South African passport holders living in South Africa or living in other countries around the world often come to Vietnam embassies or consulates to apply for a visa. For example, in South Africa, the representative that receives and approves visas is Vietnam embassy in Pretoria. However, this is not the only way to get a Vietnam visa. South Africans can completely apply for a visa in a faster and more convenient way.

1. Visa on arrival – Get approval letter online and get visa at Vietnam airport

Visa on arrival is the type of visa processed directly at the Vietnam airport when landing. South Africans can now apply for a visa on arrival to Vietnam form one month to three months, so this visa is very popular. South Africans and countries around the world use this visa regularly because it has so many advantages:

• Extremely simple visa application: Instead of having to prepare many complicated documents to submit at the embassy / consulate, you just need to fill in the online visa application form to get a letter of approval and then getting visa at the airport.
• Fast processing time for visa: Within 2 working days, you will receive an email of approval letter. You can also get this approval letter faster in case of unexpected trip. This will help you organize your trip to Vietnam better.
• Save time: You do not need to move anywhere to apply. The whole process of getting the approval letter will be done online, which saves you a lot of time.
• Cost savings: in addition to saving travel costs when applying for a visa, the cost of obtaining visa on arrival is also cheaper than the cost of applying for a visa at an embassy / consulate.

2. What is an approval letter and how do you apply for this letter?

The approval letter is an official document of the Vietnam Immigration Department, which clearly states that the persons named in the document are allowed to get visas at Vietnam airports. So, just with the approval letter, you will definitely get a visa when landing at Vietnam airport.

How to get a letter of approval?

The approval letter is available online. South African citizens who come to Vietnam do not need to prepare any documents for submitting, just fill out the online application.

Step 1: You access the link below to request a letter of approval. Note that fill out the personal information, type of visa, date of entry and exit, place of entry, email address to receive approval letter, etc.

https://www.vietnamimmigration.com/apply-vietnam-visa/

It only takes about 2 minutes for you to complete the online application form

Step 2: You pay for the service fee. The cost of a one-month entry type for South Africans is 6 USD.

Step 3: Receive approval letter. After two business days, the letter of approval will be sent to your email address. Remember to double check the information after you receive it, and print it out to use for visa at the airport.

3. Get visa on arrival at Vietnam airport

After landing at Vietnam airport, you come to the “visa on arrival” counter and submit the following documents to get the visa:

• Approval letter (copy, print)
• Passport (original)
• Visa application form (obtained at the airport)
• Two 3×4 cm photos (white background, taken in the last 6 months)
• Cash for visa on arrival fee: USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry.

The immigration officer will receive your application and paste the visa onto your passport. The procedure is extremely easy and fast. At this time, you just need to hold your passport and enter Vietnam.

In conclusion, through these simple steps, you can obtain a visa to enter Vietnam without having to spend time and effort going to the Vietnamese embassy / consulate. The length of stay with this visa is from 1 month to 3 months, so it is suitable for both short-term or long-term tourism in Vietnam.