Visa on Arrival

On-arrival Visa (also known as Visa On Arrival, VOA), granted at a port of entry. This is distinct from not requiring a visa at all, as the visitor must still obtain the visa before they can even try to pass through immigration.

Almost all countries will consider issuing a visa (or another document to the same effect) on arrival to a visitor arriving in unforeseen exceptional circumstances, for example: Under provisions of article 35 of the Schengen Visa Code, a visa may be issued at a border in situations such as the diversion of a flight causing air passengers in transit to pass through two or more airports instead of one.

In 2010, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, causing significant disruption of air travel throughout Europe, and the EU responded by announcing that it would issue visas at land borders to stranded travelers.

Under section 212(d)(4) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, visa waivers can be issued to travelers arriving at American ports of entry in emergency situations or under other conditions.

Certain international airports in Russia have consuls on-duty, who have the power to issue visas on the spot.

Some countries issue visas on arrival to special categories of travelers, such as seafarers or air crew.

Some countries issue them to regular visitors; however, there often are restrictions, for example: Belarus issues visas on arrival in Minsk International Airport only to nationals of countries where there is no consular representation of Belarus.

Thailand only issues visas on arrival at certain border checkpoints. The most notable crossing where visas on arrival are not issued is the Padang Besar checkpoint for passenger trains between Malaysia and Thailand.

Russia issues visas on arrival for short visits to its Western exclave, Kaliningrad oblast.

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