Getting the Vietnam Visa online is easier than you may think.
It was in February 2017 when Vietnam started its e-Visa program with the aim of simplifying the process of getting into the country. Before then, if you wanted to travel to Vietnam, you’d need an approval letter and you’d get a visa on arrival.
Nowadays, citizens of 83 countries can apply to get their Vietnam Visa online. If you are a citizen of these countries, you don’t need to visit any embassy – everything is done electronically.
You will have to show your visa before boarding your flight, and once you land to the immigration officer. This is a single entry document that allows you to stay in the country for no more than 30 days.
In this post, I explain everything you need to know about the Vietnam e-Visa, and – should you still require a Vietnam Visa on arrival, how to apply for that.
First of all, let me clarify which kind of Visa you should be applying for.
Should I Get A Vietnam Visa Online Or A Vietnam Visa On Arrival?
Good question. Whether you get a Vietnam e-Visa or a Visa on arrival depends on whether you require multiple entries or if you want to stay in the country for more than 30 days.
If you are going just once, not going in and out of the country and planning to stay for up to 30 days, go for the Vietnam Visa online.
If you are hoping to go in and of the country multiple times (ie when you are on a longer trip around South East Asia) and / or would like to stay for more than 30 days, you should apply for the Vietnam Visa On Arrival – you will need to fly via one of the 5 international airports where the this can be issued.
Vietnam Visa Online Questions And Answers
How much does it cost?
The Vietnam Visa online costs $25 USD. To this, you have to add a service fee for the processing, which is of $25 USD.
For more information on the fees check out this page.
How long is the visa valid for?
The visa is valid for 30 days since our arrival in the country. It is a single entry visa. You will be able to stay for a total of 30 days.
Which nationalities are eligible to apply for it?
Among others, citizens of the following countries can apply for the Vietnam Visa online:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and United States.
Do I have to enter Vietnam from a specific place?
You can enter Vietnam from a variety of places – international airports, landports and seaports.
Chances are you will be flying into Vietnam. Most travelers land at either Noi Bai Int Airport (Ha Noi), Tan Son Nhat Int Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang International Airport, of Phu Quoc International Airport. You can find the complete list of airports here.
If you are arriving from a landport, you may be getting in from Cha Lo Landport, Lao Cai Landport, Nam Can Landport among others.
If you are on a cruise, you may be getting in via one of these seaports: Chan May, Da Nang, Duong Dong, Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Vang Tau, Quy Nhon.
What do I need in order to apply?
These are the documents you will need to submit with your application:
- A valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Vietnam)
- A credit or debit card
- In alternative, you need to have a Paypal account
- A scan copy of your passport (bio page)
- A digital passport photo
What conditions must my passport meet for the Vietnam e-Visa?
Your passport has to be valid for a minimum of 30 days beyond the visa expiry date. You need to make sure it has at least two blank pages.
So for example, if you enter Vietnam today and your visa expires 30 days from today, your passport must be valid for another 60 days.
How long does it take to obtain an e-Visa?
This really varies based on the kind of processing time you pick.
If you go for the standard processing time, you will get your Visa within 3 business day.
For more information on the processing time check out this page.
Can I extend my stay in the country beyond what the e-Visa permits?
You can, but this is a bit tricky. You will have to go to an agency, organization or individual that will sponsor your stay in Vietnam and they will have to apply for a new visa for your via the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Does the online visa allow multiple entries?
No. You can only enter once. If you leave the country, you will have to apply for another visa if you want to visit again.
Am I required to enter Vietnam on the exact date specified in my application?
You don’t have to. The Visa is valid from the specified date of approval and you can enter at any day within that period. You will have to leave once the Visa expires.
Summary Information
Make sure to make a note of the following information, as it is important to guarantee a pleasant stay in Vietnam.
- The Vietnam Visa online is a single entry visa.
- It is valid for no more than 30 days from the proposed date of entry that you suggest during the application.
- You can stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days.
- You must have a passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date you plan to enter the country.
- If you need a renewal after 30 days, you have to get sponsored / invited by an authority, organization or individual in Vietnam. This is in accordance with the law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence in Vietnam.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after arrival in the country. It must have at least two blank pages for a stamp/sticker from the immigration control officer.
- If you are a minor but you have your own passport, you still have to complete a full application. Minors who are 14 or younger and are included on their parent’s passport must apply for an e-Visa with their parents.
- You must carry a copy of your e-Visa during your stay in Vietnam.
