Visa on arrival sounds casual. The fine print is not.

  • Cash only. Stamping fees are often payable in crisp US dollars. Vietnam charges $25 or $50 at the airport. Card machines are not guaranteed.
  • Onward ticket required. No proof of leaving, no entry.
  • Airport only, in many cases. Vietnam's visa on arrival works at major international airports, not land borders. The e-visa covers 83 entry points instead.
  • Passport validity: 6 months minimum, nearly everywhere.
  • It is not available to every nationality at every border. The VOA list is per-passport.
Visa on Arrival Countries: the Fine Print Nobody Reads Until It Is Too Late
Image via Wikimedia Commons

Sources: U.S. State Department, IATA Travel Centre

Visa on arrival sounds easy until you meet the fine print: onward tickets, cash fees, and blank pages.

The move most experienced travelers make: get the e-visa instead. Same destinations, approved before departure, no airport queue, no cash scramble. Visa on arrival is a backup plan wearing a convenience costume.