Visa on Arrival
What is Visa on Arrival?
A visa on arrival (VOA) is an entry authorisation granted to eligible travellers upon reaching the border or airport of a destination country — rather than applying in advance through an embassy or consulate. The visa is issued at a dedicated immigration counter in the arrivals hall, in exchange for a completed application form, passport photos, and a fee paid in local currency or USD.
VOA programmes exist to facilitate tourism while maintaining some entry control. Popular destinations offering VOA to many nationalities include Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Egypt, Jordan, the Maldives, and Cambodia. Eligibility varies significantly by passport — what is visa-free for a British passport holder may be VOA for one nationality and a full embassy-application for another. Always verify your specific passport's status before travel.
Example of Visa on Arrival
Arriving in Bali on an Australian passport, Sofia walked past the long VOA queue — Australians receive a 30-day visa free of charge on arrival. Her travelling companion, a South African passport holder, waited 40 minutes in the VOA queue, paid $35 USD, and received the same 30-day stamp. Both entered legally; the difference was time, paperwork, and a processing fee determined entirely by passport nationality.