Whether you are a Taiwan passport holder living in the US as a resident, an international student, or a business professional temporarily traveling to the US for work, you must obtain a visa beforehand if you plan to depart from the US to travel or conduct business in Vietnam. As of 2026, Vietnam has not implemented a full visa exemption policy for Taiwan passport holders, so all travelers with a Taiwan passport must secure a valid visa prior to entering Vietnam. Don’t worry, applying for a Vietnam visa from the United States is actually less complicated than you might think. Below is a summary of the three most practical application methods, helping you easily find the option that best suits your needs.
1. Electronic Visa (E-Visa) – The Most Recommended Mainstream Method
Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has expanded the eligibility of its Electronic Visa to all countries, and Taiwan passport holders fully qualify. The E-visa is currently the most convenient option. The entire process is conducted online without needing to leave your home, and once approved, you simply print it out to use, allowing you to use the dedicated lanes for fast immigration clearance upon arrival in Vietnam.
- Target Audience
- Travelers going to Vietnam for tourism or short-term business trips
- Itineraries with a stay duration not exceeding 90 days
- People looking to simplify the application process and save time and effort
- Required Documents
- A scanned copy of the original Taiwan passport (validity must exceed the expected departure date from Vietnam by at least 6 months)
- A recent passport-style photo digital file with a white background (4x6cm, no glasses, clear front face)
- Accommodation address (hotel name and address)
- Application Steps
- Go to the application website: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
- Select “Electronic Visa (E-Visa)” and fill out the online form
- Upload the scanned copy of your passport bio-data page and the white-background ID photo
- Select the visa type, validity, and processing time
- Complete the payment via credit card or PayPal
- Receive the E-visa PDF file within the selected timeframe
- Print the PDF (color printing recommended) and bring it to the Vietnam airport to pass through the “E-Visa Dedicated Lane”
E-Visa Fee Schedule (All fees included)
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Tourist Visa | Business Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Month Single Entry | 4 working days | 70 USD | 80 USD |
| 3 working days | 90 USD | 100 USD | |
| 2 working days | 110 USD | 120 USD | |
| 1 working day | 150 USD | 160 USD | |
| 4 working hours | 190 USD | 200 USD | |
| 1-Month Multiple Entry | 4 working days | 100 USD | 110 USD |
| 3 working days | 120 USD | 130 USD | |
| 2 working days | 140 USD | 150 USD | |
| 1 working day | 180 USD | 190 USD | |
| 4 working hours | 220 USD | 230 USD | |
| 3-Month Single Entry | 4 working days | 90 USD | 100 USD |
| 3 working days | 110 USD | 120 USD | |
| 2 working days | 130 USD | 140 USD | |
| 1 working day | 170 USD | 180 USD | |
| 4 working hours | 210 USD | 220 USD | |
| 3-Month Multiple Entry | 4 working days | 120 USD | 130 USD |
| 3 working days | 140 USD | 150 USD | |
| 2 working days | 160 USD | 170 USD | |
| 1 working day | 200 USD | 210 USD | |
| 4 working hours | 240 USD | 250 USD |
✅ Success Guaranteed: If the visa is not successfully issued, a full refund will be processed via PayPal within 1 working day.
2. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – The Backup Option for Urgent Travel
A Visa on Arrival does not mean you can simply fly to the airport and apply. Before departure, you must first obtain a “Visa Approval Letter” issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. You can only board the plane with this approval letter, and you will then queue up to pay and collect your visa sticker upon arriving at the airport in Vietnam. This method is suitable for those who decide to travel at the last minute and do not have enough time to wait for the E-visa review.
- Target Audience
- Urgent departure times (e.g., needing to obtain an approval letter within 2-4 hours)
- Special circumstances where an E-visa cannot be used
- Those entering Vietnam strictly through international airports (not applicable for land borders or seaports)
- Application Steps (Before Departure)
- Go to the agency website https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/ and select “Visa on Arrival”
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport bio-data page (validity must be 3 months or more)
- Fill in personal and itinerary information and complete the payment
- Receive the approval letter within approximately 4 working days (urgent processing takes 2-4 hours at the fastest)
- Print out the approval letter and carry it to board your flight
- Collecting the Visa After Arriving in Vietnam Please prepare the following documents and proceed to the “Visa on Arrival Office” at the airport:
- Visa Approval Letter (hard copy)
- Original passport (validity at least 6 months)
- 2 passport-style photos with a white background (4x6cm)
- Completed Entry and Exit Application Form
- Stamping fee in cash (Single entry: 25 USD / Multiple entry: 50 USD)
Tourist Visa on Arrival Total Fee Table (Service Fee + Stamping Fee)
| Visa Type | Service Fee (Online) | Stamping Fee (Airport) | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Month Single | 45 USD | 25 USD | 70 USD |
| 1-Month Multiple | 50 USD | 50 USD | 100 USD |
Note: 3-Month single/multiple entry Visa on Arrival services are not provided by all agencies; please refer to the latest announcements on the website.
