Visa on arival in Vietnam need clarification

[WilliamCave]

I was reading on the web site I need to apply before I go to Vietnam from Thailand .

They say it is a visa on arival meaning they will have my visa when I get there ,

My defination of visa on arival means I can apply and get it at the airport upon arival

Any feed back welcom

Canadian citizen

[Upnotover]

Haven't been for a couple of years but each time I have been I got the pre-arranged visa using one of the many companies that advertise the service. They apply on your behalf and Vietnam immigration produces a letter or pre-approval which lists all the people due to arrive on a particular day, when you land at the airport you take that to the immigration who then give a you form to fill out, give that back and wait a bit and your visa is produced (If you can get hold of the visa application form in advance that saves a bit of time).

[WilliamCave]

Haven't been for a couple of years but each time I have been I got the pre-arranged visa using one of the many companies that advertise the service. They apply on your behalf and Vietnam immigration produces a letter or pre-approval which lists all the people due to arrive on a particular day, when you land at the airport you take that to the immigration who then give a you form to fill out, give that back and wait a bit and your visa is produced (If you can get hold of the visa application form in advance that saves a bit of time

Thanks for the advices

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[jacksam]

I go to HCMC often.

You need to get a letter of approval for visa. Best way is online. Takes less than 24 hours. The service is relatively cheap. When you board flight in Thailand have letter handy as boarding attendants will wish to view it.

When you land you fill in a form. Have a pen with you. Make sure you bring cash US dollars. Various price for visa type. Don't forget to bring a passport size photo. Don't panic if you do. They take your pic for $5usd.

Only need one.

Best to fill in visa form before you arrive so you can get straight into cue.

Hand your passport and form with photo and sit down.

They will call your name in about 15 minutes shouts. Go to passport control and your off.

BTW the ATM before passport control often does not work. The ones on outside do. Always withdraw maximum amount to keep charges down.

[jacksam]

Good post from Upnotover. That's the letter of approval. Don't be concerned with several other names being on letter along with yours. This is normal. The company does them in bundles.

[Aussieroaming]

You need the pre arranged letter and the visa cost..not sure what it is now

[Mojomor]

One of the annoying things about Vietnam is they will not give you an open visa. You have to specify your travel date ---- means you kind of have to book your ticket before you apply for the visa. Zero flexibility.

[NanLaew]

Just received my visa invitation letter after applying online yesterday for travel on Monday. This will probably be my 20th Vietnam visa on arrival.

After filing in the online application yesterday morning, I paid for the letter online via credit card. The company I use charge US$25 for standard 2-day processing and US$35 for expedited service. Then you pay cash for the actual visa at the 'visa on arrival' desk at the airport (cost depends on visa type applied for). As mentioned earlier, better to have the visa application form already filled in so you hand in that along with the invitation letter, a passport picture and your passport before the 'thundering herd' arrives. Newbies and backpackers tend to lurk like like lost farts or press their faces up against the glass window of the visa desk like it will make it happen faster. Just go and sit down and wait for them to call your name where you get your passport and check it is the correct visa, pay the clerk, get a receipt and head for the actual immigration desks to get stamped into Vietnam.

Let me know if you want to use the same agency I use.

[WilliamCave]

If I get a visa in my passport in bkk from the Vietnam embassy is that sufficient or do I still need another letter from the Vietnam govt of invitation ?

I am going to let a company on khason road go to the embassy for me as they have now booked my flight to Hanoi so I am letting them take care of the passport visa .

Any other info thanks

[theoldgit]

If I get a visa in my passport in bkk from the Vietnam embassy is that sufficient or do I still need another letter from the Vietnam govt of invitation?

If you have a visa already you go straight to Immigration on arrival in Vietnam, there's no need to duplicate the process by purchasing a letter.

[NanLaew]

If I get a visa in my passport in bkk from the Vietnam embassy is that sufficient or do I still need another letter from the Vietnam govt of invitation ?

I am going to let a company on khason road go to the embassy for me as they have now booked my flight to Hanoi so I am letting them take care of the passport visa .

Any other info thanks

How much is the Khaosan Road company charging for handling the application? Since getting in line for visa application and collection at the Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok can be a less than pleasant experience, I was wondering what they charge for one to avoid it.

[Jay Sata]

I must be missing a trick here?

I normally pay $80 for a single entry 30 day visa at the Vietnam consulate in Khon Kaen.

I drop my passport off around mid morning,have lunch and pick it up that afternoon.

Hanoi has a special relationship with Khon Kaen hence the replica of the pagoda on the Bung Kaen Nakorn

[NanLaew]

I must be missing a trick here?

I normally pay $80 for a single entry 30 day visa at the Vietnam consulate in Khon Kaen.

I drop my passport off around mid morning,have lunch and pick it up that afternoon.

Hanoi has a special relationship with Khon Kaen hence the replica of the pagoda on the Bung Kaen Nakorn

Herein are the charges for the online visa approval letter. The 'Normal' and 'Urgent' columns is what you pay online to get the letter of invitation. The column 'Stamping Fee' is what you pay to the Visa On Arrival desk for the visa.

In your case, you could get your visa for $60 instead of $80. But I would reckon the extra 20 bucks affords you the luxury of bypassing the VoA desk which can be a rugby scrum and going straight for the Immigration desks. If I was near KK, I would probably do the same as you.

Do they also take up a whole page with the actual visa sticker like the ones you get on arrival?

Edited October 20, 2014 by NanLaew