Vietnam Visa Application – A Full Guide
Ranked the 7th top of the world’s 20 fastest-growing travel destinations. Vietnam has amazed travelers with its intoxicating natural beauties, extraordinary traditional cuisine, and valuable virtues that nowhere could have. So, if you are planning to visit Vietnam, taking some information about how to apply for a Vietnam visa would be great to make your trip smoother.
Why You Need a Vietnam Visa?
As you know, Visa is a tool that helps the migration department control foreigners entering their country. As a result, the government of Vietnam implements a visa for the sake of controlling people who enter Vietnam.
In fact, having an approved Vietnam visa would not take you a lot of time. Particularly, Vietnam now has implemented the process of applying for a visa online (e-visa), which reduces much waiting time for people who want to visit the country.
Who Can Apply for a Vietnam Visa?
Except for nationals who come from the blacklist of Vietnam-entering countries. People from around the world can easily register for a visa online. Here is the list of nations whose citizens are allowed to apply for the visa.
| No. | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Andorra |
| 2 | Argentina |
| 3 | Armenia |
| 4 | Australia |
| 5 | Austria |
| 6 | Azerbaijan |
| 7 | Belarus |
| 8 | Belgium |
| 9 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 10 | Brazil |
| 11 | Bruney |
| 12 | Bulgaria |
| 13 | Canada |
| 14 | Chile |
| 15 | China – Including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders – Not apply to Chinese e-passport holders |
| 16 | Colombia |
| 17 | Croatia |
| 18 | Cuba |
| 19 | Cyprus |
| 20 | Czech Republic |
| 21 | Denmark |
| 22 | Estonia |
| 23 | Federated States of Micronesia |
| 24 | Fiji |
| 25 | Finland |
| 26 | France |
| 27 | Georgia |
| 28 | Germany |
| 29 | Greece |
| 30 | Hungary |
| 31 | Iceland |
| 32 | India |
| 33 | Ireland |
| 34 | Italy |
| 35 | Japan |
| 36 | Kazakhstan |
| 37 | Korea (South) |
| 38 | Latvia |
| 39 | Liechtenstein |
| 40 | Lithuania |
| 41 | Luxembourg |
| 42 | Macedonia |
| 43 | Malta |
| 44 | Marshall Islands |
| 45 | Mexico |
| 46 | Moldova |
| 47 | Monaco |
| 48 | Mongolia |
| 49 | Montenegro |
| 50 | Myanmar |
| 51 | Nauru |
| 52 | Netherland |
| 53 | New Zealand |
| 54 | Norway |
| 55 | Palau |
| 56 | Panama |
| 57 | Papua New Guinea |
| 58 | Peru |
| 59 | Philippines |
| 60 | Poland |
| 61 | Portugal |
| 62 | Qatar |
| 63 | Romania |
| 64 | Russia |
| 65 | Samoa |
| 66 | San Marino |
| 67 | Serbia |
| 68 | Slovakia |
| 69 | Slovenia |
| 70 | Solomon Islands |
| 71 | Spain |
| 72 | Sweden |
| 73 | Switzerland |
| 74 | Timor Leste |
| 75 | United Arab Emirates |
| 76 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 77 | United States of America |
| 78 | Uruguay |
| 79 | Vanuatu |
| 80 | Venezuela |
Different Ways for Vietnam Visa Application
There are 2 ways you can choose to apply for Vietnam Visa. It all depends on your situation to pick an easier way. And at each choice, there are similar documents you need to prepare, just a slight difference in procedure.
Vietnam Visa Requirements for Application
In anyways, there are the least requirements of documents that you must prepare prior to applying:
- A passport with at least 6-month validity. It needs to have 2 blank pages to get the Vietnam approval sign stamped. A temporary passport won’t be accepted.
- 2 photos (4x6cm) of you without glasses which were taken within 6 months.
- Fee for proceeding. $25 for single entry, and $50 for multiple entry.
Procedure for Applying at the Embassy of Vietnam
Honestly, if you are living near the Embassy of Vietnam, this will be your better choice. Your visa and all the documents are ready for you to enter Vietnam without costing you time at entry. Here is what you should do:
- So you will take your passport, and photos to go to the nearby Vietnam Embassy to fill out the application form, and pay for the process fee. You have to leave your passport there.
