Vietnam Visa Requirements

What are the visa requirements for Vietnam?

To get a visa for Vietnam is only possible if you follow some visa requirements. Getting your Vietnam visa online is the easiest and most comfortable way of getting this official travel document. Citizens who are from eligible nationalities and those who travel for tourism will be allowed to get a Vietnam evisa. 

If you are one of them, you will be able to apply and get the visa for Vietnam completely online. No need to go to any embassy or consulate or to deal with tons of paperwork.

Visa requirements for online applications

One of the main requirements is to be a citizen of one of the countries eligible for the eVisa. You must also be traveling to Vietnam for no more than 90 days and for purposes of tourism, business or to visit friends or relatives.

You should inquire at your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate if you require a different type of visa, if your visit to Vietnam is intended to be longer, or if your trip serves purposes other than tourism.

Vietnamese farmer amongst incense

What documents do you need to apply for the eVisa?

The Vietnam visa requirements are as follows: 

  • Passport and scan of the biographical page of the passport
  • Digital passport photo. Your photo must follow this format:
  1. Image should measure 4cm x 6cm (2 inches by 2 inches) and it should be recent (taken within the last 6 months).
  2. The weight should not exceed 1MB.
  3. Photos should be in color and be uploaded in portrait format (no smiling, keep a neutral expression) with a plain and bright background.
  4. The accepted file types are JPG and GIF. 
  5. The photo should be as clear as possible and your eyes should be as visible as possible. You can wear glasses, if they don’t cover your eyes.
  6. Only scarves and head pieces can be worn if they are for religious or medical reasons.
  • Evisa Vietnam application form. You must fill in the application form truthfully. Any omitted or false details will result in the denial of the visa for Vietnam. Some details you will be asked in the form are personal information like name, address, date of birth, country of birth, etc.; passport details like number, expiration date, country of issue, etc. and travel plans like dates of arrival and exiting, accommodation address, airport of entry, etc. 
  • Email address to receive your eVisa.

Other visa requirements for Vietnam

Can I travel to Vietnam without a visa?

A valid visa is generally required for citizens of most countries visiting the nation. If your nationality allows you to travel without a visa, it is usually for short stays and only for tourism. Remember that you will always need a valid passport to be granted access into Vietnam.

There are also some citizens from selected countries that can travel to Vietnam only with an electronic travel authorization: the Vietnam eVisa. You can get it online.

If neither of these two situations apply to you (you are not from an eligible country or you want to travel for reasons other than tourism or business), you must ask your nearest Vietnam embassy or consulate for more information on your specific visa requirements.

Which countries can get a Vietnam eVisa?

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How many days before should I apply for a Vietnam visa?

The answer depends on the way you are applying for the visa. The three ways of getting a visa for Vietnam are: 

  • If you decide to get a visa on arrival, the application is made when you arrive in Vietnam. While this can be convenient if everything goes smoothly, there can be problems if your visa is not approved. You will have to return immediately to your home country. Additionally, you can face longer queues and delays.
  • When you get the Vietnam visa online, you can apply just one week before your intended trip. The process itself is swift, and within a few days, you’ll receive your approved visa in your email.
  • If you choose to apply through an embassy or consulate, it’s advisable to do so well in advance. Processing times can take up to 10 working days on average.

How quickly can I get the visa?

The speed at which you obtain a visa also depends on the method of application

The visa on arrival option enables travelers to apply for and receive the visa in person at the airport. However, it is necessary to apply in advance for pre-approval of the visa (with a visa approval letter) and, upon arrival, present it to the authorities. This method is not recommended, as there is a possibility that your application may be rejected once you are in Vietnam, requiring you to promptly return to your country.

The online visa is typically processed in just less than a week. It’s advisable to apply using this method and at least one week in advance of your trip to account for any potential issues.

Getting your visa through the embassy or consulate is by far the longest process. Applications typically require a minimum of 10 working days, though this may vary depending on the specific embassy or consulate handling the application. 

Hoi An shops

How long can I stay in Vietnam with my visa?

The length of stay in Vietnam depends on the type of visa you select or are eligible for. If you are traveling for tourism you can opt for two types of visas:

  • Single entry tourist eVisa: you can only enter the country once, but stay for up to 30 days.

  • Multiple entry tourist eVisa:  you can enter the country multiple times and each stay can be for up to 90 days. For example, you can enter and exit as many times as you like from January 1st to March 30th, with each stay limited to 90 days. Even if you exit on March 28th and re-enter on March 30th, the latter stay is also limited to a maximum of 90 days.

Holders of any of these two eVisas can go directly to the immigration counters and do not need to queue at the airport where they arrive at.

Can I extend my Vietnam eVisa?

Yes, as long as your visa is still valid. You will need to apply for an extension in the country at your nearest embassy. It is recommended to apply for a visa extension or renewal at least 7 business days before the visa expires. 

When you extend your visa, the passport will be stamped and credited with the extension time, but no new visa sticker will be issued. Also without leaving the country, you can renew the visa instead of extending it. If you renew it, you’ll get a new visa stamp and sticker in your passport.

The requirements to extend or renew a visa are the same: you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months and with at least 2 blank pages. You can apply for a visa for Vietnam at some immigration offices like the ones in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Khanh Hoa.

Lastly, you can leave the country and apply for a new eVisa. When it comes to fees, you can expect lower fees when you want to extend your visa than when you renew it. If you apply for an eVisa from outside Vietnam, you should expect to pay the same as the first time you applied for it. 

You shouldn’t stay in Vietnam past your visa’s expiration date. Vietnam gives multiple options to extend the duration of the document and legally stay and visit the country.