Southeast Asia is easy to love and surprisingly easy to get wrong on paperwork. One passport can mean a visa-free stay in one country, an online e-visa in the next and a separate arrival card in a third. If you are planning a multi-country trip, Southeast Asia visa assistance helps you sort out which rule applies where, in the right order and with enough time. Start with our visa checker to see what applies to your passport, then use this guide to plan the rest.
This article covers Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia: the countries where Hey Rick Visa can help. Rules differ by nationality and change often, so treat this as a planning guide and confirm the details for your own passport before you book.
What does Southeast Asia visa assistance include?
A good multi-country visa service does more than fill in forms. You should expect:
- Advice on which entry route fits your passport, dates and itinerary
- A review of your application and documents before you submit
- Help with arrival cards and declarations that many countries now require
- Support by chat, WhatsApp or email if something changes
- Guidance on extensions and what to do if your plans shift
Visa assistance companies are private businesses, not government agencies. They charge a service fee and cannot guarantee approval, because the immigration authorities decide. Be careful with any site that promises guaranteed approval or charges for a form that is free on the official portal.
Southeast Asia entry rules at a glance
This table gives the typical situation for many Western passport holders. Your own nationality may be different, so check before you travel.
| Country | Typical entry route | Typical stay | Arrival card or declaration |
| Indonesia | Visa on Arrival or e-VOA (ASEAN passports enter visa-free) | 30 days, extendable once (60 days at most) | Online customs and health declaration |
| Vietnam | E-visa for most nationalities, with some visa-free exceptions | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry | Check current airport arrival rules |
| Thailand | Visa exemption for many nationalities, or an e-visa for longer stays | Often 30 days for visa-exempt visitors under the latest rules | Thailand Digital Arrival Card (free) |
| Philippines | Visa-free entry for citizens of many countries | Usually 30 days, extendable | eTravel registration |
| Cambodia | Tourist e-visa or visa on arrival | 30 days, extendable once by 30 days | Cambodia e-Arrival Card for air arrivals |
Indonesia
Most visitors use the 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA) or apply online for the e-VOA before they fly. The B1 visa on arrival can be extended once by 30 days, so the maximum stay is 60 days. For longer holidays, the C1 tourist visa gives 60 days and can be extended twice, for up to 180 days. Remote workers employed outside Indonesia can look at the E33G remote worker visa, which is valid for up to one year. Passport holders from ASEAN countries can enter visa-free for 30 days, and that stay cannot be extended. You also need to complete the Indonesia customs and health declaration online before you arrive.
Want the full picture? See our Indonesia visa assistance page, or read the Indonesia visa assistance guide.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s e-visa is open to citizens of all countries and territories. It is valid for up to 90 days, with single-entry and multiple-entry options, and applications are made online through the official portal. The government fee is commonly reported as USD 25 for a single entry and USD 50 for multiple entries, with standard processing of around three to five working days. A few nationalities can enter visa-free for shorter stays, so check yours first.
If your route includes side trips to Cambodia or Laos and you plan to return to Vietnam, a multiple-entry e-visa is usually the safer choice. Find out more on our Vietnam visa page.
Thailand
Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for tourism, but the length of the exempt stay has changed recently. Under the latest scheme announced by the Royal Thai Embassy, the visa-exempt period for many nationalities is 30 days from 15 September 2026, down from the 60 days that applied before. Longer stays may need an e-visa or another visa category, so confirm the rule for your passport before you book.
Every foreign visitor must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online, usually within three days before arrival. It replaced the old paper arrival card. Any site that charges for it is not the official one. See our Thailand visa page for support.
The Philippines
Citizens of many countries can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, while a few nationalities get shorter or longer periods. You will usually need a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward or return travel, and your eTravel registration, which is completed online shortly before you fly. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension through the Bureau of Immigration once you are in the country. Our Philippines visa page explains how we can help.
Cambodia
Most visitors need a tourist visa for Cambodia, available as an e-visa online or as a visa on arrival at major entry points. A tourist visa allows 30 days and can be extended once by a further 30 days at a Cambodian immigration office. Government fees are generally in the region of USD 30 to 36 depending on the channel, so check the final amount at checkout. All air travellers must also complete the free Cambodia e-Arrival Card, ideally within seven days before arrival, whether or not they hold a visa. Learn more on our Cambodia visa page.