- It will take you about 5 business days to proceed with the visa. Even you pass or not, the result and your passport will be sent back to you.
- If you pass, congratulations! Then, you just need to carry your passport, with your Vietnam visa already there, to go on the plane flying to the country.
- Certainly, you will need to fill out another entry form when you arrive. But there is no need for another procedure like a visa on arrival that may cost you time in the entry of Vietnam.
- Enjoy your trip to the beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, or sacred temples and pagodas in Vietnam!
Procedure for Applying E-Visa Online
Many people choose this way as it’s significantly convenient. Indeed, in this way, you can do a Vietnam visa application anywhere with your laptop and an internet connection. In case you choose this way, here are the steps you will take:
- Access to the online form at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
- Fill out all of the information on the form and submit it.
- After reviewing the form again, you need to pay a $25 fee.
- Your application will be processed in 3 business days. Then, the result would be announced on the official website https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-ho-so.
You will need your registration email, code, and date of birth for checking.
If you are approved, you will have a Visa approval letter. You should print it out and keep it in your passport, alongside the pictures. The customs will check those documents and provide you with a Vietnam visa on arrival stamped right in your passport when you land in the country.
Vietnam Visa Exemption
Moreover, if you are in the below list of exempted nations from the application for a Vietnam visa. The expense you need to pay for the application is zero. According to the electronic portal on consular affairs, here is the exemption list of entry visas of Vietnam:
| No. | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Chile, (maximum 30 days) |
| 2 | Philippines (maximum 21 days) |
| 3 | Brunei, Myanmar ( maximum 14 days) |
| 4 | Belarus, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the UK (maximum 15 days) |
About Vietnam Visa Extension
Unquestionably, you can extend your visa for a longer stay in Vietnam. This would grant you more time in the country to explore more as a tourist, or to settle your business as a businessman. Extended time length and cost will depend on your original visa. Actually, it’s not a hassle process. You can even do it yourself, or find an agency to do so.
Here is the address of the Immigration Office in Vietnam where you can come to extend your visa:
- Ho Chi Minh City – 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3
- Da Nang – 78 Le Loi, Thach Thang, Hai Chau District
- Hanoi – 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
You can come to those offices during their working hours on Monday – Friday from 7:00 – 11:30 in the morning and 13:30 – 17:00 in the afternoon. Also, don’t forget to bring your passport with the original Vietnam visa, and some cash for a faster process.
Notes about Vietnam Visa
– Remember to fully check the info filled in your registration before submitting it. If there is any missing or incorrect/unidentified information, your application will not be accepted.
– In the case of being refused, the payment will not be refunded.
– Remember to keep the approval letter in your mind before going to Vietnam. It’s better to keep it with the passport, so you will not forget the letter. Without the letter, you are not allowed to enter Vietnam. Furthermore, the process of solving this problem might destroy your trip! So in case you miss anything, just wish it’s not the approval letter.
– If you want an agency to help you with this, I suggest you try the service of iVisa to support you in getting a Vietnam visa. They have good service at a reasonable price and a quick time.
– Finally, extend your visa if you plan to spend more time in Vietnam. Please don’t overstay. Otherwise, you will be on the blacklist of the Immigration Office.
Updated Hot News You Should Know
– As part of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, foreigners, who enter Vietnam after Mar 1, 2020, will be automatically extended visas until Jun 30, 2020. They can depart from Vietnam without any needed paperwork for a visa extension.
– Besides that, those who enter Vietnam prior to Mar 1, 2020, will need proof of being stranded by COVID-19 for the automatic visa extension. Documents must be confirmed by the Diplomatic missions as you undergo a quarantine, treatment, or any reason related to the Coronavirus. Additionally, you need to show those documents when departure from Vietnam.
– On top of that, as being in a good situation after fighting against the Coronavirus pandemic, the Vietnam government has issued an announcement that Vietnam will reopen the e-visa for the citizens of 80 nations, starting on 1/7/2020. What a piece of great news, isn’t it?! Thus, let’s kick off your journey by visiting Vietnam after the Coronavirus.
