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Compare Vietnam visa on arrival and Vietnam E-visa

Hoa Nguyen Last update: Feb 10, 2020

Updated: as from February 1, 2017, travelers to Vietnam has one additional option to get Vietnam visa, namely evisa (electronic visa).

So, at the moment, there are up to 3 ways to obtain a visa for Vietnam, consisting of:

Obtain the visa at Vietnam embassy/consulate;
Obtain the visa on arrival; or
Obtain an evisa

The first option is made offline at the embassy while the following two options are made online. In another post, we gave you a detailed comparison between Vietnam visa on arrival vs. embassy visa. And in this post, we will make a brief comparison between these two online options for Vietnam visa only, ie. visa on arrival vs. evisa.

Item	Vietnam visa on arrival	Vietnam e-visa
Issuing authority	Vietnam Immigration Department	Vietnam Immigration Department
Eligible applicants	All those traveling to Vietnam by air	Citizens of 81 countries only. See the list here.
Visa validity	1 month single/multiple entry 3 months single/multiple entry 1 year multiple entry (for US passport holders)	1 month single entry only
Visa fees	Depending on your visa type, refunded in case of refused visa application. ► You can see exactly how much you need to pay for your visa on arrival here.	US $25, non-refundable in case of refused visa applications
How to get	Submit online application form at https://booking.vietnam-visa.com/step1.html Get visa approval letter via email Get visa stamped at Vietnam airport ► See details about Steps for getting visa on arrival for Vietnam Or Apply now	Access to https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ and select the right section for application Follow the steps to upload your photos and complete the evisa application form Remember the code to check the visa status and download the evisa if issued ► See details at Vietnam e-visa application
Processing time	Normally 02 working days for tourist visa approval letter or even faster (2-4 worrking hours) upon request	Normally 03 working days to know whether the visa application is approved or not
Entry gates	8 international airports of Vietnam in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Da Lat, HCMC, Can Tho, Phu Quoc	33 ports (air, land and sea)
Advantages	You can switch your arrival port among 8 airports above no matter which one is mentioned in your letter One application can be made for multiple travelers	Have visa in passport before departure for Vietnam
Disadvantages	You may need to wait for up to 30 minutes or 1 hour at Vietnam airport for visa stamping. But this issue can be solved with our Fast-track service	You must enter and exit Vietnam in the ports mentioned in your evisa. In case you change them, you need to obtain a new one. One application is for one person only