Vietnam Visa Policy
Vietnam's visa policy is centered on two primary methods for international tourists: the online E-Visa and unilateral visa exemption. The E-Visa system is the standard, most flexible option, allowing travelers to secure a 90-day, multiple-entry visa entirely online through a single, official government portal. The process requires gathering specific digital documents, completing an online form, and receiving an approval letter via email. For citizens of select countries, a visa exemption allows for a shorter stay without any pre-arrival application. Following the correct procedure ensures a straightforward and predictable entry into Vietnam.
Do You Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Find your situation below to see the rules that apply to you.
Group 1: Visa Exemption Holders.
- Citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea, among others, can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. See the full list and conditions below.
Group 2: Phu Quoc Island Visitors.
- All international travelers, regardless of nationality, can enter Phu Quoc Island directly from a foreign country and stay for up to 30 days without a visa. This special exemption only applies to Phu Quoc and not mainland Vietnam.
Group 3: E-Visa Eligible.
- Citizens of all countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and all Schengen Area nations, are eligible to apply online for a 90-day tourist E-Visa. This method covers the vast majority of international travelers visiting mainland Vietnam.
Group 4: Embassy Application Required.
- In rare cases, citizens of countries not eligible for the E-Visa or visa exemption must apply for a traditional visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their home country. This is not common for tourists.
Visa Exemption: Who Can Enter Vietnam Without a Visa?
This policy allows citizens from a specific list of countries to enter and stay in Vietnam for a limited duration without needing to apply for any type of visa beforehand.
Eligible Nationalities & Stay Duration
- 90 Days: ๐จ๐ฑ Chile
- 45 Days: ๐ง๐ช Belgium, ๐ง๐ฌ Bulgaria, ๐ญ๐ท Croatia, ๐จ๐ฟ Czechia, ๐ญ๐บ Hungary, ๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg, ๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands, ๐ต๐ฑ Poland, ๐ท๐ด Romania, ๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia, ๐ธ๐ฎ Slovenia, ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland, ๐ฉ๐ช Germany, ๐ซ๐ท France, ๐ฎ๐น Italy, ๐ช๐ธ Spain, ๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom, ๐ท๐บRussia, ๐ฏ๐ต Japan, ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea, ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark, ๐ธ๐ช Sweden, ๐ณ๐ด Norway, ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland and ๐ง๐พ Belarus.
- 30 Days: ๐น๐ญ Thailand, ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore, ๐ฒ๐พ Malaysia, ๐ฐ๐ญ Cambodia, ๐ฎ๐ฉ Indonesia, ๐ฑ๐ฆ Laos and ๐ฐ๐ฌ Kyrgyzstan.
- 21 Days: ๐ต๐ญ Philippines.
- 14 Days: ๐ง๐ณ Brunei and ๐ฒ๐ฒ Myanmar.
โ ๏ธ This list is subject to change. Always confirm with an official Vietnamese embassy or the visa portal before your trip.
Conditions & Rules
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- The day count starts from your actual date of entry. You must depart Vietnam on or before the final day of your exemption period. For a 45-day exemption, if you enter on August 1st, you must leave on or before September 14th.
The E-Visa: The Best Choice for Most Travelers
The Vietnam E-Visa is the most popular and recommended option for tourists who are not eligible for a visa exemption or who wish to stay longer than the exemption allows. It is a 90-day, multiple-entry visa that allows travelers to enter and exit Vietnam as many times as they wish within that 90-day period. As of the latest update, citizens of all countries and territories can apply for an E-Visa.
How to Apply for the Vietnam E-Visa (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents:
- A digital passport photo (4x6 cm, white background, no glasses).
- A digital scan or clear photo of your passport's data page.
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your intended entry date.
Step 2: Visit the OFFICIAL Portal:
- Use the one and only official government website for E-Visa applications: https://evisa.gov.vn/
- Warning: Be cautious of unofficial sites that appear in search results. These are commercial agents that charge extra service fees. The official government site will have a .gov.vn domain.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form:
- Fill out all required information with extreme care. Your details must match your passport exactly. Pay close attention to your full name, date of birth, and passport number. Any discrepancies can lead to rejection.
Step 4: Pay the Processing Fee:
- The official fee is $25 USD for a single-entry visa or $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa. This fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.