‘PIN IT’ NOW TO SAVE YOUR INFO ABOUT VIETNAM VISA
Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
34 Comments
-
-
Khoi Nguyen
I’m so happy that you seemed to like this post a lot for your reference. Thank you a lot for your comment!
-
-
-
Khoi Nguyen
Thanks a lot for your comment!
-
-
Surekha
Oh wow! You really covered all the bases. This is going to make the visa process so much easier!
-
Khoi Nguyen
Do you like the post and find it helpful for you?
-
-
Nicole Anderson
I have really enjoyed visiting Vietnam in the past as it is a beautiful country with very friendly people. Lovely to know that Vietnam will be welcoming visitors back having relaxed the recent COVID 19 restrictions. Following your advice here would certainly be helpful for those incoming tourists, especially those visiting for the first time.
-
Khoi Nguyen
I’m glad that you enjoyed traveling to my country in the past. Yes Vietnam is opening for international tourists soon. And welcome you to the country again!
-
-
TheSuperMomLife
I didn’t realize that you needed a visa to travel to Vietnam. I hope to go there one day so this is great information.
-
Khoi Nguyen
Yeah you may need a Vietnam visa to enter the country. Nevertheless, a lot of countries are on the list of visa exemption so check your case first
-
-
The JOYOUS Living | Influencer (@thejoyousliving)
thanks for adding the updated information since the coronavirus breakout. good to know.
-
Khoi Nguyen
You’re welcomed! 🙂
I’m gonna update more on my blog. You can subscribe it to be announced with the latest updates
-
-
Olivia Robins
this is such a great guide , i also did not realise that so many countries need to apply for a visa to visit Vietnam kind regards
-
Khoi Nguyen
Yeah just check if you are on the list of Vietnam visa exemption before application. That could save your time.
-
-
Subhashish Roy
Thank you for this very informative post. Vietnam is in my plan for later this year as the coronavirus scenario is relatively in control there.This came at an opportune moment as I need not do any research now.
-
Khoi Nguyen
Vietnam is currently planning to open for international tourists. I hope the country will be able to welcome you soon
-
-
-
Khoi Nguyen
Sorry I don’t get your concern clearly. Could you clarify that?
-
-
ashley
Would love to visit Vietnam one day. Thank you for the detailed information.
-
Khoi Nguyen
You’re welcomed!
-
-
Marie
You have done an excellent job of showing exactly what needs to be done to procure a Vietnam visa. This will be super helpful for anyone to needs it.
-
Khoi Nguyen
Thanks a lot for your comment! I understand the problems anyone could face when doing paperwork. Therefore, I try my best to give all the needed info for my audience, people who love reading my blog
-
-
WritesandBlogs
Thats a good detailed useful post. Full of all the requisite information. I had done once a project researching the visa requirements of different countries. I can relate to your post.
-
Khoi Nguyen
I appreciate a lot for that. I will update all the info if there are anything changes in the procedure or documents. Thanks for relating my post!
-
-
Ave Hla
What a detailed guide! I haven’t had to apply for a visa for ages. It’s good to know that both Spain and Estonia are in the approved countries list, as I really hope to visit Vietnam one day.
-
Khoi Nguyen
You must be in a very great country to travel internationally without applying for a visa, fortunately.
I have to do it most of the time
-
-
emman damian
Great visa guide! Fortunately since my country is part of the ASEAN, we don’t need visa for short stay to Vietnam!
-
Khoi Nguyen
Yeah ASEAN people are always welcomed to Vietnam!
-
-
emily
This is good to know if you didnt already! I went to Vietnam a few years back and luckily our travel agent advised us of visas and stuff
-
Khoi Nguyen
Yes, the travel agent is always supportive to help you getting a visa. Have you tried the service of iVisa yet?
-
-
-
Khoi Nguyen
Thanks a lot for your comment!
-
-
James
Wow, this article provided such clear and helpful information about applying for a Vietnam visa – definitely saving it for my future trip planning!
-
Khoi Nguyen
Welcome to Vietnam!
-
Jessica Collazo
If I ever have to travel to Vietnam I have to use this blog for reference. You are so detailed and informative with this post is amazing thank you so much for this help.