Visa on arrival destinations: how the counter process works
Which regions still offer visa on arrival, typical fees and stay lengths, cash and photo requirements, queue realities and how to avoid refusal at the counter.
Visa on arrival is issued at the border after you land, typically for 15 to 30 days and $20–$50 paid in cash. It remains common across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and parts of the Caucasus, but many countries are migrating to eVisas, which remove the risk of refusal after flying.
What to have ready at the counter
Passport with six months validity and a blank page, a completed arrival card, a printed onward ticket, an accommodation address, the exact fee in clean notes, and often one or two passport photos. Improvising any of these at 3am is how people miss connections.
Where it still exists
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Nepal, Maldives, Jordan, Egypt, Oman for some nationalities, Kenya's regional arrangements, Georgia and Armenia for certain passports, plus several island states. Lists change with little notice, so confirm within a week of travel.
The refusal risk
Visa on arrival is a permission, not a right. Officers can refuse for a missing onward ticket, insufficient funds, an unclear purpose or a passport issue — and the airline that carried you must fly you back at your expense in many jurisdictions.
When an eVisa exists too
Many countries now run both. Pay slightly more online and you arrive with certainty, skip the payment queue and often use an automated gate. The only reason to choose the counter is genuine spontaneity.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries offer visa on arrival?
Much of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and East Africa, including Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Maldives, Jordan and Egypt, subject to nationality.
How much is a visa on arrival?
Usually $20–$50, paid in cash at the border, sometimes in USD only.
Can I be denied a visa on arrival?
Yes. It is granted at the officer's discretion, and refusal means returning at your own cost.