Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting millions of visitors each year with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine.
For South African travelers, obtaining a visa to visit Vietnam can be a daunting task as there are confusing guidance on how to get Vietnam tourist visa on South African passport.
As you may know after Covid, Vietnam has imposed a stricter visa regulation, still, Vietnam visa on arrival option is available. And in this article, we will guide in details how to get Vietnam visa on arrival with us Vietnamvisavoa.com
What is Vietnam Visa on Arrival?
Vietnam visa on arrival is a process and we also refer it as a type of visa (VOA) that allows travelers to apply and receive their visa upon arrival at Vietnam's international airports. It is the best option for those who wish to obtain Vietnam visa in the simplest way. After COVID-19, the Vietnamese government has made changes to the visa requirements. While it is now possible for South Africans to apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA), the process is more complicated than before.
Below is the full guidance for obtaining a VOA for South Africans in 2023
How to apply for Vietnam VOA on South African passport?
To apply for a Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA), you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact a trusted travel agency
You will need to find a reliable Vietnam visa agency or travel agency that provides VOA services. You can search for one online, and it is best to choose an agency that has a good reputation and positive reviews.
Note: Travelers cannot apply VOA directly with Vietnam Immigration Dept.
Step 2: Submit documents
Once you have found a trusted travel agency, you will need to submit your personal details, including:
- Passport copy page (with at least 6-month of validity)
- Travel history (Some visa pages/ Resident card of other country) For VOA, we prefer applicants with strong travel history as it is highly possible that your visas will be granted.
- Your flight ticket reservation (booking without payment)
- Hotel reservation
- Travel plan in Vietnam
Note: Above is the visa requirement on tourism purpose for South African at Vietnamvisavoa.com. Requirement may not be the same between different providers. Some agencies require applicants to book a full package tour with them, some others ask applicants to book day tours, hotels with them. At Vietnamvisavoa.com, booking tours is not compulsory.
Step 3: Pay Vietnam visa service fee
After reviewing all of your details we will inform you with your specific fee according to the processing time and the possible validity of the visa granted. Clients will pay for Vietnam visa service by secured payment link provided by us.
Step 4: Receive the visa approval letter
Once your payment has been confirmed, the travel agency will process your Vietnam visa application at Vietnam Immigration Department and send you Vietnam visa approval letter via email. This typically takes from 5-12 working days to process depending on specific cases.
Once you receive the visa approval letter, you need to print it out and prepare the necessary documents, including the entry and exit form, 01 passport photos, and the visa stamping fee (in cash). You would take these documents along with your passport and show them at the check in counter, fly into Vietnam.
Step 5: Get Vietnam visa stamped upon arrival
Upon arrival at the Vietnam airport, you will need to submit your passport along with your visa approval letter, entry and exit form, passport photos, and visa stamping fee to the immigration officer, who will then stamp your Vietnam visa sticker into your passport.
What are the fees for VOA?
There are two kinds of fees for applicant to cover when you apply for Vietnam visa on arrival:
1. Vietnam visa service fee:
This type of fee is submitted to the visa agent or travel agency for helping you grant the Vietnam Visa Approval Letter by Vietnam Immigration. The fee varies depending on the type of visa, your nationality and the agency you choose. Also, this fee might change from time to time. You are recommended to check with the provider for the exact fee at the time of your Vietnam visa application.
2. Stamping fee:
Besides the service fee (visa letter approval fee), upon arrival, you must pay a stamping fee of $25 US for single entry or $50 US for multiple entries in cash to get a Vietnam visa sticker on your passport. This stamping fee is paid directly to Immigration Officer for getting visa sticker on your passport.
What is the validity of a VOA on tourism purpose for South African?
The duration of validity for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for South Africans can be from 10 to 25 days, depending on the specific request and provided documents. Please contact directly to us (Whatsapp: +84.969.255.515) or email support@vietnamvisavoa.com so as for us to inform you specifically on your case.
Vietnam VOA in URGENT CASES for South Africans?
Yes, it is possible to process an urgent visa on arrival (VOA) with an extra processing fee for South Africans. On urgent basis, a Vietnam visa can be done within 4-5 working days. It is recommended that you should contact our visa consultant with your travel plan and we will give you the most suitable option that meet your need.
Important note: At the moment (March 2023), individuals overseas can rely on a trustworthy agent to working on their behalf with the Immigration Department of Vietnam.
Frequent asked questions about Vietnam visa on arrival on South African passport.
1. Must I book a tour package in order to get my Vietnam visa application granted?
This really depends upon which agency do you work with. At Vietnamvisavoa.com, we do not require you to book any tours.
2. Can I enter Vietnam through any Vietnam airports?
Yes you can. As long as your Vietnam visa approval letter is still valid, you are able to land in any Vietnam International airport and collect Vietnam visa sticker on arrival.
3. Can I require multiple entry Vietnam visa letter?
Yes, possible if your travel plan shows that you need to reenter Vietnam. However, currently, we can get you multiple entry visa letter for maximum of 25 days only.
4. How far in advance should I apply for Vietnam visa on arrival?
There is no exact answer. As long as you are certain about your plan, you should submit your Vietnam visa request with us. Get ready for your Vietnam visa letter and you will be more secured to book flights, hotels and other services.
5. Will I get a refund if my Vietnam visa application is failed?
Yes of course. In case your Vietnam visa application is declined by Vietnam Immigration, we- vietnamvisavoa.com will refund you 100% Vietnam visa service fee that you pay for us.
In clusion, while procedure and requirement for Vietnam visa on arrival become more complicated after Covid. It is still possible for Vietnamvisavoa.com to assist South African with Vietnam visa letter in the simplest way. Do contact us for clear guidance and most updates news on Vietnam visa requirement on South African passport. Welcome you to Vietnam soon!
Vietnamvisavoa.com
Email: support@vietnamvisavoa.com
Hotline + 84 969 525 515 (Whatsapp I Viber I Wechat)
