Visa on Arrival vs. eVisa
-- What's Actually Available in 2026
Visa on Arrival isn't really a live option to compare anymore. Here's what replaced it, and how to pick the right processing speed.
Updated: October 8, 2026 | By Visa Specialist
Why "VOA vs. eVisa" Is the Wrong Question Now
Visa on Arrival used to work like this: you'd get a pre-approval letter in advance, then pay a separate stamping fee in cash at a dedicated counter when you landed. That two-step process is what older guides (including an earlier version of this page) still describe. It's not how entry works for most travelers today.
The eVisa replaced that process with a single step: you apply online, pay one transparent fee, and receive a complete, pre-approved electronic document before you travel. There's nothing further to arrange, pay, or queue for at the airport. We've rewritten this page to reflect that, rather than presenting an outdated VOA fee structure as if it were still a live alternative.
What the eVisa Actually Is
- A single official document, approved by Vietnamese immigration before you fly
- Delivered as a PDF to your email -- shown on your phone at check-in and on arrival
- One all-inclusive fee, paid upfront -- no separate payment required at the airport
- Valid at Vietnam's designated international airports and a specific list of land/sea checkpoints
eVisa Pricing by Processing Speed (2026)
All fees are in USD for single-entry and include the $25 government fee. Multiple-entry adds $25. No further fee is collected on arrival.
That's the complete cost -- there's no separate "stamping fee" or "rush service" layered on top, unlike the old VOA structure. We offer a 100% refund guarantee if we miss the committed timeframe for your selected tier.
Choosing Your Processing Speed
| Your situation | Recommended tier |
|---|---|
| Flight is weeks away | Normal (4-6 days) -- $50 |
| Flight is tomorrow or the next day | 1 Day -- $110 |
| Flight is later today, on a business day | 5 Hours, 2.5 Hours, or 1.5 Hours |
| Flight is within the hour, on a business day | 30-60 Minutes -- $215 |
| Flight falls on a weekend or Vietnamese public holiday | Weekend/Holiday -- $230 |
For urgent tiers outside Vietnamese government business hours, message us on WhatsApp before paying -- our support is 24/7, but final government approval depends on the portal being open. We'll explain exactly what's realistic for your flight time.
How to Apply
Passport name exactly as it appears on your document, plus travel details.
Plain white background, face forward, clear scan of your passport bio page.
Screenshot it immediately. Show it on your phone at check-in and on arrival -- nothing further to pay.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visa on Arrival still an option for Vietnam? +
No, not as a standard tourist option. The eVisa, applied for and approved before you fly, is the correct route for virtually all travelers in 2026. Any service still advertising a VOA "approval letter" plus an airport "stamping fee" is describing an outdated process.
Is an urgent eVisa faster than the old VOA process? +
This isn't really a comparison anymore since VOA isn't a standard option -- but to answer directly, yes. Our fastest eVisa tier delivers an approved, complete document in 30-60 minutes on a business day, with nothing further to arrange at the airport.
Does the eVisa cost more than VOA used to? +
The eVisa is a single, transparent fee paid upfront, with nothing owed at the airport. Our standard tier is $50 for processing in 4-6 days; urgent tiers range up to $215 for 30-60 minute processing. There's no separate "stamping fee" to budget for.
Can I still pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport? +
No. The eVisa is a complete, pre-approved electronic document. You show it on your phone at check-in and at Vietnamese immigration on arrival -- there's no cash payment or counter stamp involved.
Ready to apply?
One eVisa, one fee, nothing to arrange at the airport.
