A visa on arrival (VOA) is an entry permit issued directly at a country's border checkpoint—such as an airport, seaport, or land crossing—without requiring travelers to apply in advance at an embassy or consulate. This system streamlines entry for short-term visits, primarily for tourism or business, by eliminating the need for pre-approval while still enforcing immigration controls. Travelers must present valid documents (typically a passport with 6+ months validity, proof of onward travel, and sometimes photographs), pay a fee (ranging from $20 to $150 depending on the country), and undergo on-site processing that can take minutes to hours ^[1][4][6]. The visa’s validity usually spans 14 to 90 days, with extensions possible in some nations, though it cannot be used for long-term residence or employment ^[1][10].

• Key features of visa on arrival:
• Issued at entry points (airports, land borders) without prior application ^[1][4].
• Valid for short-term stays (typically 15–90 days) for tourism or business ^[1][10].
• Requires payment of a fee (e.g., $30 for 15 days in Nepal, $50 for 30 days in Egypt) and documentation like a passport and return ticket ^[6][10].
• Processing time varies from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the country and traveler volume ^[4].

• Countries offering visa on arrival (selected examples):
• Asia: Nepal (15–90 days), Thailand (15–30 days), Bangladesh (30 days), Armenia (120 days) ^[1][6][10].
• Africa: Egypt (30 days), Kenya (90 days), Tanzania (90 days) ^[1][6].
• Middle East: Jordan (free for some nationalities), Oman (30 days) ^[6].
• Americas: Bolivia (90 days), Nicaragua (90 days) ^[6].

• Important considerations:
• Not all nationalities qualify; eligibility depends on bilateral agreements (e.g., U.S. citizens can access VOA in 77 countries, while others may need pre-approval) ^[8].
• Some countries (e.g., Nepal) require online pre-registration to expedite processing ^[10].
• Overstaying or violating terms (e.g., working on a tourist VOA) can result in fines or entry bans ^[1].

Visa on Arrival: Eligibility, Process, and Country-Specific Rules

How Visa on Arrival Works: Requirements and Application Process

Visa on arrival simplifies entry for eligible travelers by shifting the application process to the border, but it still demands strict compliance with documentation and fees. Upon landing or crossing a border, travelers must present a valid passport (often with 6+ months remaining validity), a completed application form (sometimes available online in advance), proof of sufficient funds, and a return or onward ticket ^[1][4]. Some countries, like Nepal, allow pre-filling forms online to reduce wait times, while others, such as Egypt, require payment in specific currencies (e.g., USD or EUR) ^[10][6].

The process typically follows these steps:

• Document submission: Passport, photographs (if required), and application form are reviewed by immigration officers ^[4].
• Fee payment: Costs vary widely—$25 in Cambodia, $50 in Egypt, or $125 for a 90-day visa in Nepal ^[6][10].
• Processing: Can take 10 minutes in low-traffic scenarios or up to 2 hours during peak times ^[4].
• Approval: A stamp or sticker is placed in the passport, granting entry for the specified duration ^[1].

Critically, travelers must confirm their nationality’s eligibility, as some countries restrict VOA to specific passports. For example:

• U.S. citizens can obtain VOA in 77 countries, including Thailand and Turkey, but may need an eVisa or embassy visa for others ^[8].
• Indian passport holders have VOA access to fewer destinations, such as Mauritius and Seychelles ^[1].
• Certain nationalities (e.g., Afghan passport holders) are often excluded from VOA programs due to security concerns ^[10].

Countries Offering Visa on Arrival: Regional Breakdown and Exceptions

Over 60 countries globally offer visa on arrival, though the list fluctuates based on diplomatic relations and security policies. Below is a categorized selection of notable destinations, their VOA terms, and exceptions:

Asia and the Middle East

This region hosts some of the most traveler-friendly VOA policies, often targeting tourism revenue. Key examples include:

• Nepal: VOA available at Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders; fees are $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), or $125 (90 days). Gratis visas for SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan) and children under 10 ^[10].
• Thailand: 30-day VOA for tourists from 20 eligible countries (including China and India), extendable for 30 days. Fee: 2,000 THB (~$60) ^[6].
• Turkey: eVisa or VOA for U.S., UK, and Schengen passport holders; 90-day stay for $50–$80, depending on nationality ^[8].
• Jordan: Free VOA for travelers staying at least 3 nights (excluding certain nationalities like Palestine and Syria) ^[6].
• Oman: 30-day VOA for $20, extendable once; requires proof of hotel booking ^[1].

Exceptions:

• Israel: Does not offer VOA; all visitors must apply in advance unless eligible for visa-free entry ^[1].
• Saudi Arabia: Recently introduced eVisas and VOA for tourists, but restrictions apply to certain Muslim-majority nationalities ^[6].

Africa

African nations frequently use VOA to boost tourism, with varying fees and validity:

• Egypt: 30-day VOA for $25, available at major airports. Some nationalities (e.g., EU citizens) can obtain it free for Sinai resorts ^[6].
• Kenya: 90-day VOA for $50, with eVisa also available. East African Community members receive preferential terms ^[1].
• Tanzania: $50–$100 VOA fee depending on nationality; U.S. citizens pay $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry visa ^[6].
• Rwanda: 30-day VOA for $30, with extensions possible. East African Tourist Visa allows travel to Uganda and Kenya ^[1].

Exceptions:

• Nigeria: VOA suspended for most nationalities; eVisa or embassy visa required ^[1].
• South Africa: No VOA; strict pre-application required for most visitors ^[8].

Americas and the Caribbean

Fewer countries in this region offer VOA, but notable examples include:

• Bolivia: 90-day VOA for $160 (U.S. citizens pay reciprocity fees) ^[6].
• Nicaragua: 90-day VOA for $10, with a $2 tourist card fee ^[1].
• Dominican Republic: $10 tourist card (effectively a VOA) for stays up to 30 days ^[6].

Key restrictions:

• Cuba: VOA only for specific nationalities (e.g., Canadian tourists); U.S. travelers face additional restrictions ^[8].
• Venezuela: VOA suspended due to political instability; embassy visa required ^[1].

Oceania

• Fiji: 120-day VOA for tourists from eligible countries (e.g., U.S., UK, Australia) ^[6].
• Palau: 30-day free VOA for most nationalities, extendable to 90 days ^[1].

Practical Tips for Travelers

While VOA simplifies entry, travelers should take precautions to avoid delays or denials:

• Check eligibility: Use tools like the U.S. State Department’s country-specific pages or VisaHQ’s requirements checker to confirm VOA availability for your nationality ^[2][8].
• Prepare documents: Carry passport photos, proof of funds (e.g., credit cards, cash), and a return ticket. Some countries (e.g., Thailand) may ask for hotel reservations ^[4][6].
• Currency for fees: VOA fees are often payable in USD or EUR; smaller bills are preferred (e.g., Nepal does not accept $100 bills) ^[10].
• Arrival timing: Avoid peak hours (e.g., midnight flights) to reduce processing wait times ^[4].
• Extensions: If planning a longer stay, research extension policies in advance (e.g., Thailand allows one 30-day extension for a fee) ^[1].