Step 5: Wait for Approval & Download:
- The standard processing time is 3-5 business days, excluding weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.
- You will not always receive an email notification. You must return to the official portal to check your application status.
- Once approved, download the PDF of your E-Visa and save it.
Tips from locals
Local tips
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โ๏ธ When filling out the E-Visa form, enter your name exactly as it appears in the ICAO machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport's information page (the part with the <<< symbols). This avoids any confusion with the order of first, middle, and last names, which is a common reason for application errors.
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๐ The official processing time of 3-5 days refers to business days in Vietnam. Check the Vietnamese calendar for public holidays, especially around Tแบฟt (Lunar New Year), as these can significantly delay your application. Always apply at least two weeks before your intended travel date to be safe.
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โ๏ธ Your E-Visa is tied to the port of entry you select on your application (e.g., Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport). While immigration officers may show flexibility if you arrive at a different, approved port, it is not guaranteed. To avoid any risk of being denied entry, enter Vietnam through the checkpoint specified in your approved E-Visa.
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๐ก After submitting your application and paying the fee, the system will display a unique registration code. Immediately take a screenshot of this page or write the code down and save it in a secure place. Without this code, you have no way to check your visa status or download the approved document.
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Be aware
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๐ป The most common issue for travelers is using unofficial visa websites. These sites are designed to look like official government portals but will charge you high "service" or "processing" fees, sometimes up to four times the actual cost. The only official website is https://evisa.gov.vn/.
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โ The old "Visa on Arrival" system, which required a pre-approval letter from an agency, is no longer the standard or recommended method for tourists arriving by air. The E-Visa has replaced it as the official, more secure, and cheaper option. Avoid any services that heavily promote "Visa on Arrival" as you will be paying unnecessary agency fees.
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โ The E-Visa application system is automated and unforgiving of errors. A single mistyped digit in your passport number, an incorrect date of birth, or a name that doesn't perfectly match your passport will likely result in an automatic rejection. The application fee is non-refundable, so you will have to pay again when you reapply. Double-check every field before submitting.
FAQs
How much does the Vietnam E-Visa cost in 2025?
โThe official government fee for a Vietnam E-Visa is $25 USD for a single-entry visa and $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa, both valid for up to 90 days. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
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How long does it take to get a Vietnam E-Visa?
โThe standard processing time is 3 to 5 working days. However, it is highly recommended to apply at least 10-15 days before your departure to account for weekends, Vietnamese public holidays, or any potential delays.
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Can I extend my E-Visa while in Vietnam?โ
No, the 90-day E-Visa cannot be extended within Vietnam. To stay longer, you must exit the country before your visa expires and apply for a new E-Visa to re-enter.
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What happens if my E-Visa application is rejected?
โIf your application is rejected, you will not receive a refund. The most common reasons for rejection are incorrect information or a non-compliant photo. You must submit a new application and pay the fee again, ensuring all details are corrected.
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Do I need a printed copy of my E-Visa?
โYes, it is mandatory to have a printed physical copy of your E-Visa document. You will need to present it to the airline before boarding your flight and to the immigration officer upon arrival in Vietnam.
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Can I enter Vietnam from a different airport than the one on my E-Visa?
โIt is strongly advised to enter through the port of entry you listed on your application. While some travelers report success entering at a different approved checkpoint, this is at the discretion of the immigration officer and is not guaranteed.
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My passport expires in 5 months, can I still enter Vietnam?
โNo, Vietnam strictly enforces the rule that your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. You will be denied boarding by the airline or denied entry by immigration if your passport has less than six months of validity.
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What are the photo requirements for the E-Visa application?
โYou must provide a recent digital portrait photo in .jpg format. The photo must be taken against a plain white background, with your face clearly visible, looking straight ahead, and without wearing glasses.
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Is the "Visa on Arrival" still available for tourists?
โThe "Visa on Arrival" system is largely obsolete for tourism and has been replaced by the more efficient E-Visa. While technically still existing for specific business or emergency cases, the E-Visa is the standard, cheaper, and more secure method for all tourists arriving by air.
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What is the official website to apply for the Vietnam E-Visa?
โThe one and only official government portal for E-Visa applications is https://evisa.gov.vn/. Do not use any other third-party websites to avoid extra fees and potential scams.
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