Visa for Vietnam

Acquiring a visa for Vietnam simply adds to our reasons of why this destination is a must-visit. After all, a fairly effortless process just makes it easier for tourists. The visa application for Vietnam differs from country to country, but is an overall simple procedure.

While certain countries are visa exempt for certain timeframes, other countries are required to apply for a $25 e-visa. Read on to know more about obtaining a visa for Vietnam, and the interesting Phu Quoc island visa exemption.  

24 countries, including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK, are visa-exempt for a trip to Vietnam depending on the duration of the trip. However, the rules change if you plan on returning to Vietnam within 30 days after your stay. In this case, you will be required to apply for an e-visa irrespective of how long you intend on staying for. 

Vietnam visa update: 2020

The world has been brought to a grinding halt due to Covid-19, and unfortunately, all our travel plans are on hold. The Vietnamese government has put into place a number of precautions to arrest the spread of the virus in their country. One of these includes new and hopefully temporary visa regulations.

COVID-19 VISA UPDATE: July 1, 2020

The temporary suspension of visas and entry for all foreign nationals that came into place on March 22 is still in effect. This is including those who already hold visas or visa exemptions. Only Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers allowed to enter the country at this time. Anyone entering Vietnam must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival. They will be closely monitored.

Drop us a line and we will keep you updated as and when Vietnam welcomes international tourists again.

E-Visa for Vietnam

Applying for an e-visa for Vietnam is a quick and effortless process. All it takes is filling up a form, uploading a photo and passport scan, and paying $25 online. You will have a wait of up to 3 days while being able to check its status online. You get an email upon approval with a login where you can download a PDF of your visa. Print this and carry it along with you when you enter Vietnam.

The entire process is fairly simple, and the visa application form for Vietnam is barely even a page long. You can stay for upto 30 days in Vietnam with this visa, and have entry at every international airport. This also applies to several land border points too, like coming in from Cambodia. Make sure to also print out your travel insurance; immigration will ask for this document to check if your insurance covers you in the case of an illness or injury during your stay.

Pre-Arranged Visa on Arrival

The process to get a pre-arranged visa on arrival is a bit more complex. A travel agent can get you a visa approval letter which then grants you a visa on arrival. An immigration department in Vietnam will have to stamp your approval letter. Additionally, the visa on arrival will only be given to you at Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh airports. You will have to pay a fee to the agent as well as a fee upon arrival.

A visa on arrival is also now available when crossing the Mộc Bài international border gate between Cambodia and Vietnam. It costs USD $25 for a single entry and requires the original approval letter that is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Comparing the effort taken and costs incurred to the e-visa process, applying for a visa on arrival is not always worth it. Only apply when your stay is between 30 days and 3 months, and you are sure of the validity of your letter of approval. You can easily find many agents online who will do it.

However, always be wary of online scammers who could provide fake approval letters. All of this taken into consideration, we highly recommend sticking to the e-visa and avoiding this method altogether.

Offline procedure- Embassy

For visits of longer than 30 days you can get a visa from the nearest Vietnamese embassy before travelling to Vietnam. You can get visas applicable to single entry, multi-entry as well as for a stay lasting up to 12 months.

These facilities are also available at the embassies of Vietnam in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. However it is wise to plan in advance, as it takes at least 48 hours to get it. If you have the time but are unsure of how to plan your trip, read up on a few itineraries.

We’ve covered Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam so you get some inspiration.

Visa Extensions for Vietnam

If you overstay by only 2 days, there’s no need to contact the Immigration office. Instead, you will need to pay the fine at the airport upon exiting, which is about VND 500,000 (~$23 US) per day. However, it is also possible to obtain a visa extension without having to exit Vietnam.

There are two ways to do this: through Vietnam Immigration Departments, or through a travel agency. Take note- the visa processing time Vietnam takes is anywhere between 5 to 10 days. Hence, we recommend applying for an extension at least a week before your visa expires.

The Phu Quoc visa exemption

An interesting aspect of travel to Vietnam is the Phu Quoc island visa waiver. Everyone enjoys a visa exemption, provided you take a direct flight in and out of Phu Quoc without travelling in Vietnam before or after. Despite being geographically part of Vietnam, the 30-day Phu Quoc visa exemption can’t be used for any onward travel elsewhere in Vietnam.

You will be required to get a Vietnamese visa from the Phu Quoc Immigration Office for the same. However, if you visit another country after Phu Quoc before travelling to mainland Vietnam at a later date, you’re allowed to apply for a 15-day visa waiver on your return to Vietnam. 

There is plenty of information available on the Vietnam visa application online, and multiple other sites like myvietnamvisa.com giving out further help. However, if you’re looking for any travel help, you can sure bet on us! Make sure you have other necessities like Vietnamese currency, cost of travel and the best times to visit all sorted out. Click on ‘Plan Your Trip’ right away to get started. The process to obtain a visa for Vietnam may seem overwhelming, but follow our guidelines and you’ll do fine.