The good news is that Vietnam has extended the e-Visa eligibility to passport holders of all countries and territories. This significant change is a result of the recent government resolution number 127/NQ-CP, making it easier for international tourists to explore the country’s diverse attractions.
Note: Please read “Who is exempted from a Vietnam visa?” to ensure that you still need to apply for a Vietnam e-visa.
The Vietnam e-Visa comes in four types, each catering to different travel needs:
| # | E-visa Type | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single Entry E-Visa (valid for 30 days) | US$25 | This e-Visa allows a one-time entry into Vietnam for up to 30 days. |
| 2 | Multiple Entry E-Visa (valid for 30 days) | US$50 | Allows multiple entries into Vietnam within a 30-day period. |
| 3 | Single Entry E-Visa (valid for 90 days) | US$25 | This e-Visa permits one entry into Vietnam for up to 90 days. |
| 4 | Multiple Entry E-Visa (valid for 90 days) | US$50 | Allows multiple entries into Vietnam within a 90-day period. |
| # | E-visa Type | Cost | Features |
Under normal circumstances, the processing time for a Vietnam e-Visa is three working days. However, this timeframe may extend during peak seasons or following holidays.
It’s crucial to remember that the Vietnam Immigration Department does not operate on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), the Traditional Day of Vietnam People’s Public Security Force (August 19), and during Vietnam holidays such as:
- New Year’s Day: January 01 (solar calendar)
- Tet Holiday: Varies (lunar calendar)
- Hung Kings Commemoration Day: 10th day of the 3rd lunar month
- Reunification Day: April 30 (solar calendar)
- Labor Day: May 01 (solar calendar)
- National Day: September 02 (solar calendar)
Before you start your Vietnam e-Visa application, ensure you have the following requirements:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Vietnam, with at least two blank pages.
- A digital photo in .jpg format of your full passport data page & A digital passport photo in .jpg format (4×6 cm, white background, without glasses). See Portrait Photo And Passport Copy Requirements
- A valid credit or debit card with sufficient funds to pay the e-Visa fee.
- An email address for support and communication purposes.
- A temporary address within Vietnam, such as your planned hotel or accommodation.
- Your planned entry and exit dates, as well as your intended entry and exit points/airports in Vietnam.
- Your current occupation, your company name with address, and the phone number of your company.
The process to apply for a Vietnam e-Visa is straightforward and can be completed entirely online. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
- Visit the official Vietnam e-Visa Application website.
- Upload the required .jpg images of your passport data page and your portrait photo.
- Fill in your email address and get an OTP (One-Time Password). The OTP will be sent within 1-3 minutes.
- Fill in all the required information. There are 10 sections you need to fill out.
- Pay the e-Visa fee using any of the available payment methods.
- Once your payment for the e-Visa is confirmed, you will receive a registration code. Remember to save this code, as you will need it to check the status of your e-Visa application and download your e-Visa.
💡 TIP: Save your registration code! You will need it to check the status and download your e-Visa later on.
See: Comprehensive Guide to Applying for Vietnam E-Visa on the Official Government Website
Additionally, for those who want to avoid frustration and enjoy a hassle-free process, commercial websites are available that have simplified the application process, providing a user-friendly interface and a simple application form. They guarantee to deliver your e-Visa on time, ensuring a hassle-free experience, albeit at higher costs.
After submitting your e-Visa application, it will typically take three working days for your visa to be processed. You can check your e-visa application status on the official Vietnam e-Visa website by entering your registration code, your email address, and your date of birth.
Once your e-Visa is approved, you can download the .pdf file and print two copies of your e-Visa. It’s recommended to keep both copies with you for safety when traveling.
Upon arrival in Vietnam, you will need to present your passport and the printed copy of your e-Visa at the immigration counter. Your e-Visa is valid for entry at any of the 42 international checkpoints within the country, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings. You must enter Vietnam via the port you specified.
TIPs:
- You must enter Vietnam via the port you specified.
- Keep a copy of your printed e-Visa with you at all times during your stay in Vietnam.
