The Ultimate Guide to Emergency Visa Vietnam and Vietnam Visa On Arrival

Traveling to Vietnam is an experience of a lifetime, from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the serene limestone pillars of Ha Long Bay. However, travel plans don’t always go according to schedule. Perhaps you’ve just realized your visa hasn’t been processed, or an urgent business meeting requires you to be in Hanoi tomorrow.

When time is of the essence, the standard visa application process through an embassy is simply not an option. This is where Entryvietnamvisa.com steps in. In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about obtaining an emergency visa Vietnam and the convenience of the Vietnam Visa On Arrival (VOA) system.

1. Understanding Vietnam Visa On Arrival (VOA)

For many years, the Vietnam Visa On Arrival has been the preferred choice for air travelers. Unlike the traditional method of visiting a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your home country, VOA allows you to handle the majority of the process online.

What is Vietnam Visa On Arrival?

Visa On Arrival is a process where you receive an Approval Letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department via an authorized agency like Entryvietnamvisa.com. With this letter, you are permitted to board your flight and receive your physical visa stamp upon arrival at one of Vietnam’s international airports.

Key Benefits of VOA:

Convenience: No need to mail your passport or visit an embassy.
Speed: Standard processing takes only 1-2 business days, while emergency options are much faster.
Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than embassy fees, especially for short-term stays.
Accessibility: Available to citizens of most countries worldwide.

Important Note: Vietnam Visa On Arrival is applicable only for those traveling by air. If you are entering via land borders or sea ports, you must have a physical visa in hand before arrival.

2. When Do You Need an Emergency Visa Vietnam?

An emergency visa Vietnam (also known as an urgent or “last-minute” visa) is a specialized service designed for travelers who find themselves in a bind.

Common Scenarios for Emergency Requests:

Forgotten Visas: You are at the airport check-in counter and realize you never applied for a visa.
Last-Minute Business: An urgent meeting or contract signing requires your presence in Vietnam within 24 hours.
Family Emergencies: Unforeseen personal circumstances necessitating immediate travel.
E-visa Delays: You applied for a standard E-visa on the government portal, but it is “still processing” past your flight date.
Boarding Denials: Your current visa has a typo (e.g., wrong passport number or birth date), and the airline refuses to let you board.

At Entryvietnamvisa.com, we specialize in resolving these high-stress situations by accelerating the approval process through our direct channels with the Immigration Department.

3. Processing Times for Urgent Services

When you are in a rush, every hour counts. We offer several tiers of service to match your level of urgency:

Urgent Service (4-8 Working Hours)

If you have a flight later today or early tomorrow, our 4-to-8-hour service ensures you receive your approval letter in time for check-in.

Super Urgent Service (1-2 Working Hours)

This is for the “true” emergency. If you are already at the airport or your flight departs in a few hours, we can prioritize your application to get approval in as little as 60 minutes.

Weekend and Holiday Service

Vietnam Immigration is typically closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. However, Entryvietnamvisa.com provides a special “Overtime” service to assist travelers who need to enter the country when the government offices are officially closed.

4. How the Process Works: Step-by-Step

Getting a Vietnam Visa On Arrival or an emergency visa Vietnam through our platform is designed to be seamless.

Step 1: Online Application

Visit Entryvietnamvisa.com and fill out the secure online form. You will need to provide:

Full Name (as it appears on your passport).
Date of Birth.
Nationality.
Passport Number (must be valid for at least 6 months).
Date of Entry.

Step 2: Payment

Pay the service fee using our secure payment gateway. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. The fee depends on the processing speed you select.

Step 3: Receive Your Approval Letter

Once processed, we will send the Visa Approval Letter to your email. You must print this letter out (black and white is fine). This is the legal document that allows you to board the plane.

Step 4: Board Your Flight

Show the Approval Letter to the airline staff at the check-in counter. Without it, you will not be allowed to board.

Step 5: Visa Stamping at the Airport

Upon landing at one of Vietnam’s international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, or Phu Quoc), head to the “Visa On Arrival” or “Landing Visa” desk.

You will submit:

Your Passport.
The printed Approval Letter.
Two passport-sized photos ($4 \times 6$ cm).
The Stamping Fee in cash ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry).

The officer will then place the visa sticker in your passport, and you are ready to enter the country!

