Official Vietnam Visa Approval Letter

How the Vietnam Visa approval letter works

A Vietnam visa approval letter is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, granting a named individual or group of travelers permission to board a flight to Vietnam and collect a visa stamp upon landing at a designated international airport.

It is a pre-authorization document that enables the visa stamping process to take place at the airport. The actual visa is only issued after the letter is presented at the VOA counter together with the required documents and stamping fee.

The approval letter differs from an e-visa in one key respect, an e-visa is a standalone travel document that allows direct entry, while the approval letter is simply the first step in a two-stage process that concludes at the airport.

Who needs a Vietnam visa approval letter?

The approval letter is required for foreign nationals who wish to enter Vietnam via visa on arrival. However, the following travelers are exempt and do not need one:

• Holders of a valid Vietnam e-visa
• Holders of a valid Vietnam permanent residence card or temporary residence card
• Holders of a valid 5-year visa exemption certificate
• Holders of a valid APEC Business Travel Card covering Vietnam
• Travelers entering under a bilateral or unilateral Vietnam visa exemption agreement

Sample of a Vietnam Visa Approval letter

The current format of the Vietnam visa approval letter, no longer carries a red stamp as previous versions did. Instead, it features an electronic signature from the Vietnam Immigration Department. A valid approval letter will contain:

• An official statement authorizing the named holder(s) to enter Vietnam and collect a visa stamp at the airport
• Personal details of each traveler listed: full name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality
• The permitted duration of stay in Vietnam
• The electronic signature of the Vietnam Immigration Department

*Note: Approval letters are sometimes issued on a group basis, meaning multiple travelers may appear on the same document. This is standard practice and does not affect the validity of the letter.

Example approval letter sent after successful registration.

Types of Vietnam visa approval letter

Approval letters are categorized in two ways, by purpose of visit and by where the visa stamp is collected:

By purpose of visit:

• Tourist visa approval letter
• Business visa approval letter
• Family visit visa approval letter

By stamping location:

• Visa on arrival approval letter, for travelers collecting their visa at a Vietnam international airport
• Embassy visa approval letter, for travelers collecting their visa at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate abroad

Documents to prepare before applying

The documents required vary depending on the purpose of entry and are prepared by the sponsoring company in Vietnam:

For a tourist visa approval letter:

• Certified copy of the sponsoring company’s Business Registration Certificate
• Completed Vietnam Entry Application Form (NA2)
• Introduction form of sample signature and seal of the sponsoring company (Form NA16)
• Copy of the applicant’s passport

For a business visa approval letter:

• Certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate
• Completed Form NA2
• Form NA16
• Copy of the applicant’s passport
• Additional supporting documents may be requested by the Immigration Department

For a family visit visa approval letter:

• Certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate
• Completed Form NA2
• Form NA16
• Copy of the applicant’s passport
• Detailed itinerary in Vietnam

The application process is handled online by the sponsoring company through its registered account on the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security. Individual travelers cannot apply directly.

If you do not have a sponsor in Vietnam or your sponsor is unfamiliar with the process, apply through online application form or contact our team directly for assisted processing.

Processing time and fees

The approval letter itself is issued free of charge by the Vietnam Immigration Department. However, costs are associated with the document preparation and processing handled by the sponsoring company or visa agency.

Standard processing times for a tourist visa on arrival approval letter range from 7–10 working days. Expedited processing is available in 3–5 working days, or as quickly as the same day for urgent cases. For time-sensitive applications, refer to our emergency Vietnam visa service.

Upon arrival in Vietnam, the following stamping fees apply:

Important notes

• Validity: A Vietnam visa approval letter is valid for between 10 – 90 days depending on the visa type and intended itinerary
• Group letters: The approval letter may list multiple travelers on a single document. This is standard and does not affect individual entry rights
• Airport only: The VOA approval letter is only valid for entry at one of Vietnam’s 8 designated international airports. It cannot be used at land or sea border crossings unless specifically issued for that purpose
• Not a guarantee of entry: Possession of a valid approval letter does not guarantee entry into Vietnam. Final entry decisions rest with the immigration officer at the port of entry

Whether you are applying for the first time, dealing with an urgent situation, or unsure which visa type suits your trip. Our team is available 24/7 to assist with any visa-related query, from standard applications to emergency processing.

• Phone/WhatsApp: (+84) 856 598 868
• Email: info@simplevietnamvisa.com

*Visa requirements and regulations are referenced based on the official guidelines from the Immigration Department of Vietnam

Frequently Asked Questions