Visa on arrival – List of issuing countries

A visa on arrival is a type of travel authorization that allows a foreign national to enter a country without obtaining a visa in advance. Instead, the traveler can apply for and receive a visa at the port of entry, such as an airport or a border crossing. A visa on arrival is usually valid for a short period of time, ranging from a few days to a few months, depending on the country and the purpose of the visit.

Which countries issue visa on arrival?

The list of nations that provide visas on arrival is as follows:

To find out if a country issues visas on arrival for your nationality, you can check the official website of the destination country’s immigration or foreign affairs department.

How to apply for a visa on arrival?

To apply for visa on arrival, you need to follow these steps:

• Fill out the visa application form and pay the visa fee at the port of entry. The visa fee may vary depending on the country, the duration, and the purpose of the visit. You may need to pay the fee in cash.
• Submit the visa application form and the required documents to the immigration officer. The officer may ask you some questions about your travel plans and the reason for your visit. 
• Receive the visa stamp or sticker on your passport and enter the country. The visa stamp or sticker will indicate the date of entry, the date of expiry, and the number of entries allowed. You must comply with the visa conditions and the local laws during your stay.

Documents required for a visa on arrival

The documents required for a visa on arrival may vary depending on the country and the type of visa. But among the often used documents are:

• A passport with two blank pages and good for at least six months from the date of admission.
• A filled-out visa application form and a current passport-sized picture.
• A visa fee in the local currency or in United States dollars, depending on the country.
• A confirmed ticket for a subsequent or return flight.
• A proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, such as a bank statement, a credit card, or a traveler’s cheque.
• A proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation, a rental agreement, or a letter from a host.
• A health certificate.
• A travel insurance that covers medical expenses, repatriation, and emergency evacuation, if required by the country.
• A letter of invitation or sponsorship, a business card, or a letter from an employer or a client, if you are traveling for business or work purposes.
• A letter of consent from a parent or a guardian, a birth certificate, or a copy of the passport of the parent or the guardian, if you are traveling with a minor.

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of documents and that the requirements may change at any time. You should always check the latest information from the official sources before traveling.

Visa on arrival processing time

It could take a few minutes to many hours to complete the process. Here are a few variables that could impact processing time:

• The availability and efficiency of the immigration staff and the visa officers.
• The completeness and accuracy of the visa application form and the supporting documents.
• The payment method and the currency exchange rate for the visa fee.
• The security checks and the biometric data collection.
• The queue length and the waiting time at the arrival terminal.

Reasons a visa on arrival is issued

There are various reasons why a country may choose to issue visas on arrival instead of requiring visas in advance. A few such causes could be:

• To promote tourism and trade by making it easier and faster for visitors to enter the country.
• To reduce the administrative and operational costs of processing visa applications at embassies or consulates abroad.
• To accommodate travelers who have urgent or unexpected travel plans and do not have enough time to apply for a visa in advance.
• To respond to changing geopolitical or security situations that may affect the visa requirements for certain countries or regions. 

What is the duration of a visa on arrival?

The duration of a visa on arrival depends on the country and the type of visa. Typically, a visa on arrival is valid for a short period of time, ranging from a few days to a few months, depending on the purpose of the visit. 

For example, some countries may issue visas on arrival for 15, 30, or 90 days for tourists, while others may issue visas on arrival for 7, 14, or 30 days for business travelers. The visa duration may also vary depending on the nationality and the passport of the traveler. Some countries may grant longer or shorter visa durations to certain countries or regions, based on bilateral or multilateral agreements or exemptions.

Can I extend a visa on arrival?

Some countries may allow you to extend your visa on arrival, while others may not. Some countries may have different extension policies for different visa categories or nationalities. Some countries may require you to apply for an extension before the visa expires, while others may allow you to apply for an extension after the visa expires, with a grace period or a penalty fee.

Difference between a visa on arrival and embassy visa

There are a few key variations, including:

• A visa on arrival is applied for and obtained at the port of entry, while an embassy visa is applied for and obtained at the embassy or consulate of the destination country in advance.
• A visa on arrival is usually easier and faster to obtain, while an embassy visa may require more time and effort to obtain.
• A visa on arrival may have fewer or simpler requirements, such as a passport, a visa fee, and a return ticket, while an embassy visa may have more or stricter requirements, such as a visa application form, a photo, a letter of invitation, or a travel itinerary.
• A visa on arrival may have a shorter validity and a lower cost, while an embassy visa may have a longer validity and a higher cost.
• A visa on arrival may have more restrictions and limitations, such as a single entry, a limited duration, or a specific purpose, while an embassy visa may have more flexibility and options, such as a multiple entry, a longer duration, or a broader purpose.