Vietnam Visa On Arrival Processing Time
This article describes in detail Vietnam visa on arrival processing time and also discusses routine and emergency handling procedures at the airport along with answers to frequently asked questions.
What is a Vietnam Visa Approval Letter?
Vietnam visa approval letter is a legal document that permits you to access Vietnam and requires a visa to be issued at the international airports of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or Da Nang. This document is processed at the embassy by a noted visa service agency which submits the letter online to the appropriate government institution. This process is more efficient than going to an embassy in person. The letter will be sent via email after being pre-approved and then presented at landing for stamping of the visa.
Understanding the role of this letter is key to navigating Vietnam visa processing time at the border gate effectively. This is a simple process, but the time it takes to receive your message depends on the service you choose—normal or urgent.
Vietnam Visa On Arrival Processing Time
When getting a visa on arrival to Vietnam, how much time does it take? Your Vietnam visa on arrival processing time is dependent on the solution you select and the agency you consult. Below, we delineate the timelines with respect to normal and urgent processing as well as airport stamping procedures.
Normal Processing
- Processing a Vietnam Visa approval letter takes about 1-2 business days. The processing time is favorable for those travelers who plan in advance.
- When applying through a reputable visa agency, the clients get an approval letter sent to them via email in less than 72 hours, excluding weekends and public holidays (24-48 hours is the guaranteed time frame).
- If you have an urgent Vietnam visa on arrival processing time, you have to make sure that your provided documents, like passport details, are error-free to avoid unnecessary delays. This method of processing is ideal for the average tourist considering the price, and the flexibility provided allows for any number of last-minute changes.
Urgent Processing
In urgent cases, you can have your visa approval letter within 4 – 8 hours. And in extremely urgent cases, your visa approval letter will be sent within 30 minutes – 4 hours. In addition, visa processing time is also special when it comes to weekends and holidays. With Seniworld's premium emergency service, we ensure your approval letter takes the least amount of time, 4-8 hours and in some cases, 1-2 hours for super urgent requests.
Airport stamping
The last step after your approval letter is stamped at the airport. At Vietnam’s international airports, this normally takes 15-30 minutes, depending on passenger load and time of day. You may also have to show an approval letter, a passport, a passport-sized photo and pay a stamping fee (typically 25 USD for a single-entry visa or 50 USD for a multiple-entry visa). Have everything ready ahead of time to save yourself time and and make sure your approval letter matches your passport details.
The airport stamping process is simple but can be delayed during peak travel season, so plan to arrive with a time buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects the processing time of my visa application?
The time it takes to process a visa varies by type of visa and the facility of countries to process. Immigrant visas are generally processed longer than non-immigrant visas because of the evidence that needs to be submitted with our filing. Countries that conduct a full processing review can take longer to process applications so make sure you have all your documents in order, and check specific regulations on the embassy’s website for a smoother process.
Do I need to do anything after receiving the approval letter?
After receiving the approval, you need to carefully check the information on it (name, passport number, visa type, validity period, etc.). If there are any errors, immediately contact the embassy/consulate for correction.
When should I apply for a Visa on Arrival?
You should complete your visa application approximately one month before your intended date of entry into Vietnam, but no earlier than three months. If you complete your visa application too early, your visa may expire before you arrive in Vietnam.
What happens if I do not receive my approval letter on time?
Otherwise, you will not be able to take the flight home to Vietnam because you will not have a timely visa approval letter. This letter is mandatory by airlines prior to your departure and immigration officer upon arrival. If your departure date is approaching quickly, it's better to check in early or choose the emergency handling option to avoid any last-minute issues or travel delays.
Conclusion
Getting the Vietnam visa on arrival processing time does not have to be complicated. The Vietnam visa on arrival process is flexible—ranging from 1-2 days with standard service to as fast as 1-2 hours for urgent cases. By understanding the process and preparing your documents in advance, you can ensure a smooth arrival experience. If you’d like expert support to handle your visa quickly and reliably, we’re here to help.