Applying For A Vietnam Travel Visa

how to apply for a travel visa for vietnam

To visit Vietnam, most people need a visa. Citizens of many African countries and parts of Asia are exempt from this requirement, but citizens of North American and European countries will need to obtain one. There are several ways to apply for a Vietnamese visa. One way is to apply for an e-visa through the Vietnamese Immigration Department's online application process. The e-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days and can include single or multiple entries. It costs $25 USD for a single entry and $50 USD for multiple entries. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa through your local Vietnamese Embassy, or in person or by mail at the Embassy. If you opt for the visa approval letter, you must apply in advance and then obtain the official visa stamp in your passport upon arrival in the country.

Characteristics Values
Visa type E-visa, Visa on Arrival, Standard Visa
E-visa validity 90 days, single or multiple entry
E-visa fee $25 for a single entry, $50 for multiple entries
E-visa payment method Electronic payment gateway, bank transfer
E-visa conditions Hold a valid passport, not suspended from entry
Visa on Arrival fee $25 for a single entry, $50 for multiple entries
Visa on Arrival payment method Cash in Vietnamese dong or US dollars
Visa on Arrival conditions Approval letter, passport, photos, cash payment
Standard Visa application In-person or by mail to the Embassy
Standard Visa processing time 5 working days, 3 working days with approval letter
Standard Visa expedited service 1-4 working days, 24-hour processing time

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E-visa application process

The E-visa application process for Vietnam is relatively straightforward, but it's important to ensure you have all the required information to avoid any delays. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply for a Vietnam E-visa:

Step 1: Eligibility and Requirements

Firstly, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for an E-visa. You must be a foreigner outside of Vietnam with a valid passport and not falling under any suspension of entry cases prescribed in Article 21 of the Law on Foreigners' Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, Residence in Vietnam.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

To apply for a Vietnam E-visa, you will need the following:

  • A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of your arrival in Vietnam and at least two blank pages.
  • A soft copy of a passport-size photo that meets the Vietnam visa photo requirements.
  • Soft copies of your passport's personal data page, which should be clear and easy to read.
  • Details of your exact entry port and temporary address in Vietnam.
  • A credit or debit card to pay the E-visa fee online (note that American Express is not accepted).

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

Access the official Vietnam E-visa website: https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home. Select 'English' at the top right, then choose 'Electronic Visa', followed by 'For Foreigner'. Tick the confirmation box and continue.

Fill in the required information, including your surname and given name (ensure these match your passport details). Provide your expected travel dates, passport details (type, number, issue and expiry dates), and information about your trip, such as the purpose of entry, intended length of stay, entry checkpoint, exit point, and temporary address in Vietnam.

Step 4: Make the Payment

After verifying your information, you will receive a registration code via email. Proceed to make the payment for the E-visa fee online through the prescribed electronic payment gateway. The fee varies based on the type of E-visa: $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa. Please note that the fee is non-refundable if your application is refused or if there are incorrect details provided by you in the application form.

Step 5: Check Status and Download E-visa

It typically takes around 3-5 working days to receive your E-visa letter. To check the status of your application, visit https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/tra-cuu-ho-so. Enter the required information to check the status. If your visa has been granted, click on the green arrow next to 'Print Visa' to download your E-visa.

Step 6: Prepare for Entry to Vietnam

Once you have your E-visa, you can enter Vietnam through any of the designated international border gates, including all international airports. Remember to carry your passport and E-visa with you during travel. Upon arrival, you will need to present your E-visa, passport, and additional passport photos (at least two) to receive the official visa stamp in your passport.

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Visa approval letter

The "Visa approval letter" is a mandatory document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department that allows you to enter and exit Vietnam for a given time period (typically 1 to 3 months, single or multiple entries). It is not the visa itself but a required document to obtain a visa on arrival for Vietnam. The approval letter serves as the "KEY" document to check in for your international flight to Vietnam. Without it, you will be denied boarding.

To obtain a visa approval letter, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have sponsorship from a legally established and operating company in Vietnam. This can include a foreign-invested company, a state-owned company, a representative office of a foreign trader, or a tour company in Vietnam.
  • Not be listed on the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist.

The procedure to obtain a visa approval letter is done online by the sponsoring company via its account on the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security. The letter processing time depends on the type of visa and how quickly you need it. Normal processing takes 7-10 working days, while urgent cases can be processed in 3-5 working days or even the same day.

