Planning a trip across several countries? Southeast Asia visa assistance can save you time, because every country has its own entry rules, arrival forms and deadlines. Some countries offer visa-free stays, some ask for an e-visa, and some have changed their rules this year. This guide gives you a clear overview of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia, plus tips for linking them in one trip. If Bali is on your list, our Indonesia visa service can help you get started.
What is Southeast Asia visa assistance?
Southeast Asia visa assistance is help with the paperwork you need to enter a country in the region. It can mean checking which visa fits your passport, preparing documents, and reviewing your application before you submit it.
It is not a government service. Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not a government body. We cannot guarantee approval, because each country’s immigration authority makes the decision.
Rules depend on your passport, so always check your own nationality before you book.
Southeast Asia entry rules at a glance
This table shows the general picture for 2026. Your nationality decides which row applies to you.
| Country | Typical entry route | Arrival form | Worth knowing |
| Indonesia | Visa on arrival or e-VOA for eligible nationalities, or a C1 for longer stays | All Indonesia arrival card | B1 gives 30 days plus one 30-day extension. Bali also charges a tourist levy |
| Thailand | Visa exemption for eligible nationalities, otherwise a visa in advance | Thailand Digital Arrival Card | The visa exemption is now 30 days, for tourism only |
| Vietnam | Visa exemption for some nationalities, or an e-visa | None stated here, check before travel | The e-visa lasts up to 90 days |
| Philippines | Visa-free entry for many nationalities | eTravel | Many nationalities get 30 days, with an onward ticket and passport validity rules |
| Cambodia | Tourist e-visa or visa on arrival, with visa-free entry for some ASEAN nationals | e-Arrival Card for air arrivals | Tourist visas are for 30 days, single entry |
Country snapshots
Indonesia
Most eligible tourists use the B1 visa on arrival or e-VOA. It gives 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, so 60 days is the maximum. The government fee is currently IDR 500,000, although a rise has been announced. For longer stays, the C1 starts at 60 days and can reach 180 days with two extensions.
Before you fly, complete the free All Indonesia arrival card online within three days of arrival. If you visit Bali, also pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy. Our guide to choosing an Indonesia visa covers the options in detail.
Thailand
Since 15 September 2026, travellers from 60 countries and territories get a 30-day visa exemption for tourism. The old 60-day exemption has ended. You can usually extend a 30-day stay once at a Thai immigration office, for up to 30 more days.
Everyone entering Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online, no more than three days before arrival. Nationalities that are not exempt need a visa in advance. See our Thailand visa assistance page for more.
Vietnam
Some nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for a set period, which ranges from 14 to 90 days depending on the passport. Everyone else can apply for an e-visa. It is valid for up to 90 days, with a government fee of USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry.
If you plan to leave Vietnam and return during the same trip, for example on a side trip to Cambodia, a multiple-entry e-visa may suit you better. Our Vietnam visa assistance page explains your choices.
Philippines
Many nationalities can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. You will usually need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay and a return or onward ticket. Some passports get shorter or conditional stays, so check yours.
All arriving travellers must register on eTravel, the free official online form, within 72 hours before arrival. Stays can be extended through the Bureau of Immigration. Read more on our Philippines visa page.
Cambodia
Most nationalities can use a tourist e-visa or a visa on arrival. Both are for 30 days, single entry, with a government fee of around USD 30 to 36 depending on the route. Some ASEAN nationals enter visa-free.
Air travellers must also complete the free e-Arrival Card, even when they do not need a visa. Check the amount shown at payment, because fees change. Our Cambodia visa page has the details.
Planning a multi-country trip
A few habits make a big difference when you cross several borders.
- Check your passport first. Many countries want at least six months of validity from your arrival date, and enough blank pages.
- List every country and every entry. A single-entry visa is used up the moment you leave. If you will re-enter a country, you may need a multiple-entry option.
- Add up your days. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival stays are short. Count each country separately.
- Book onward tickets. Immigration often asks to see proof that you will leave.
- Complete each arrival form. Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia all use online forms, and each has its own timing.
- Keep digital and paper copies. Save approvals, QR codes and receipts on your phone and print the key ones.
Common mistakes travellers make
- Assuming one rule fits the whole region. Each country sets its own rules, and they change often.
- Relying on old information. Thailand cut its visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days in September 2026.
- Forgetting arrival forms. The visa and the arrival form are two separate steps.
- Using up a single-entry visa. Leaving the country cancels it.
- Overstaying. Penalties vary by country. In Indonesia the fine is IDR 1,000,000 for every day past your permitted stay.
- Working on a tourist entry. Tourist visas and visa exemptions do not allow work.
- Using look-alike websites. Pay only through official channels or a provider you trust.
Apply yourself or use help?
Applying yourself can work well when you are visiting one country, your passport is eligible for visa-free entry, and you are comfortable with online forms. Our guide to the Indonesia visa application steps shows how the process works.
Help can be worth it when you are visiting several countries, need a visa in advance, are travelling as a family, or want an expert to check everything before you submit. A private provider charges a service fee on top of the government fee, so weigh the cost against your time and peace of mind.
How Hey Rick Visa helps
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service based in Legian, Bali, and part of PT Rick’s Group Indonesia. Our website has dedicated pages for Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia. Our process has three steps:
- Find your visa with the visa checker.
- Apply and pay in under 10 minutes.
- We handle the rest. Technology and human experts check everything before submission.
You can apply 24/7 and save your application to continue later. We offer multiple payment methods, and customs and health declarations are included for Indonesia. Our support team is available by chat, WhatsApp and email, around the clock, in multiple languages. We do not guarantee approval, and we are not affiliated with any government.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate visa for each country in Southeast Asia?
Yes, in most cases. Each country sets its own entry rules, and a visa or exemption for one country does not cover another. Check the rules for every country on your route.
Which Southeast Asian countries are visa-free?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can enter countries such as Thailand and the Philippines without a visa for a short stay, but the length and conditions differ. Indonesia and Vietnam have their own lists. Always check your own nationality.
Do I need an arrival card for these countries?
Often, yes. Indonesia has the All Indonesia arrival card, Thailand has the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, the Philippines has eTravel, and Cambodia has an e-Arrival Card for air travellers. They are separate from your visa.
Can I work on a tourist visa or visa exemption?
No. Tourist entry does not allow work in these countries. If you plan to work or live abroad, look into the right visa category first. For tax questions, speak to a qualified adviser.
Will my visa be approved?
Approval is decided by each country’s authorities, not by Hey Rick Visa or any other private provider. A careful application with correct documents helps, but no one can guarantee the outcome.
How early should I apply?
Apply as early as the country allows, and well before your flight. Some arrival forms can only be filed within a few days of arrival, so check the timing for each one.
Ready to plan your Southeast Asia trip?
Good Southeast Asia visa assistance starts with your passport, your route and the arrival forms for each country. Check the rules for every stop, count your days and apply early.
When you are ready, apply for an Indonesia visa with our team, or contact Hey Rick Visa if you would like personal help first.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Indonesia. We provide assistance with visa applications and charge a service fee.