Visa on Arrival.
A visa on arrival is a permit to enter the territory of a country, issued by the officials/border guards of the country. A visa on arrival, as its name suggests, is obtained upon arrival at the port of entry of the country that issues it.
It is usually issued in the form of a stamp on one of the pages of a traveler’s passport. Some countries issue it in the form of a card or printed document. In both cases, you should be very careful not to lose your visa on arrival, often shortly called a VoA, since you will be asked to present it later when you leave.
The Visa on arrival stamp/card contains the date you have entered into that specific country, as well as the last date when you must leave. A VoA issued in the form of a card usually contains your name and your ID/passport number as well.
Who Qualifies for a Visa on Arrival?
In order to be eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival to your destination country, you should:
- Possess a valid passport.
- Be entering the country for tourism or business purposes.
- Be a national of one of the countries that fall under the VoA program.
- Be a frequent visitor to that country.
Please note that the qualification criteria differ from one country to the other. Some countries have very few criteria while others have set more requirements. You should consult with the embassy/consulate of your destination country in your country of residence for more information in this regard.
How to Apply for a Visa on Arrival?
The application process for a Visa on arrival differs from one country to another. Depending on the country you are visiting, you may apply for a Visa on Arrival in two forms:
- Online, before starting your trip to your destination country.
- Upon showing up at the border of your destination country, through air, land or sea.
Online Application for a Visa on Arrival
If you are applying for a Visa on arrival online, before your trip to the country you wish to visit, follow the steps listed below:
- Find out if the country you wish to visit offers visas on arrival.
- Check if you qualify for a visa on arrival in that country.
- Apply through the official website of that country (be careful not to fall for scam websites that charge you multiple times more).
- Pay the fee for a VoA.
- Save the number/code you receive upon application.
When you show up at the border of your destination country show this number/code and receive your VoA.
In-Person Application at Port of Entry
If you are applying in person for a Visa on arrival, upon reaching the port of entry of the country you wish to visit, follow the steps listed below:
- Find out if the country you wish to visit offers visas on arrival.
- Check if you qualify for a visa on arrival in that country.
- Collect the documents required for a VoA.
- Travel to your destination country.
- Upon arrival, go to the first counter.
- Complete an application form / arrival card.
- Present the required documents.
- Pay the VoA fee.
- Receive your passport entry stamp/visa card.
Please note that this is only a standard procedure to obtain a visa on arrival. You should consult with the embassy/consulate of your destination country in your country of residence for more exact information in this regard.
Required Documents to Apply for a Visa on Arrival
The standard required documents for a Visa on Arrival for most of the world countries offering a VOA are as follow:
- Valid passport. Most countries will set a minimum validity of your passport, i.e. three months.
- A valid return ticket.
- Visa Approval Letter (for online applications).
- Recent passport size photographs.
How Much Does a Visa on Arrival Cost?
A Visa on Arrival costs differently in each country. In most cases, the fee depends on the traveler’s nationality, the number of days they plan to stay, the number of entries, as well as their age. I.e. below find the fees for some of the countries offering visas on arrival.
| Country | Fee |
| Turkey | $20 |
| Jamaica | $100 |
| Egypt | Single Entry – $25 Multiple Entry – $60 |
| Tanzania | Single entry – $50 ($100 for US passport holders) Multiple Entry – $100 Business Visa – $250 |
| Vietnam | Single Entry – $25
Multiple Entry – $50 |
Which Countries Offer Visa on Arrival?
Find below the list of countries offering visas on arrival for travelers. Please note that the majority of them have eligibility criteria mostly based on nationality. The list is as follows:
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Benin | Bolivia |
| Botswana | Burkina Faso | Cambodia |
| Cape Verde Islands | Comores Islands | Djibouti |
| Egypt | Ethiopia | Gabon |
| Guinea-Bissau | Guyana | Honduras |
| Iran | Jamaica | Jordan |
| Kenya | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan |
| Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho |
| Macao (SAR China) | Madagascar | Malawi |
| Maldives | Marshall Islands | Mauritania |
| Mauritius | Mayotte | Mongolia |
| Morocco | Mozambique | Namibia |
| Nepal | Nicaragua | Oman |
| Palau Islands | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay |
| Qatar | Reunion | Rwanda |
| Samoa | Sao Tome and Principe | Senegal |
| Seychelles | Somalia | Solomon Islands |
| South Africa | Sri Lanka | Saint Helena |
| Suriname | Sudan | Swaziland |
| Syria | Tajikistan | Tanzania |
| Timor-Leste | Togo | Tunisia |
| Turkey | Tuvalu | Uganda |
| United Arab Emirates | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
What Is the Difference Between a Regular Visa and a Visa on Arrival?
You will need to apply for a regular visa from your country of residence. You will need to collect several statutory documents and submit them at the embassy/consulate of the country you wish to visit. Upon arrival at your destination country, you only need to present your visa to the border police, and then enter.
On the other hand, you will have to apply for a visa on arrival online or only upon arrival. The process is quick and way easier since fewer documents are required from you and the application takes less time. In addition, the fee is cheaper than for a regular visa.
What Is the Difference Between an E-Visa and a Visa on Arrival?
The main difference between a visa on arrival and an e-Visa, is that you will have to complete all procedures for the latter from outside of your destination country.
Upon arrival, you will only need to present your printed e-visa confirmation to the border guards, without having to follow any other procedures. Moreover, e-visa fees are usually cheaper than the cost of a visa on arrival.
What Is the Difference Between Visa on Arrival and Visa-Free Entry?
If you are entitled to enter visa-free at your destination country, then all you need to carry is your passport. You will not need to apply for anything else before your trip, or upon arrival in this country.