Vietnam has 13 international airports strategically located across the country. Whether you land at the Noi Bai International Airport in the capital city of Hanoi or the bustling Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be greeted by warm hospitality and efficient immigration services. Here are all the airports where e-visa holders can enter and exit:
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
- Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR)
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
- Cat Bi International Airport (HPH)
- Can Tho International Airport (VCA)
- Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)
- Phu Bai International Airport (HUI)
- Van Don International Airport (VDO)
- Tho Xuan International Airport (THD)
- Dong Hoi International Airport (VDH)
- Phu Cat International Airport (UIH)
- Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI)
For those who wish to enter Vietnam by land, there are 16 land border gates providing a comfortable transition. These are the land border gates where e-visa holders can enter and exit:
- Tay Trang land border gates (Dien Bien Province)
- Mong Cai land border gates (Quang Ninh Province)
- Huu Nghi land border gates (Lang Son Province)
- Lao Cai land border gates (Lao Cai Province)
- Na Meo land border gates(Thanh Hoa Province)
- Nam Can land border gates(Nghe An Province)
- Cau Treo land border gates (Ha Tinh Province)
- Cha Lo land border gates (Quang Binh Province)
- La Lay land border gates (Quang Tri Province)
- Lao Bao land border gates (Quang TriProvince)
- Bo Y land border gates (Kon Tum Province)
- Moc Bai land border gates (Tay Ninh Province)
- Xa Mat land border gates (Tay Ninh Province)
- Tinh Bien land border gates (An Giang Province)
- Vinh Xuong land border gates (An Giang Province)
- Ha Tien land border gates (Kien Giang Province)
If you prefer to arrive by sea, Vietnam has 13 sea border gates. These are the seaports where e-visa holders can enter and exit:
- Hon Gai Seaport (Quang Ninh Province)
- Cam Pha Seaport (Quang Ninh Province)
- Hai Phong Seaport (Hai Phong City)
- Nghi Son Seaport (Thanh Hoa Province)
- Vung Ang Seaport (Ha Tinh Province)
- Chan May Seaport (Thua Thien Hue Province)
- Da Nang Seaport (Da Nang City)
- Nha Trang Seaport (Khanh Hoa Province)
- Quy Nhon Seaport (Binh Dinh Province)
- Dung Quat Seaport (Quang Ngai Province)
- Vung Tau Seaport (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province)
- HCMC Seaport (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Duong Dong Seaport (Kien Giang Province)
Conclusion
The Vietnam e-Visa system offers a convenient and efficient way to secure your entry into this beautiful country. Whether you’re planning a short visit or a longer stay, the e-Visa provides a practical solution for your travel needs. By following this comprehensive guide, you can master the e-Visa application process and look forward to exploring the wonders of Vietnam. Safe travels!
Hassle-free Way to Get a Vietnam E-Visa
If you wish for a more streamlined experience, there are commercial websites available that simplify the e-Visa application process. They offer a user-friendly interface and a simple application form. Although these services charge higher fees compared to the government’s official website, they guarantee the timely delivery of your e-Visa, ensuring you a hassle-free experience.
Common Asked Questions
From August 15th, 2023, the Vietnam e-Visa grants permission for a stay up to a limit of 90 days when you avail of the multiple entry 90 days e-Visa. Alternatively, you can choose to remain for up to 30 days with the utilization of the 30-day Vietnam e-Visa.
Typically, it takes about three business days for your Vietnam e-Visa to be processed. However, we advise that you submit your application at least 10 to 14 days prior to your intended arrival in Vietnam. This ensures that you have ample time, should there be any unexpected delays.
In our experience, due to intervening holidays, the entire process from application to approval of our Vietnam e-Visa took eight days. Therefore, it’s crucial to strategize and plan accordingly.
Please note that the offices of Vietnam Immigration do not function on weekends – Saturdays and Sundays or on significant national holidays such as the Traditional Day of Vietnam People’s Public Security Force celebrated in August. This could potentially affect the processing time of your Vietnam e-Visa.
Before embarking on the process of acquiring a Vietnam e-visa, here are some fundamental prerequisites that you need to satisfy:
- You should have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your arrival date and possesses at least 2 empty pages
- A photograph of your passport’s personal data page and a self-portrait photo (picture should face forward, no glasses, on a white backdrop)
- The capability to effect online payments using a credit or debit card
- The residential address where you’ll be residing in Vietnam; this could be your hotel or any other accommodation venue
- Details about your current employment
- The name of your employing organization
- The address of the aforementioned organization
- The contact number for your company.
For your Vietnam e-Visa, you’re obligated to provide two specific photographs. The first photo should be a straight-faced, no-glasses, portrait of yourself (4x6cm). The second one should be a clear image of your passport’s data page (the first page). This should clearly display your picture, personal details, and ICAO lines.
Please ensure that each photo file size is less than 2 MB and is in .JPG format before uploading.
Ensure that your Vietnam e-visa photos meet the necessary requirements by following these guidelines. Use a smartphone to capture a forward-facing selfie without glasses and against a white background to ensure your portrait photo is up to standard. Avoid using a high-quality image of your passport photo as your portrait picture.
For the passport copy, capture a clear top-down shot of the first page containing all the necessary details – similar to the example provided. Make sure there is no glare and that all information is easily readable.
If you’re applying for your Vietnam e-visa through an agency, simply send them these photos. They will assist in creating images that comply with all regulations and size requirements for Vietnam e-visa photos.
To keep track of your Vietnam e-Visa application status, frequent manual checks on the official website are recommended. This should be done multiple times each day.
The process involves inputting your registration code, email address, and birth date before initiating a search for your results. The subsequent outcome will reveal either ‘in processing’, ‘granted’, or ‘denied’ status.
For easy access to the application tracking and visa download features, click here.
If you’ve opted for an agency to handle your e-visa application, you can rest assured of timely delivery. Should there be any uncertainties or queries, feel free to reach out to them via email.
The official stance is that the outcome of your Vietnam e-Visa application won’t be emailed to you, however, we did get an email alert as soon as it was completed.
The email notification we got merely stated that the results were ready, but for the detailed status of our Vietnam e-Visa application, we were still required to visit the official website.
