What is Visa on Arrival: VOA | Swift Passport Services (2024)

  • Subscribe to Stay Updated!

    Get our latest posts delivered right to your inbox.

  • What is Visa on Arrival: VOA | Swift Passport Services (1)

    It can be hard to remember everything that you need to pack for an international trip. Besides making sure that your personal belongings are gathered, some countries require that you obtain a visa to enter. One way that you can go about this is by obtaining a visa on arrival (VOA). This allows you to get your visa upon landing at your destination country instead of getting your visa ahead of time. If you’re interested in getting a VOA, here’s what you should know:

    What Does VOA (Visa on Arrival) Mean?

    A visa on arrival (VOA) allows you to obtain a visa upon landing at your destination country rather than obtaining your visa before your trip. People may choose to get a VOA instead of obtaining a visa ahead of time because they don’t have time to get a visa before their trip, or maybe they forgot to obtain a visa.

    Though obtaining a visa on arrival may be a good option for some travelers, it may not be a good option for everyone. There can be some difficulties to obtaining a VOA that you may not know about, such as:

    • VOAs Are Not Available in Every Country:Some countries that require a visa to enter do not offer a visa on arrival. If a country does offer a VOA, they may only offer it for tourist visas and not business visas or vice versa.
    • Countries Change Visa Requirements Frequently:Some visa on arrival countries change their visa requirements frequently and with little notice.
    • There’s Still Prep Work to Do For a Visa On Arrival:While you don’t have to go through the entire visa application process for a VOA, you still need to do some preliminary work. Vietnam offers VOAs, and the country requires you to secure an official letter of approval from an agent in Vietnam before you arrive in the country. Other countries may have different requirements, such as applying for a VOA online before your departure.
    • Long Wait Times Are Common on Arrival:It’s not uncommon to wait 3 hours or longer during the busy season at some airports. Finding the line you need can be confusing and tough, and public holidays in your destination country can significantly delay your visa processing.
    • Watch Out For Variable Fees, Cash Only, and Scams:You need to be careful when obtaining a VOA as you could become a victim of a scam. For example, theDepartment of State websitewarns that some American citizens reported being charged unexpected and exorbitant fees upon landing in Vietnam. TheVietnam Embassy websiteadditionally warns about websites suspected of defrauding travelers.

      Are There Alternate Options to Visa on Arrival?

      An alternate option to a VOA is to obtain your visa ahead of time (if available). This is typically the best option as you don’t have to worry about dealing with obtaining a visa on arrival. You’ll already have your visa in hand when boarding your flight, which will give you peace of mind. If you’re looking to get a visa for an upcoming trip, you can learn more about obtaining anexpedited visaorbusiness visaon our website.

      Please note that some countries don’t offer the option to get a traditional visa, such as the United Arab Emirates.

      Who Can I Contact if I Need Help With My Visa?

      If you have any questions about obtaining a visa through Swift, pleasecontact our team. We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have and can work on helping you obtain a visa for your international travels.

      What is Visa on Arrival: VOA | Swift Passport Services (2)

      Rob Lee

      Rob Lee is co-founder of Swift Passport and Visa Services. Originally from Michigan, Rob is a Yoga Teacher- YTT200, an avid fisherman, SCUBA diver who enjoys adventure travel.

      9 thoughts on “What is Visa on Arrival: VOA”

        1. U.S. citizens may obtain visas upon arrival at a port-of-entry in Malawi. The current fee for a 3-month single-entry visa is $75;

          Reply

        1. It depends on the country and the port of entry. Generally they would be available for land or sea ports of entry as well.

          Reply

      1. I read that Maldives temporarily suspends VOA for all nationalities. In practical terms that means that if you are a tourist, you are denied entry. Right?. Why not just close the airport rather then having people fly in just to be denied entry and sent back

        Reply

      2. My fiancé is arriving to Michigan on 4 months and we will be getting married 21 days later. He planned to stay one year. Will he be able to stay in America for the duration or will he have to return to his country, Thank you!

        Reply

      Leave a Comment

      What is Visa on Arrival: VOA | Swift Passport Services (2024)

      FAQs

      What is Visa on Arrival: VOA | Swift Passport Services? ›

      A visa on arrival (VOA) allows you to obtain a visa upon landing at your destination country rather than obtaining your visa before your trip. People may choose to get a VOA instead of obtaining a visa ahead of time because they don't have time to get a visa before their trip, or maybe they forgot to obtain a visa.

