Us Passport Expiry Rules For Travel To Vietnam

If you're a US citizen travelling to Vietnam, you'll need to make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay. Your passport must also have at least one blank visa page (not including the endorsement page). This is a requirement for entry into the country, and you will be denied entry if your passport doesn't meet these criteria. It's also worth noting that the Vietnamese government has recently increased the penalties for visa overstays, and fines can be substantial.

US passport validity period for travel to Vietnam

To enter Vietnam, US citizens require a valid visa and a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the exit date. The passport must also have at least two blank visa pages.

The US Department of State's international travel data page is a good resource for checking the exact requirements of foreign countries.

It is important to note that countries have different rules about passport validity, and these rules can change. It is always advisable to check the specific requirements of your destination country before departure to avoid unwelcome surprises.

Visa requirements for US citizens entering Vietnam

US citizens require a valid visa to enter Vietnam. The visa options available to US citizens are:

• Tourist visas: valid for stays between 30 and 90 days.
• Family Visit Visa: requires proof of family relationships (e.g. spouse, parent, or child of a Vietnamese national) and is valid for up to one year.
• Business visa: requires sponsorship from an eligible company and is intended for business-related purposes.
• E-visa: valid for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry, and does not allow for renewal or extension.

To obtain a visa, US citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond their Vietnam arrival date. The passport must also have at least one blank visa page.

To apply for a visa online, US citizens must complete the following steps:

• Submit an online Vietnam visa application form for US citizens.
• Receive a Vietnam Visa Approval Letter.
• Get a Vietnam visa stamp upon arrival at one of Vietnam's international airports (Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Nha Trang).

Alternatively, US citizens can apply for a pre-approval letter from the Vietnamese government-authorised businesses or travel agencies. With this letter, travellers can then apply for a visa upon landing in Vietnam.

US passport renewal process

To enter Vietnam, US citizens require a valid visa and a US passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the exit date. The passport must also have at least 2 blank visa pages.

Confirm you meet the requirements:

You can renew your passport by mail if your most recent passport:

• Can be submitted with your application.
• Is not damaged (beyond normal wear and tear).
• Has never been reported lost or stolen.
• Was issued within the last 15 years.
• Was issued when you were aged 16 or older.
• Was issued in your current name (or you can provide a document like a marriage certificate or divorce decree to show a legal name change).

Fill out your form online and print it:

• Use the Form Filler tool to fill out your form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it.
• Complete all parts of the form.
• Sign and date your form before mailing it.
• Print your form on single-sided paper. Double-sided forms are not accepted.
• Check your date of birth and previous passport issuance date.
• You can renew a passport book, a passport card, or both documents.
• Use Form DS-82 to apply for your first passport book if you only have a passport card, or to apply for your first passport card if you only have a passport book.
• If you travel many times each year, get a larger passport book with more visa pages at no extra cost. Check the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-82.
• If renewing from Canada, do not include your Canadian Social Insurance Number on the form in place of your US Social Security number.

Submit your most recent US passport:

• When renewing by mail or in person, you must submit your most recent passport(s) with your application.
• Your most recent passport may not arrive for up to four weeks after you get your new passport.

Submit other documents:

• If the name you are using is different from the name on your most recent US passport, you must provide a certified copy of the legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court-ordered name change document.
• We will return your name change document in a separate mailing from your new passport.
• You must provide one photo with your application. Go to the Passport Photo page for photo requirements and examples of photos.
• You can get a photo at some passport acceptance facilities, a company that offers photo services, or at home by asking a friend or family member to take your photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo-quality paper.
• Staple your photo to the application. Follow the instructions on the application. Use four staples vertically in the corners as close to the outer edges of the photo as possible.
• Do not bend the photo.

Pay using a personal check or money order:

• Make it payable to the US Department of State. Do not send cash.
• Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service.
• Add $21.36 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport within 1-2 days after issuing it.
• Go to the Passport Fees page to learn more about how much it costs to apply for a passport and how you can pay.
• Please write the full name and date of birth of the applicant on the front of the check or money order.
• Renewing from Canada? Personal checks or money orders must draw on US financial institutions based in the US and be payable in US dollars. Acceptable US checks and money orders must have a 9-digit routing number. Do not include 1-2 day or express delivery fees with your payment. These services are not available to US residents in Canada.

Submit your completed application and documents:

• If you are traveling in less than 3 weeks, make an appointment to renew in person at a passport agency or center. Your appointment must be within 14 calendar days of your travel date.
• If you are traveling in more than 3 weeks, mail your completed application and documents to one of the addresses below:
• If you live in the United States, use the United States Postal Service (USPS). If you live in Canada, use Canada Post.
• Where you mail the application depends on where you live and how fast you need your passport.
• If you want routine service and you live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas, mail your application to: National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 640155 Irving, TX 75064-0155.
• If you want routine service and you live in any other state or in Canada, mail your application to: National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90155 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.
• If you want expedited service, write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the mailing envelope and mail your application to: National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90955 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955.
• If you want faster delivery, pay for Priority Mail Express. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• If you want your passport to be delivered within 1-2 days after it is issued, include a fee of $21.36 with your check or money order payable to the US Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with pre-paid postage.
• You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings.
• If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services for passport card-only applications.
• If you are outside the United States (any country besides Canada), contact your US embassy or consulate.

Visa exemption for US citizens with Vietnamese spouses

US citizens with Vietnamese spouses are eligible for a 5-year visa exemption to enter Vietnam. This is one of the longest visa certificates available and saves a lot of time and energy in applying for and renewing a standard Vietnamese visa. The visa exemption is valid for five years but will expire six months before the passport of the applicant does.

To obtain the visa exemption, the following conditions must be met:

• The applicant must have a passport valid for at least one year.
• The applicant must have a guarantor in Vietnam, usually a family member.
• The applicant must have a spouse or child who is a Vietnamese citizen, and the relationship must be proven by relevant documents, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
• The applicant must not belong to cases of denial of entry or suspension of exit as prescribed in Article 28 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, No. 47/2014/QH13.

The following documents are required for the exemption:

• Application for a 5-year visa exemption.
• Two 4x6 portrait photos with a white background (one attached to the application and one for the record).
• Passport or valid international travel document with at least one year of validity, accompanied by a copy for the record.
• Proof of family relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

The visa exemption certificate can be obtained from the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C. or from a Vietnamese Consulate in the United States. The processing time for applications is typically 5 to 7 working days, and the fee is between $10 and $20.

US passport validity for travel from Vietnam to Laos

When travelling from Vietnam to Laos, US citizens must have a passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry, as well as at least two blank visa pages. Laos has different visa requirements for citizens of different countries. Citizens of some countries, including Vietnam, can visit Laos for 15-30 days without a visa. If you want to stay in Laos for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.

There are three ways to apply for a tourist visa from Vietnam to Laos:

• On arrival at international airports and border checkpoints.
• Online via the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos.
• At the embassy or consulate of Laos in Vietnam, for those who aren't eligible to apply online or on arrival.

Frequently asked questions