Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Hard Countries – A Complete Guide
Traveling to Vietnam is an exciting experience, but for some nationalities, obtaining a visa can be more challenging. While Vietnam offers Visa on Arrival (VOA) for many travelers, some countries face stricter regulations. In this guide, Le Travel will explain what “hard countries” are, the challenges travelers from these nations face, and how to successfully obtain Vietnam VOA for hard countries.
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What is a Hard Country for Vietnam Visa?
In the context of Vietnam’s visa policies, “hard countries” refer to nations whose citizens encounter additional difficulties when applying for a visa. These difficulties arise due to diplomatic relationships, security concerns, or high rates of overstays and visa violations.
Lists of Hard Countries
While Vietnam does not officially publish a list of “hard countries,” travelers from the following nations often report more restrictions:
NO. | COUNTRY NAME | CODE | NO. | COUNTRY NAME | CODE |
1 | Afghanistan | AFG | 30 | Lesotho | LSO |
2 | Angola | AGO | 31 | Madagascar | MDG |
3 | Bangladesh | BAN | 32 | Mali | MLI |
4 | Burundi | BDI | 33 | Mozambique | MOZ |
5 | Benin | BEN | 34 | Mauritania | MRT |
6 | Burkina Faso | BFA | 35 | Mauritius | MUS |
7 | Botswana | BWA | 36 | Namibia | NAM |
8 | Central African Republic | CAF | 37 | Niger | NER |
9 | Ivory Coast | CIV | 38 | Nigeria | NGA |
10 | Cameroon | CMR | 39 | Pakistan | PAK |
11 | Congo | COG | 40 | Palestine | PAL |
12 | Democratic Republic of Congo | COG | 41 | Rwanda | RWA |
13 | Comoros | COM | 42 | Western Sahara | SAH |
14 | Cape Verde | CPV | 43 | Sudan | SDN |
15 | Djibouti | DJI | 44 | Senegal | SEN |
16 | Egypt | EGY | 45 | Sierra Leone | SLE |
17 | Eritrea | ERI | 46 | Somalia | SOM |
18 | Ethiopia | ETH | 47 | South Sudan | SSD |
19 | Gabon | GAB | 48 | São Tomé and Príncipe | STP |
20 | Gambia | GMB | 49 | Eswatini | SWZ |
21 | Guinea | GIN | 50 | Seychelles | SYC |
22 | Guinea-Bissau | GNB | 51 | Syria | SYR |
23 | Equatorial Guinea | GNQ | 52 | Chad | TCD |
24 | Iran | IRN | 53 | Togo | TGO |
25 | Iraq | IRQ | 54 | Tanzania | TZA |
26 | Kenya | KEN | 55 | Uganda | UGA |
27 | Lebanon | LBN | 56 | Yemen | YEM |
28 | Liberia | LBR | 57 | Zambia | ZMB |
29 | Libya | LBY | 58 | Zimbabwe | ZWE |
Citizens from these nations usually do not qualify for e-visas and must go through a more complex application process – Visa on Arrival (VOA).
Challenges for Hard Countries in Getting a Vietnam Visa
If you hold a passport from a hard country, you may face the following challenges:
- Low E-Visa Issuance Rate – The Vietnam e-visa is difficult to obtain for travelers from hard countries, requiring them to amend the application many times.
- Additional Documentation Required – You may need to provide extra documents such as proof of financial stability, hotel bookings, and a travel itinerary.
- Longer Processing Times – Standard visa processing may take longer, sometimes up to a week.
- Higher Rejection Rates – Applications may be rejected due to past visa violations, missing documents, or other concerns.
Obtaining Vietnam VOA for Hard Countries
While getting a VOA for hard countries can be more difficult, it is still possible if you follow the correct steps:
Step 1: Apply for an Approval Letter
To get a Visa on Arrival, foreigners have to apply for an entry Approval Letter from a trusted travel agency in advance.
To apply for an approval letter, you have to provide some documents and information below:
- Photo of your passport (valid for at least six months)
- Return flight ticket
- Hotel booking
- Intended travel itinerary in Vietnam
- Travel history: Visa from developed countries (such as visas from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Schengen,…)
The letter will be processed within 5-7 working days. Do not forget to print out your letter in advance for smooth entry procedures!
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Note: To increase your chances of approval, follow these tips:
- Double-check all documents.
- Give yourself plenty of time in case of delays.
- Use a reputable visa service that can help navigate the process. You can refer to Vietnam Online Visa for an approval letter at the cheapest cost!
- Show proof of hotel bookings and return flights.
- Provide financial proof if required.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents to Get VOA for Hard Countries
Typically, you’ll need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity and blank pages;
- A printed copy of your approval letter;
- Completed visa application form (NA1);
- 2 passport-sized photos;
- Visa application fee:
- Single entry: 25$
- Multiple entry: 50$
Step 3: Get the Visa on Arrival
- Submit Your Documents: Go to the Visa on Arrival counter before proceeding to immigration, and present your documents to the customs officer;
- Pay the Stamping Fee;
- Receive Your Visa on Arrival: The sticker visa will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to proceed through immigration.
*Note: You can refer to the comprehensive guide to entry procedures here!
Pros:
- No need to visit an embassy or consulate beforehand.
- Faster processing, especially with express approval services.
Cons:
- Waiting time at the airport can vary depending on the queue. But this problem will be solved if you book our Fast-track service.
How to Extend the VOA for Hard countries?
Visa extension is the process of extending the validity of your current visa on arrival, allowing you to stay in Vietnam longer than your initial visa allows instead of leaving the country and applying for a new visa. This option is available for various types of visas, including tourist and business visas, and the duration of the extension depends on the type of visa and your circumstances.
To extend your visa, you need to follow these steps below:
Step 1: Prepare the Documents
You need to prepare the following documents:
- Original passport: Valid for at least 2 months from the date of re-entry to Vietnam and has at least 2 blank pages.
- Vietnam visa: Your current visa on arrival.
Step 2: Start the Extension Process
- Submit your documents directly to the Immigration Department or through a visa service agency. Using an agency can simplify the process, as they handle all the paperwork and communication with immigration officials on your behalf. You can refer to our visa extension service for more details!
- Pay the extension fee
- Wait for processing: The processing time for a visa extension is usually 5-7 working days. It’s essential to submit your application well before your current visa expires to avoid any penalties.
Step 3: Get Your Extension Stamp
- Once approved, you will receive your passport with an updated visa stamp indicating your new expiration date.
- Complete the extension process.
Conclusion
Getting a Vietnam Visa on Arrival from a hard country can be challenging but not impossible. By preparing well, working with a trusted visa agency, and ensuring all requirements are met, you can increase your chances of approval.
Need assistance with your Vietnam visa application? Contact Le Travel today to get started!