Looking To Stay Longer In Vietnam? Get The Vietnam Visa On Arrival
The Vietnam Visa on arrival is only available for people who intend to travel to Vietnam by air. If you want to cross the border via land, you will need to apply for the e-Visa.
To get it, you must first have an approval letter for entry into Vietnam. You will get the visa once you actually arrive, and pay a visa stamping fee which is of $25 USD for a single entry, or $50 USD for multiple entries.
On your Visa on Arrival letter you may see other travelers’ names listed. You don’t need to worry about it. It happens because the government approves the letters in batches.
This kind of visa is valid for either 30 or 90 days from the day you get into the country, depending on which option you pick during the application process.
You can get an extension of stay once you are already in Vietnam, but this isn’t an easy process so if you feel you may want to stay in the country longer, apply for the 90 days Visa.
Vietnam Visa On Arrival Questions And Answers
What do I need to apply?
You need to fill in the online form and provide any additional documents requested. Click here to find out what you need to submit.
Once you enter Vietnam, you will need to present the following documentation:
- Approval letter – you can get it here.
- A valid passport – must be valid for at least 6-months from the date you enter Vietnam and have at least 2 blank pages for stamping
- 2 passport-sized photos
- The entry/exit form which is provided by the airline
- The Visa stamping fee, which has to be paid in cash ($25 USD for the single entry, $50 USD for multiple entries).
How long will it take to process my Visa on Arrival?
Standard processing will take 3 business days.
How much does the approval cost?
The cost of getting a Visa on arrival approval depends on the number of entries and length of stay you require.
The following is a breakdown of the costs:
The eVisa on Arrival for 30 days, with single entry will cost you $12 USD for the government fee, plus a $35 USD service fee for iVisa.
The eVisa on Arrival for 90 days, with single entry will cost you $25 USD for the government fee, plus a $35 USD service fee for iVisa.
The eVisa on Arrival for 30 days with multiple entry will cost you $14 USD for the government fee, plus a $35 USD service fee for iVisa.
The eVisa on Arrival for 90 days and will multiple entry will cost you $36 USD for the government fee, plus a $35 USD service fee for iVisa.
Once you arrive in Vietnam you will also be asked to pay a stamping fee of $25 USD for single-entry visas and $50 USD for multiple-entry visas.
Should I opt for a single entry or multiple entries visa?
Whether you pick a single or multiple entry visa really depends on what you intend to do. If you are only visiting Vietnam during your trip, opt for the single entry visa. If you know you will cross the border into Laos or Cambodia and then get back to Vietnam, it’s better if you opt for a multiple-entry visa.
What documents do I need?
The following are the necessary documents to apply for the Vietnam Visa on arrival:
- Passport. It must have at least 6 months of validity.
- A credit or debit card. Alternatively, you will need a PayPal account.
Upon entering Vietnam, you will need to show the following documents:
- A printed copy of the entry permit form – this is the Vietnam pre-approval letter.
- Two passport size photos
- A valid passport
- Enough cash to pay for the visa stamping fee. Once you get to immigration, you will be asked to pay for an additional visa fee. The stamping fee is $25 USD for single entry visa (whether you get the 30 days or 90 days one) and $50 USD for multiple entry visa (whether you get the 30 days or 90 days one).
Summary Information
This is a summary of what you need to know and have in order to get a Vietnam Visa on arrival:
- The visa is only available to those flying into Vietnam. When you get to the airport, you will be asked to fill some documents to get your passport stamped.
- You can get it at one of the country’s international airports: Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi; Da Nang; Hai Phong; Nha Trang.
- You must have a passport valid for at least six months after your indicated arrival date in Vietnam.
- You must carry two passport size photos.
- You will be requested to pay a stamping fee on arrival. This is of $25 USD for single entry visa (both 30 and 90 days kind) and $50 USD for multiple entry visa (both 30 and 90 days kind).
- Make sure to provide the earliest intended date of arrival – you can still fly into the country at a later date.
- Your departure date if going to be the last day you are allowed to stay in the country, unless you ask for an extension of your visa.
Further Readings
Make sure to read my other posts about Vietnam:
- 33 Incredibly Fun Things To Do In Vietnam In 15 Days
- 17 Fun And Unmissable Things To Do In Hanoi
- 13 Great Day Trips From Hanoi
- 15 Things To Do In Saigon In Just 3 Days
- The Best Vietnam Travel Tips
- The Best Things To Do In Hoi An
- The Best Things To Do In Sapa
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