Visa on Arrival Urgent Surcharge Fees (Using 1-Month Single Entry as an example)
- 4 working hours: +100 USD
- 1 working day: +60 USD
- 2 working days: +40 USD
- 3 working days: +20 USD
- Within 1 working hour: Please contact customer service
3. Applying in Person at the Embassy / Consulate General of Vietnam in the US (Traditional Method)
If you prefer face-to-face communication to confirm all details, or if you need to apply for special visa types that E-visas and Visas on Arrival cannot cover, you can choose to apply in person at the Embassy or a Consulate General of Vietnam in the United States.
Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions in the United States
- Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C.
- Address: 1233 20th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
- Phone: 202-861-0737
- Consular Affairs Hotline: 202-716-8666 or 202-739-1666
- Email (Consular-related): visatovn@vietnamembassy.us
- General Inquiries: vanphong@vietnamembassy.us
- Official Website: http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org
- Embassy Working Hours (EST): Monday to Friday 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00
- Consular Service Hours: Monday / Wednesday / Friday 09:30-12:00
- Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco
- Address: 1700 California St, Suite 580, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Phone: (415) 922-1707 or (415) 922-1577
- Email: info@vietnamconsulate-sf.org
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-12:00 & 14:00-16:00
- Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston
- Address: 5251 Westheimer Road, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77056
- Phone: (713) 850-1233 or (713) 840-0096
- Email: vnconsulate1102@gmail.com
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
- Consulate General of Vietnam in New York
- Address: 866 U.N. Plaza, Suite 435, New York, NY 10017
- Phone: (212) 644-2535 or (212) 644-0831
- Email: lsvn866ny@gmail.com
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
- Required Documents
- Original passport (valid for at least 6 months, counted from the intended departure date from Vietnam)
- 2 recent passport photos (4x6cm, white or light-colored background, no glasses)
- Completed visa application form (can be downloaded from the embassy’s official website)
- Visa fee (varies by visa type, it is recommended to call and confirm the amount before departure)
- If for a work/seminar/business visa: An approval letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department must be prepared
⚠️ Before setting out, it is highly recommended to call or write an email to confirm the latest processing hours, fees, and form requirements to avoid a wasted trip. Embassies and consulates are closed on both Vietnamese and US public holidays.
4. VIP Fast Track Service (Save Time Queueing)
At major international airports in Vietnam (Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Da Nang Airport, etc.), the waiting time to collect visas and pass through customs can take as long as 1 to 2 hours. The VIP Fast Track service can save you a significant amount of time:
- Dedicated staff airport pickup and guidance
- Priority collection of Visas on Arrival
- Access to the VIP dedicated customs lane
- Particularly suitable for business travelers, family trips, or anyone who wants to avoid waiting in line.
5. Visa Application Notes and Common Mistakes
- Passport Validity Requirement Vietnamese authorities strictly require that passport validity must be at least 6 months from the intended date of entry. If your passport validity is insufficient, please make sure to renew it before applying for a visa.
- Blank Pages Requirement There must be at least 2 blank visa pages inside the passport; otherwise, you may be denied entry at the airport.
- Ensure Name Spelling is Correct When applying for an E-visa, your name must match the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) on your passport exactly. Any spelling mistakes or inverted name orders may result in being denied boarding. It is recommended to double-check before submitting your application.
- Phu Quoc Island Visa Exemption Exception If you plan to take an international flight directly to Phu Quoc Island (PQC) and stay strictly within Phu Quoc Island, you can enjoy a visa exemption for up to 30 days. However, if your itinerary includes a transit through or travel to the Vietnamese mainland (such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, etc.), you must apply for a visa in advance.
- APEC Business Travel Card If you hold a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you can enjoy a 90-day visa exemption on the Vietnamese mainland, making it a convenient option for business professionals.
- Visa Effective Date Reminder The start date of a Vietnamese visa’s validity is based on the “intended date of entry” you filled in when applying, not the date the visa was issued. For example, if you apply on the 5th and fill in the 15th as your entry date, and you receive the visa on the 10th, the visa will still not become officially effective until the 15th.
6. How to Choose the Most Suitable Visa Method for You?
| Situation | Recommended Method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ample time (more than 4 working days) | Electronic Visa (Regular) | Cheapest, most convenient, no need to queue for a visa |
| Last-minute departure decision (within 1-3 days) | Electronic Visa (Urgent) | Obtainable within 1-3 working days, reasonable price |
| Extremely urgent (need to depart within a few hours) | Visa on Arrival (Urgent) | Obtain the approval letter within 2-4 hours at the fastest |
| Prefer to confirm details face-to-face | Apply through Embassy / Consulate | Can communicate directly with personnel |
| Do not want to queue at the airport | E-Visa or VIP Fast Track | E-visa uses a dedicated lane, or you can purchase VIP service |
| Special visa types (long-term work visa, etc.) | Apply through Embassy / Consulate | E-visas and Visas on Arrival cannot cover these |
To summarize in one sentence: If you are departing from the United States to Vietnam, as long as you follow this guide to prepare your documents, confirm your passport validity, and reserve enough processing time, you will be able to obtain your visa smoothly. It is recommended to prioritize the Electronic Visa—it saves time, effort, and is highly reliable! If you have any questions, you can contact the agency’s customer service for further consultation.
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