The visa situation in Southeast Asia can be a major headache. And getting it wrong can really wreck a trip.
I remember when I first traveled to Vietnam. I had read online that a tourist could get a visa upon arrival. So I stopped my research there, booked my ticket from the Philippines, and planned to get a visa upon arrival.
What I didn't account for was that you needed a letter in advance from the Vietnamese government in order to get a visa on arrival. The Vietnamese customs were poised to send me back to where my connecting flight had been in Singapore. I gave the customs agent my sad puppy face while giving them my smile that said, "Sorry, I am a stupid foreigner and everything confuses me."
So after a $300 “fee,” I was granted a two-week emergency cuida instead of the 60-day tourist visa all the other tourists who’d done their due diligence got.
Even professional travelers make big time travel mistakes! But I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. Use this Southeast Asia visa tips as a jumping off point, but be sure to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting to make sure you have the most up-to-date info.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Southeast Asia?
Many countries require only a valid passport for citizens of the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Visit the embassy of your destination to confirm what, if any, documents you need to enter the country. This includes passports, visas, proof of travel insurance, and more.
Note that Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia require all visitors to have entry visas. Although most international airports offer visas upon arrival, if you plan to enter Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia from rural overland points, you often need to obtain a visa beforehand, and you may even need to specify which entry point. And be aware that in Vietnam you need to fill out a form online to get your visa.
Visa for Bali (Indonesia)
Visitors from the U.S., Canada, most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are given a visa upon arrival for a fee of $10 (£6.65) for stays of seven days or less and $25 (£17) for stays of up to 30 days.
The only official gateways to Bali are Ngurah Rai Airport or the seaports of Padang Bai and Benoa.
If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you must get a tourist or business visa before coming to Indonesia. Tourist visas cannot be extended, while business visas can be extended for six months at Indonesian immigration offices.
Visa for Indonesia
As of March 2016, the Indonesian government allows citizens of 169 countries to enter visa-free. U.S. and UK passport holders in particular may get one of these, but the fee depends on how long you plan to stay (30-day maximum).
To apply for an Indonesian visa, proceed to the Embassy of Indonesia consular services to get started.
The embassy will not accept cash for visa fees; you must have company checks, cashier checks, or money orders.
Visa for Cambodia
All visitors are required to carry a passport and visa. A one-month visa can be obtained upon entry at the Phnom Penh or Siem Reap international airports for $20.
Applying online for a one-month e-visa costs $36 to $42, depending on the type of visa. The procedure is simple, straightforward, and will save you time and energy.
Bring one 4x6-inch passport photo for your application to avoid a fine. Visas on arrival are available at several land crossings, including Poi Pet (Thailand), the boat-crossing point from Chau Doc (Vietnam), and Dong Kralor (Laos) for $22.
Visas for Laos
Visitors need a valid passport and visa to visit Laos. There are a number of entry sites where visas are granted upon arrival:
- By air to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
- When crossing from Thailand over the Friendship Bridge between Vientiane and Nong Khai
- Between Chiang Khong and Houay Xai in the far north
- Between Mukdahan and Savannakhet or Chong Mek and Vung Tao (near Pakse) in the far south
A 30-day visa at these arrival points costs $30. You will also need a passport-size photo.
When coming from Vietnam, be sure to have a prearranged visa. At an embassy outside of Laos, the going rate for a 30-day visa is $35; you'll have to wait up to five days for processing (less in Bangkok). For a fee, travel agents in Thailand and other countries in the region can help you jump over the bureaucratic hurdles and get a visa in one day.
Visa for Malaysia
To enter Malaysia, you must have a valid passport. Citizens of the U.S. do not need visas for tourism and business visits. Citizens of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. do not require a visa for tourism or business visits not exceeding one month.
Visa for Singapore
To enter Singapore, you'll need a valid passport. Visas are not necessary for citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Upon entry, visitors from most of these countries will be issued a 30-day pass for a social visit only. Americans can get a 90-day pass.
Visa for Thailand
All visitors to Thailand must carry a passport valid for at least six months. You also need proof of onward passage, either a return or through ticket.
Visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days for citizens of the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the U.K., but three-month tourist visas can be arranged before arrival.
Read more >> See how travel insurance saved Merah's honeymoon in Thailand.
Visa for Vietnam
Residents of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. need both a passport and a valid visa to enter Vietnam. A tourist visa usually lasts 30 days and costs $65.
You need to specify your date of entry and exit. Although there's no official policy, tourist visas can commonly be extended with little hassle.
Multiple-entry business visas are available that are valid for up to three months; however, you must have a sponsoring agency in Vietnam, and it can take much longer to process.
Visa for Myanmar
In Myanmar you need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining, and a valid visa for Myanmar. The “visa on arrival” scheme has been discontinued for tourists; only business visa applicants can get one.
Fortunately for U.S. travelers, Myanmar offers an eVisa. Visit their official site to apply. The eVisa costs $50 (payable via credit card); you'll also need to upload a recent color ID image along with your passport and ticket details.
Without an e-Visa, U.S. passport holders must obtain pre-approval for a visa from the nearest Myanmar embassy or mission.
Watch >> See how travel insurance arranged and paid for Felipe's emergency medical evacuation from Myanmar.
Visas for the Philippines
U.S. passport holders may enter without a visa for stays not exceeding 21 days. Visa extensions can be obtained from Philippine Embassies, Philippine Consulates, or from the Bureau of Immigration within the Philippines.
General Visa Tips
- Plan your trip around the length of stay mandated by your visa.
- If you plan to stay longer, apply for a longer visa from the embassy in your home country or from an embassy in a neighboring country. Alternatively, investigate the ease of extending a visa within the country.
- Stock up on passport photos. You’ll probably need at least two pictures each time you apply for a visa.
- Have the correct amount of local currency (or U.S. dollars) to pay the on-arrival visa fee. Cash should be new and in good condition (no rips or markings, minimally wrinkled).
- Dress smartly when you’re visiting embassies, consulates and borders. You may be judged on your appearance.
- If entering by land or sea, check if the border post offers visas on arrival. Some do not.
- Be aware that travelers are often targeted by transport and foreign exchange scams at land border crossings.
Passport Smarts
To enter most countries, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry, even if you’re only staying for a few days. It’s probably best to have at least a year left on your passport if heading off on a big trip around Southeast Asia.
Border guards may refuse entry if your passport doesn’t have enough blank pages available. If you are reaching the end of your passport pages, get more pages added before you travel (if this is a service offered by your home country), or apply for a new passport. If you're already on the road, you can apply for a new passport in most Southeast Asian capitals at your home embassy or consulate.
Travel Insurance for Southeast Asia
Some countries may require proof of travel insurance for entry. This is intended to show that, if you get sick or injured during your visit, you'll be able to pay for medical treatment or emergency medical evacuations.
Even without it being a state requirement, it's always a good idea to have travel insurance when traveling internationally. Because your domestic health insurance typically does not cover care in another country, travel insurance helps to make sure you aren't stuck paying medical bills out of pocket.
Learn more about travel medical insurance or get a quick quote online before you travel. Licensed agents are also available to help you find the best coverage for your Southeast Asia adventure.