Planning a multi-country trip
The visa rules for each country are manageable. The trouble starts when you combine them. Keep these points in mind:
- Passport validity. Many countries expect at least six months of validity from your arrival date, and some want blank pages. Check the weakest requirement and renew early if needed.
- Onward tickets. Airlines may refuse boarding without proof that you will leave each country. Book your exit flights or overland routes first.
- Arrival cards. Several countries now require free online cards before you land. Complete each one on the official site, and never pay a third party for a free form.
- Single or multiple entry. If you plan to leave a country and return, choose a multiple-entry option where available.
- Overland borders. Rules can differ between airports and land crossings, and crossings sometimes close at short notice. Check your exact route before you rely on it.
- Stay lengths add up. Visa-exempt stays reset country by country, but long itineraries may attract questions at immigration, so keep tickets and accommodation details handy.
- Timing. Apply early for e-visas, and avoid non-refundable bookings until your documents are approved.
Should you apply yourself or use a visa agent?
Applying yourself is perfectly possible, and many travellers do it for simple trips. Each country has an official portal, and fees are published. Visa assistance tends to be worth it when:
- You are visiting several countries and want one place to check everything
- You need a longer-stay visa, an extension or a remote worker option
- You are short on time and want a second pair of eyes on your documents
- You want support if something goes wrong or plans change
- You are unsure which website is the official one
Watch for warning signs when choosing a provider: no company details, no physical address, guaranteed-approval claims, hidden fees or pressure to pay through unusual channels. Hey Rick Visa is part of PT Rick’s Group Indonesia, with an office in Legian, Bali, and a clear disclaimer that we are not affiliated with any government.
How Hey Rick Visa helps
- Find your visa. Use our visa checker to see what you need.
- Apply and pay in under 10 minutes. Enter your travel details, pay securely and upload your documents.
- We handle the rest. Our technology and human experts check everything to help ensure a smooth process.
You can apply any time, save your progress and come back later, and pay by several methods. Our team is available by chat, WhatsApp and email around the clock, in multiple languages. Learn more about Hey Rick Visa.
Common Southeast Asia visa mistakes
- Assuming one rule applies everywhere. Each country has its own entry route, stay length and cards.
- Short passport validity. Check the expiry date before you book anything.
- Using the wrong website. Look-alike sites charge extra fees for free forms or official e-visas.
- Forgetting arrival cards. Several countries now require them before you land.
- Booking non-refundable travel too early. Wait for approvals on e-visas.
- Overstaying. Fines and entry bans vary by country, and some are strict.
- Working on a tourist entry. Tourist visas and exemptions do not allow work.
- Relying on old information. Rules and fees change, and outdated pages still rank in search results.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one visa for all of Southeast Asia?
No. Each country sets its own visa rules. A multi-country trip means checking the entry route, stay length and arrival card for every country you visit.
Which Southeast Asian countries can I enter without a visa?
This depends on your passport. Many travellers can enter Thailand and the Philippines without a visa for a limited period, while Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia usually require a visa or e-visa for most Western passports. Check each country for your nationality.
How far in advance should I apply?
Apply for e-visas as early as practical, and at least a week or more before travel. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until your documents are approved.
Do I need an arrival card as well as a visa?
Often yes. Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia all have online arrival or declaration requirements. Complete them on the official sites, where they are free.
Can a visa agent guarantee approval?
No. Approval is decided by each country’s immigration authorities. An agent can reduce errors by reviewing your application, but cannot promise a result.
Which countries does Hey Rick Visa cover?
We help with Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia. Use our visa checker or contact our team to confirm what applies to your trip.
Ready to plan your trip?
Whether you are visiting one country or five, getting the paperwork right makes the trip easier. Use our visa checker to see what applies to your passport, or contact our team for personal guidance from our Bali-based experts.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Indonesia or any other government. We provide assistance with visa applications and charge a service fee.