Visa on arrival — issuance of visas at international border gates — remains fully available in Vietnam under Article 18 of Law 47/2014/QH13 (consolidated document 62/VBHN-VPQH dated 23/3/2026); the law has not abolished this mechanism through any of its amendments (Laws 51/2019, 23/2023, 118/2025 and 103/2025). However, two concepts that travel websites often lump together as “visa on arrival” must be distinguished: (1) visa issuance at border gates under Article 18 — available only in 6 specific cases; and (2) the entry approval letter — the regular sponsorship procedure under Article 16, after which the foreigner receives a visa sticker at the border gate. They rest on different legal bases.
1. The 6 cases eligible for visa issuance at international border gates (Article 18)
Not everyone can simply “arrive at the airport and get a visa”. Article 18 of Law 47/2014 allows visa issuance at international border gates only where:
- (a) the person departs from a country that has no Vietnamese visa-issuing authority;
- (b) the person must transit through multiple countries before arriving in Vietnam;
- (c) the person enters for sightseeing or tourism under a program of an international travel enterprise in Vietnam;
- (d) the person is a crew member on a vessel anchored at a Vietnamese seaport who needs to exit through another border gate;
- (e) the person enters to attend a relative’s funeral or visit a seriously ill relative;
- (f) the person enters to handle emergencies, rescue, disaster or epidemic prevention and control, or for other special reasons at the request of a competent Vietnamese authority.
Processing time (Article 16, Clause 5): 03 working days for cases (a)–(d); 12 working hours for cases (e)–(f), from the date of receipt of complete dossiers.
2. How it works in practice: the entry approval letter
In practice, the inviting/sponsoring party completes procedures with the immigration management authority, which reviews the case and notifies the immigration control unit at the border gate to issue the visa (the entry approval letter mechanism — Articles 16 and 17). The traveler submits their passport and a photo-attached declaration form to the immigration control unit to receive the visa sticker. This is the regular sponsorship procedure, not the 6 special cases of Article 18.
3. E-visa (EV): the key differences
The e-visa is governed by Articles 16a/19a of Law 47/2014 (added by Law 23/2023/QH15):
- Since 15/8/2023, e-visas are issued to citizens of all countries and territories (Resolution 127/NQ-CP);
- Foreigners apply online themselves; no sponsorship required;
- Validity not exceeding 90 days, single or multiple entry;
- Processing time 03 working days (Article 16a, Clause 2);
- Entry only through border gates permitted by the Government.
4. Quick comparison: border-gate issuance vs e-visa
- Procedure: e-visa is self-applied online; border-gate issuance requires the sponsor to obtain an approval letter in advance;
- Scope: e-visa is open to all nationalities; border-gate issuance under Article 18 is limited to 6 specific cases (or regular sponsorship);
- Where received: e-visa is a printable electronic document; border-gate issuance produces a visa sticker on the spot;
- NG1–NG4 categories cannot use e-visas and go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs channel (note on form NA1a, Circular 22/2023/TT-BCA).
5. Current visa fees
Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC (effective 01/4/2026): single-entry visa USD 25; multiple-entry visas: up to 90 days — USD 50; over 90 days to 180 days — USD 95; over 180 days to 1 year — USD 135; over 1 year to 2 years — USD 145; over 2 years to 5 years — USD 155; over 5 years to 10 years — USD 165. Children under 14: USD 25. Note: the e-visa fees (USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple) follow the announcement on the National Public Service Portal.
6. Note on changing visa purpose
Visas may not be converted to another purpose, except in the cases stated in Article 7, Clause 4 of Law 47/2014 — travelers wishing to change purpose should carefully check this provision in consolidated document 62 before proceeding.
For reference only; not legal advice. This content was drafted by AI and reviewed by the QA council of FLAT Law Firm; it is not legal advice from a human lawyer. Regulations may change; please check the current legal texts before relying on this information.
Need advice on entry procedures, visas or entry approval letters? Contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
For reference only, not legal advice. Content quality-checked by the AI Legal Council; not yet reviewed by a human lawyer.