The visa approval letter will contain:

  • A statement allowing its holder(s) to enter Vietnam and get the visa stamped at a Vietnam airport.
  • Details of those permitted to enter Vietnam, including full name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality.
  • The permitted duration of stay in Vietnam.
  • An electronic signature from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Once you have obtained the approval letter, print it in colour, if possible, and bring it with you when travelling to Vietnam. Keep it with your passport so that you can easily access it when you arrive at the airport.

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Visa requirements

To enter Vietnam, you must have a valid passport and a visa. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank visa page (not including the endorsement page).

Visa Options

There are several options for obtaining a visa for Vietnam:

  • Apply for an E-visa online: The Vietnamese Immigration Department issues E-visas to foreigners through an online application process. E-visas are issued with a validity period of up to 90 days, single or multiple entries, for a fee of $25 for one entry or $50 for multiple entries. The E-visa fee is payable via bank transfer or electronic payment gateway.
  • Apply for a Visa on Arrival: Travellers must apply in advance for a visa approval letter and then obtain the official visa stamp in their passports upon arrival in the country. The visa approval letter can be obtained through an online application process. The visa stamp can be obtained at one of four international airports in Vietnam: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Nha Trang. The stamping fee for the Visa on Arrival is $25 for a single entry and $50 for multiple entries, payable in cash in Vietnamese dong or US dollars.
  • Apply through a local Vietnam Embassy: Travellers can also apply for visas to visit Vietnam through their local Vietnam Embassies.
  • Apply through the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C.: Applicants can apply in person or by mail to the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C. The standard processing time is five working days, with expedited services available for an additional fee.

Visa Exemption

Citizens of certain countries are exempt from Vietnam's visa requirements. From 15 August 2023, citizens of 13 countries can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Citizens of 25 other countries, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, are also exempted from the visa requirement.

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Visa fee

When applying for a Vietnamese visa, there are two types of fees that must be paid: the approval letter fee and the stamping fee. The approval letter fee is paid online, and the stamping fee is paid in cash at Vietnam airports. The cost of the visa depends on the type of visa and the number of entries.

The approval letter fee can be paid through an online payment gateway using major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. This fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. The normal processing time for the approval letter is two days, but expedited services are available for an additional fee.

The stamping fee is paid upon arrival at one of the designated international border gates or airports in Vietnam. This fee is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa. The fee must be paid in cash using either Vietnamese dong or US dollars. It is important to have the exact fee amount in cash before departing for Vietnam.

Some sources mention additional fees, such as a processing service fee and a government fee. The processing service fee is paid to a private agent or agency to handle the visa application and obtain the visa approval letter. The government fee is paid at the landing visa counter at the arrival airport to get the visa stamp and sticker. It is possible to pay the government fee online in advance to avoid waiting in line at the airport.

It is worth noting that citizens of certain countries, such as North American and European countries, are required to obtain a visa for entry into Vietnam, while citizens of some African countries and parts of Asia are exempt from visa requirements.

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Visa collection

Once you have applied for your Vietnamese visa online and received your approval letter, you will need to collect your visa stamp in person at one of the four international airports in Vietnam: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Nha Trang.

To collect your visa, you will need to present your approval letter, passport, photos, and cash payment for the stamping fee. The stamping fee is payable in either Vietnamese dong or US dollars.

It is important to note that your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining on the date of your arrival in Vietnam and should have plenty of blank pages for visa stamps.

If you are a US citizen, you can contact the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate for official instructions on visa applications. The Embassy of Vietnam is located in Washington D.C., and there are Consulate Generals in San Francisco, Houston, and New York.

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Frequently asked questions

You can apply for an E-visa, which is issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department via an online application process. You can also apply for a standard visa at the Embassy, either in person or by mail.

You must hold a valid passport and pay the E-visa fee via electronic payment. The E-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry.

You must hold a valid passport and apply at the Embassy. The standard visa can be issued with a length and number of entries not exceeding that indicated in the visa approval by the competent authority of Vietnam.

For an E-visa, it usually takes three to five working days after the Vietnamese Immigration Department receives the completed application and E-visa fee. For a standard visa, it takes five working days if the applicant hasn't had a letter of approval, and three working days if they already have one.

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