Vietnam offers visa exemptions to travellers from 24 countries, and e-Visas to travellers from 80 countries. Travellers can also easily apply for a visa on arrival online or in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Below is all the information you need on visas for Vietnam.
Vietnam Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Vietnam’s e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries. The e-Visa takes three working days to process, costs 25 USD, and is a single-entry visa, valid for 30 days. You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country’s eight international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, as well as 14 land crossings and seven seaports. This is the list of applicable airports:
- Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
- Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
- Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)
- Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang)
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Phu Quoc International Airport (Phu Quoc)
How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa:
Step 1: Prepare the required materials:
- One 4×6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses
- One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit
- Debit or credit card for payment
Step 2: Click here or access www.immigration.gov.vn and go to ‘E-visa Issuance’ then click on the link for ‘Outside Vietnam foreigners’;
Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form;
Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided;
Step 5: Within three working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, you can also run a search for your e-Visa at this link;
Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival
If you are planning a multiple-entry visit or a stay of more than 30 days, you will want to apply for a visa on arrival. To do this you’ll need:
- A 4×6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses;
- A filled-out visa application form;
- A passport or substitute ID valid for six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam;
- Payment (25 USD to 50 USD) for visa fees;
- A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you are picking up your visa at the airport).
If you are near a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you can submit your photo, application form, passport, and visa fee in person. This website will guide you through the process. If you are unable to reach a Vietnamese embassy, or are short on time, there are trusted services online who can provide you a valid Letter of Approval for a fee. Bring this letter and together with a visa application form and your other documents to the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport when you land.
Other notes to know
- Visa on arrival is applicable for air travel only. If you enter Vietnam by land or cruise, you are required to obtain a full visa before you arrive.
- Unlike other countries where you can get the visa the directly at border gates upon landing, for Vietnam visa on arrival you are required to apply for a pre-approved visa letter through a Vietnamese agency in order to pick up the visa stamp on arrival.
- The 15 day free visa exemption has been extended to June 2020 for the passport holders from United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Travellers from these countries can travel to Vietnam without a visa for 15 days, longer term visas can be obtained through visa on arrival or at the local embassy.
- Effective from November 2014, visitors who fly directly to Phu Quoc airport and just stay in the island for no longer than 30 days will not require an entry visa.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay in Vietnam.
- If you travel with children having their own passports, you are also required to pay the same fees as adults.
- The stamping fee at Vietnam airport is payable in cash only, no credit cards are accepted.
- There is NO OFFICIAL website for visa on arrival service. All websites offering the pre-approved visa letter are private agencies. Do not get confused by websites with organizational internet domain TLDs (org, gov..ect).
Update on visa policy due to COVID-19
From March 22 until further notice, Vietnam has suspended entry for all foreign nationals. Only Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers are allowed to enter the country at this time. All persons entering Vietnam must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Vietnam will consider penalty waivers for foreigners overstayed their temporary residence in the country for less than 10 days due to objective reasons. Those who have entered Vietnam for business, visiting relatives, or purposes other than travel should contact their embassies, consulates or sponsors regarding visa concerns.
Foreigners in the country whose visa exemptions or tourist visas have expired and cannot exit due to quarantine, lack of flights, closed borders and similar objective reasons, may ask their embassies or consulates to apply on their behalf for a extension of temporary residence for a maximum of 30 days while awaiting departure. See here for a list of documents required to apply.
See more information related to COVID-19 travel policies here.
Contact us at info@newwaytravel.com.vn for Vietnam travel visa advices and application.