      What is the visa on arrival message? ›

      If the passenger only has a photocopy or faxed copy of the visa or e-visa, the visa-on-arrival message is mandatory in the booking. The passenger must produce a copy of the e-visa or printout at a reservation office in India or one of the above countries.

      What are the requirements for visa on arrival in Nigeria? ›

      Gather Requirements

      Prepare all required documents for the visa application: Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages for endorsem*nt. International Passport Biodata page of each delegate. Flight itinerary of each delegate.

      How to fill out Bali visa? ›

      You need to upload a photo and fill in your personal information including passport details. Then, you can start filling in the application form. You'll need your flight details, arrival and departure dates and also the details of where you're going to be staying in Bali.

      What is a visa on arrival? ›

      Visa on arrival means that travellers must obtain a visa in order to enter the destination country, but it can be obtained upon arrival. Visitors do not need to apply for a travel visa beforehand. Visa required means that travellers must apply for a visa to the country before actually travelling there.

      How do I answer visa status? ›

      How should I answer the visa question? You should answer the question in an honest, direct, clear, concise and confident manner. If you are nervous or unsure, the employer will pick up on these signals and may not be able to stay focused on your skills and qualifications. Avoid excessive detail.

      How to fill visa on arrival? ›

      Step 1: Arrive at the destination country and go to the immigration counter. Step 2: Get the visa form and fill it up. Step 3: Attach all the required documents along with the form and submit it to immigration officer. Step 4: Pay the required visa fee in local currency.

      Can a US citizen get a Nigerian visa on arrival? ›

      You must receive a Visa on Arrival approval document from a Nigerian embassy or consulate prior to travel to Nigeria. A Visa on Arrival is only available for the purpose of business travel, as defined by the Nigerian government. No Visa on Arrival is available for tourism.

      Do US citizens need visa on arrival? ›

      Visa requirements for United States citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states that are imposed on citizens of the United States. As of 2024, holders of a United States passport may travel to 188 countries and territories without a travel visa, or with a visa on arrival.

      How much does visa on arrival cost in Nigeria? ›

      Prior to this, the biometric fee for Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) applications was USD 90. This means that foreign nationals intending to obtain VOA approval on the NIS portal will now be required to pay USD 170 (except U.S. nationals), in addition to the applicable visa and transaction fees.

      Do US citizens need a visa for Bali? ›

      If you plan to stay in Indonesia for more than 30 days or are traveling for a purpose other than tourism, you need to obtain your visa for Indonesia before you depart.

      How much is VOA in Bali? ›

      If you're after a visa for Bali – or anywhere in Indonesia for that matter – because you intend to stay in the country longer than 30 days, you'll need what's known as a Visa On Arrival (VoA). This type of Indonesian visa can be extended only once, and costs about AU$50 (US$35).

      What documents do I need to enter Bali? ›

      Yes, you need a Visa for traveling to Bali, unless you are a national of one of the 9 ASEAN countries or Timor Leste. For tourists and standard visits (not working) there are two Visas available. Which Visa depends on your nationality, travel purpose and length of stay.

      Can I get a visa on arrival at the airport? ›

      A visa on arrival, as the name suggests, is a type of visa that is issued at the entry point of a country. This could be an airport, a land checkpoint, or a sea-port. In contrast to an Embassy visa, to obtain a visa on arrival you do not need to apply for a visa before traveling, which allows for smoother travel.

      Is visa on arrival free? ›

      You must fill out an application, provide necessary documents, and often pay a visa fee. Your stay is typically limited and varies by country, ranging from a few days to a few months. Overstaying a visa on arrival can result in fines or other penalties. No prior application, fee payment, or paperwork is required.

      What is the difference between visa on arrival and entry visa? ›

      eVisa: Again, an eVisa is like an embassy visa but applied for online. They are typically limited to travel for tourism. Visa on arrival: Also called a border gate visa, you can get this type of visa at the border as you enter a country. You will still be required to provide documentation and pay a fee.

      What is visa on arrival and no visa? ›

      Visa on arrival implies that you can obtain a visa when you arrive at your destination's airport or border checkpoint. Visa-free travel for Indians means that Indian passport holders can enter a country without a visa for a specified duration.

      What happens if visa on arrival is rejected? ›

      Yes, you can reapply for a visa if your visa application gets rejected. You can ask the visa officer for a reason for visa rejection. You can try to avoid the reason when you apply for the visa again.

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Pres. Carey Rath

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5988

      Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

      Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Pres. Carey Rath

      Birthday: 1997-03-06

      Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

      Phone: +18682428114917

      Job: National Technology Representative

      Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

      Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.