Vietnam Visa on Arrival and Jetstar

[scmk]

I am travelling to Vietnam with my family (incl 2 young children) late December (flying Jetstar ex Darwin) and am keen to use the Visa on Arrival pre-approval system (it works out $240 cheaper than applying to the Consulate directly and far more convenient). My research suggests it is a legitimate visa service, however I am concerned as to whether Jetstar has any issue accepting the email confirmation that you receive when you go to check in. I called Jetstar up and they said they don't check visas at all, which seems strange...the last thing I want is to be denied boarding with a young family a few days before Christmas.

Has anyone used Visa on Arrival for Vietnam on the Jetstar flight to HCM City? If so, I'd appreciate hearing of your experiences.

 

[admin]

I used the Visa On Arrival system about a year ago (see http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/visa-for-vietnam-12958.html#post188844) on a JetStar flight from Singapore to HCM. No problems at all. (I can't recall Jetstar inspecting the visa at check-in in Singapore)

 

[auriga]

Are you sure it works out cheaper?

Don't you have to pay a visa fee in Vietnam with this arrangement?

 

[scmk]

Hi Auriga, yes the Visa on Arrival is cheaper even after taking into account the fee payable at HCM airport...the pre approval online authorisation letter costs US$18 (via Hotels-in-Vietnam, who have recieved good reviews for this service on Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet forums), with US$50 payable at HCM airport - total US$68 pp (this is for a 3 month multi entry visa). Sydney Consulate quoted A$140 pp for the same visa...as there are 4 of us travelling the difference is quite substantial...hence why I am keen to go this way...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

A 30 day Tourist Visa.

If you print off the visa application form from their website it is $72 Aust per adult and cheaper for children for 30 day visas.

 

[2muchplastic]

The only point I would make scmk, is that the 5 or so times that I travelled into SGN (with a prearranged business visa, I would hasten to add) there was a pretty big queue for the "visa on arrival" desk.
Some of the bods in the queue looked like they were in for the long haul too.

If there is a way of getting them in advance, then I would do so to save queuing for a visa, then queuing through immigration, then through customs, then for a taxi......after 12 hours of travelling.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If there is a way of getting them in advance, then I would do so to save queuing for a visa, then queuing through immigration, then through customs, then for a taxi......after 12 hours of travelling.

I was told the same by a few people which is why I opted to pay the $72 Aust pp.

Personally I found this convenient as you just post off the forms with your passport. I got mine back in a week.

 

[drron]

We also got the $A72 30 day visa as it was cheaper,we didnt need reentry and of course saved the hassle on arrival.

 

[Voyages]

The only point I would make scmk, is that the 5 or so times that I travelled into SGN (with a prearranged business visa, I would hasten to add) there was a pretty big queue for the "visa on arrival" desk.
Some of the bods in the queue looked like they were in for the long haul too.

If there is a way of getting them in advance, then I would do so to save queuing for a visa, then queuing through immigration, then through customs, then for a taxi......after 12 hours of travelling.

I second 2muchplastic on this. Everytime I go to Vietnam, the visa-on-arrival queue is really big. Though the immigration section has much improved in recent years, you don't want to queue up (with the kids) waiting for them to process your visa applications.

 

[djm1965]

FYI - I am travelling to Vietnam in November and have applied for the Visa through the Vietnam Consulate in Australia. $75 for a Visa + registered postage etc. Just for your info if you plan not to use the "Visa on Arrival" method.