If you’re using an agency to apply for your e-visa, they assure prompt delivery of your Vietnam e-Visa through email. Don’t hesitate to reach out via email if you have questions or need clarification.
Typically, your Vietnam e-Visa application will be processed by the immigration department within three business days. However, there could be instances where it could extend up to seven or ten days.
In our case, our Vietnam e-Visa approval took slightly longer – eight days due to intervening public holidays. Hence, it is crucial to factor in such circumstances when planning your travel.
Opting for an agency to handle your Vietnam e-Visa application ensures punctual delivery of your e-visa via email. If you’re in a rush, they offer various expedited options that can get your e-visa ready within 2 hours, 4 hours, 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days at an additional cost.
Various factors could contribute to the lateness of your Vietnam e-Visa result. These may include national holidays, an overwhelming number of applications, or payment processing issues.
Some sources suggest that there may occur a lag between when you remit your e-Visa payment and when the banks process it.
Furthermore, it should be noted that some applications for the Vietnam e-Visa might need additional verification from The Ministry of Public Security. In such instances, you may have to wait up to 15 working days to receive your result.
In compliance with the regulations of the Vietnam e-visa, your entrance into the country is limited to the port of entry that you selected during the application process. This information is also explicitly stated within the visa documentation you receive.
Even though it might be feasible to gain entry via a different airport than the one you’ve designated on your Vietnam e-Visa, it’s not recommended as this can lead to problems. One of the primary issues is the risk of being refused the permission to board your flight by an airline. In case you succeed in getting on board, your fate then lies in the hands of the immigration officer at your arrival destination who will decide whether or not you’re allowed to proceed.
While things might turn out favorably, we strongly caution against arriving at an airport/land border/seaport other than what you’ve chosen on your Vietnam e-Visa application to avoid potential complications.
In any situation, the US$25 charge assigned for processing the single entry, 30-day Vietnam e-Visa is non-refundable, irrespective of the end result.
Similarly, the cost of securing the multiple entry 90-day Vietnam e-Visa, which stands at US$50, is equally non-refundable in all circumstances, no matter what outcome is realized.
Absolutely, you must print out your Vietnam e-Visa, despite the fact that the entire application process is handled online. Upon your arrival in Vietnam, you’ll be required to provide this hard copy.
Several travelers have noted that showcasing a digital version of your e-visa on your mobile device isn’t an issue if your entry point is Tan Son Nhat airport, Noi Bai airport, or Da Nang airport. These airports handle a great volume of international traffic frequently, making them accommodating for such needs.
However, we cannot stress enough the importance of carrying a printed version of your Vietnam e-visa when you arrive in the country.
Unfortunately, the Vietnam e-Visa system doesn’t permit multiple applications within one submission, suggesting that families or groups should submit an individual application for each member.
On the other hand, if you engage an agency’s services to process your Vietnam e-Visas, it becomes feasible to apply for numerous individuals simultaneously. The convenience here is that there’s no need to complete the online form; a simple email request suffices. This approach significantly minimizes your time and effort.
Suppose an issue arises with your Vietnam e-Visa application, such as an error you’ve made or a problem with the process itself. In that case, you have the option to contact the support agents directly via the official website. You can detail your concern, whether it involves incorrect information on your Vietnam e-Visa application, a payment that didn’t go through, or a lost registration code.
Regrettably, there isn’t a specific timeline for when these support agents will respond to your queries about your Vietnam e-Visa.
However, if you’ve opted to apply for your Vietnam e-Visa through an agency, you have the convenience of reaching out to them via email with any questions and expect a prompt response.
If your Vietnam e-visa application is incomplete or includes incorrect information, the immigration authority may require additional details. In some instances, they might even reject your application.
If your Vietnam e-visa application was mistakenly approved with incorrect data, you would need to submit a fresh application carrying the correct information.
Upon your entry into Vietnam utilizing your e-Visa, it is mandatory to present a hard copy of the Vietnam e-Visa document that you’ve obtained (printed from PDF) along with your passport. The details on your e-Visa must be in alignment with the information on your passport.
Despite Vietnam’s change in policy no longer necessitating a proof of travel insurance, we still highly recommend not embarking on travel without a valid travel insurance policy.
Yes, you can make your entry into Vietnam later than the date stated on your e-Visa application. However, arriving before this date is not permitted.
It’s crucial to remember when applying for your Vietnam e-Visa that the entry date must be accurately recorded. Once your visa gets approval, the validity period begins from this predetermined entry date, irrespective of whether you receive your visa later than expected.
Our designated entry date for Vietnam was set for the 2nd of September, but due to a delay, our Vietnam e-visa didn’t arrive until the 5th. As a result, we lost three days of our planned trip. Our next destination was supposed to be Nha Trang, however, the immediate flight wasn’t available until the 9th of September. Hence, this caused an additional loss of four days.
This experience underscored the critical importance of being aware of your travel dates well in advance and applying for the Vietnam e-visa much earlier than the stated processing time of three working days. This approach could potentially save you precious time during your travels.
If there are any further questions or uncertainties, don’t hesitate to leave a message below. We’re always ready to assist you with more information!
– Thank you
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