Applying Vietnam visa online (Vietnam e-visa) for citizens of Comoros

Vietnam is one of the most popular countries to travel in. The tourism industry has grown immensely over the past years and each year, the country welcomes millions of foreigners who comes here to enjoy the tropical climate and the pristine beaches. But there’s more to Vietnam than just hitting the beach. You also have big, metropolitan cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you have the smaller, charming cities like Hoi An and Hue, and then there’s the incredible landscape surrounding the country of Vietnam. Halong Bay for example, is one of the country’s most stunning places and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Cruise around the thousands of limestone islands and explore underground caves in Halong Bay. If you’re there during the warmer season, you can also go enjoy the beach, kayak and go swimming.

If you’re craving for something even more adventurous, why not try out kitesurfing in Mui Ne, a small beach town famous for kitesurfing. There’s also plenty of opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, trekking, surfing and diving. Although diving hasn’t really taken off yet in Vietnam, there’s still plenty of dive sites that are accessible all year round.

When you have decided to travel to Vietnam from Comoros, you’ll need to apply for a Vietnam visa. As a citizen of Comoros, you have two options. Either you get a Visa on Arrival or you go to your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Comoros? (No, citizens of Comoros are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa)

From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NĐ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for an e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Comoros national in this list, therefore, citizens of Comoros should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam

1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Applying online for pre-approval letter then pick up your visa on arrival 

This is the most preferred option for many travellers. If you live far away from the Vietnamese Embassy for example, or you do not want to send important documents such as your passport, this is a good option for you. It’s also easy, quick and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you need your computer and internet. If you get a Visa on Arrival, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports: Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong. You can only travel by air if you get a VOA, meaning you can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, and so forth.

The process is very simple.  What you need to do is fill in the Online Application form with all relevant information. What you need to state in the application form is:

• Your full name, as stated in your passport
• Date of Birth – The format they use in Vietnam is DD/MM/YY
• Your nationality – as stated in your passport
• Your passport number
• Date of Arrival – you can state a date of arrival and then arrive later, but not earlier

After you have filled this information out, you have to wait for a confirmation email which usually arrives within 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes, don’t forget to print it out so the immigration officers in Vietnam can stamp your passport. If you need an emergency visa, you can get one within 40 minutes to 4 hours. This will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it much faster.

You also have the option to buy “On Arrival Support” which is a very good option for those who wants to check in to Vietnam faster:

• Standard Support : +US$20/pp

Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, then take care of all procedures necessary to get the visa stamped on your passport. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.

• VIP Support : +US$35/pp

Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, receive your passport and give it back with the visa within 5-10 minutes, then escort you to check out via the VIP gate. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.

2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Comoros

The reason why applying for a visa with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Comoros might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t live close to the embassy. It means you will have to spend time on transportation and money. You also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you happen to forget anything, you need to start the process all over again. It’s time consuming and you usually need to pick up your passport in the embassy or consulate. Also, be kindly advised that the fees and procedures are subject to change depending on where you apply.