the Vietnam airport
3. Obtain Vietnam e-Visa - getting online
In case, you do not want to go to the Vietnam embassy to get the visa stamped, Vietnam visa on arrival or Vietnam e-Visa is highly recommended. You can find the following table which is the brief description of this two kinds as well as the difference between them:
| Item | Visa on arrival | E-visa |
| Issued by | Vietnam Immigration Department | Vietnam Immigration Department |
| Beneficiaries | All visitors travel to Vietnam by air | Citizens of 40 eligible countries |
| Purpose of visit | Tourist, business or Visit friends/relatives | Tourist only |
| Visa validity | - 1 month single/multiple entry; - 3 months single/multiple entry; - 6 months multiple entry; - 1 year multiple entry. |
30 days single entry |
| Visa fee | Depending on visa type and processing time, refunded in case your visa application is refused | US $45, non-refundable in case your visa application is refused |
| Processing time | 2 working days, 1 working day, or even 1-2 hours or 15 minutes to receive the visa approval letter | Within 3 working days to know if your Vietnam visa application is approved or not |
| Entry ports | 06 international airports in Vietnam including: Hanoi Airport, Hai Phong Airport, Da Nang Airport, Ho Chi Minh Airport, Nha Trang Airport and Phu Quoc Airport. | 28 entry gates including 8 international airports, 13 international border gates, and 7 seaports across Vietnam |
We do hope those are clear for you and could to help you in making your Vietnam visa application easier and quicker. If you need to apply for a visa for Vietnam right here, right now, kindly click the below button:
If you need any further information about Vietnam visa or Vietnam vacations, feel free to contact us at hotlines +84.903.278.853 (available 24/7). Or email us at visa@govietnamvisa.com, our Customer-Care Consultants will respond within 2 hours during working time and 24 hours outside working time (GMT+7)
Related reading
- Vietnam e-Visa for the US citizens
- Vietnam e-visa - New way to get Vietnam visa without any barriers since April, 2022
- New visa policy for US citizens
- Public Holidays
- Getting Vietnam Business visa without any barriers since April, 2022
- VIETNAM VISA STAMPING FEE CUT DOWN FOR ALL TRAVELERS
Or kindly read our FAQs, live Questions, or our General Vietnam Visa Information.