5. Requirements and Eligibility

Before applying for a Vietnam Visa On Arrival, ensure you meet the following criteria:

Passport Validity: Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry into Vietnam.
Blank Pages: You should have at least two blank pages for the visa sticker and entry/exit stamps.
Travel Method: You must be entering Vietnam via an international airport.
Photos: You need two recent photos. If you forget them, most airports have a kiosk where you can take them for a small fee (usually $2-$5).

Accepted Airports:

Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)
Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang)
Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc Island)

6. Comparing E-visa vs. Visa On Arrival

Travelers often get confused between the government E-visa and the Visa On Arrival service. Here is a breakdown:

Feature	Vietnam E-visa	Vietnam Visa On Arrival
Processing Time	3–5 working days (No weekends)	1 hour to 2 days (Includes weekends)
Emergency Option	Very limited/None	Available 24/7 via agencies
Entry Points	Air, Land, and Sea	Air Only
Application	Direct via Gov portal	Via Agency (Entryvietnamvisa.com)
Total Cost	One-time payment ($25)	Service Fee + Stamping Fee ($25)

The Verdict: If you have weeks before your trip, the E-visa is a great DIY option. However, if you are in a rush or need a visa on a weekend, the emergency visa Vietnam via VOA is the only reliable path.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your Vietnam Visa On Arrival process goes smoothly, avoid these frequent pitfalls:

Typos in the Application: A single digit wrong in your passport number can cause the airline to deny boarding. Always double-check your data.
Arriving at a Land Border: Remember, VOA is for airports only. Do not try to use an Approval Letter at a bus crossing from Cambodia or Laos.
Not Having Cash: The Immigration Department at the airport does not accept credit cards for the stamping fee. You must have USD or VND in cash.
Assuming E-visas are Instant: Many travelers assume the E-visa is like the ones for Turkey or Cambodia, which are often instant. Vietnam’s E-visa takes several days and is often delayed.

8. Why Choose Entryvietnamvisa.com?

When you are facing a travel emergency, you need a partner you can trust. Entryvietnamvisa.com has years of experience navigating the complexities of Vietnamese immigration law.

Our Promises to You:

Speed: We have the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
Transparency: No hidden fees. We clearly distinguish between the service fee and the stamping fee.
24/7 Support: Our team is available via WhatsApp, Email, and Phone to assist you at any hour, regardless of your time zone.
100% Success Rate: We review every application to ensure it meets immigration standards before submission.
Privacy & Security: Your personal data and passport information are encrypted and handled with the highest level of security.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Vietnam Visa On Arrival legal?

A: Yes. Circular No. 190/2012/TT-BTC and various immigration laws of Vietnam officially recognize Visa On Arrival for air travelers who have an Approval Letter from an authorized agency.

Q: Can I get an emergency visa on a Saturday?

A: Yes. While the government offices are closed, Entryvietnamvisa.com has special protocols to process emergency requests over the weekend for travelers with immediate flights.

Q: What if my flight is in 2 hours?

A: Contact us immediately via our hotline or WhatsApp. We can often process “Last Minute” approvals in under an hour, though this is subject to the current status of the Immigration Department’s system.

Q: Do I need to send you my physical passport?

A: No. You only need to send us a digital scan or a clear photo of your passport’s information page. You keep your physical passport with you.

Q: Can I extend my visa once I am in Vietnam?

A: Visa extension rules change frequently. Currently, it is often easier to exit the country and re-enter on a new visa. Contact our support team for the latest updates on internal extensions.

10. Final Tips for a Stress-Free Entry

To make your arrival in Vietnam as pleasant as possible, follow these final tips:

Print Multiple Copies: Keep one copy of your Approval Letter in your carry-on and one in your checked luggage.
Prepare Exact Change: Having the exact $25 or $50 USD for the stamping fee will speed up your time at the counter.
Check Your Visa Sticker: Before leaving the Immigration counter, check the dates on your visa sticker to ensure they match your intended stay.

Conclusion

Don’t let a missing visa ruin your trip to the “Land of the Ascending Dragon.” Whether you are planning ahead or facing a last-minute crisis, the Vietnam Visa On Arrival system offers a flexible and efficient solution for global travelers.

If you find yourself needing an emergency visa Vietnam, don’t panic. Entryvietnamvisa.com is here to handle the bureaucracy so you can focus on your journey. Our streamlined process, lightning-fast approvals, and dedicated support team make us the top choice for thousands of travelers every year.

Ready to get started?

[Apply for your Vietnam Visa On Arrival now at Entryvietnamvisa.com] or contact our 24/7 emergency hotline for immediate assistance. Safe travels!