How to Get a Visa for Vietnam

There are two (02) essential steps that you should follow to save your cost and time if you are planning to have a trip to Vietnam.

Check if your​ ​nationality​ ​is​ ​included​ ​in​ ​​the Vietnam​ ​visa​ ​exemption​ ​list.

With open policy to attract more travelers to Vietnam, the Vietnam Government has granted Vietnam visa exemption to citizens of some particular countries, as such those travelers do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for specific periods.

Click here to see the Vietnam visa exemption list.

Check how to get a visa for Vietnam.

If​ ​your​ ​nationality​ ​is​ ​NOT​ ​INCLUDED​ ​in​ ​the Visa Waiver​ ​list,​ ​or you are a​ ​citizen​ ​of​ ​the ​countries mentioned​ earlier and wish​ ​to stay​ ​in​ ​Vietnam​ ​for​ ​more​ ​than​ ​granted​ ​exemption​ ​days,​ you need a visa for Vietnam. In this case, you may have up to 02 ways as follows to get a visa to Vietnam.

But before application, make sure that:

• Your passport is valid for at least 06 months following your date of entry into Vietnam;
• Your passport has at least 02 blank pages for visa and immigration stamps.
• Other required documents will depend on the type of Vietnam visa you choose to apply.

Now, let’s go in details.

1. Apply for Vietnam Visa at Local Embassy

This​ ​method​ ​should​ ​be​ ​applicable to​ ​those:

• Whose​ ​travel​ ​plan​ ​is​ ​to​ ​arrive​ ​in​ ​Vietnam​ ​by​ ​land/sea/air
• Who​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​a​ ​fully​ ​stamped​ ​visa​ ​before​ ​departure​ ​to​ ​Vietnam

Detailed​ ​instructions​ ​and​ ​procedures​ ​of​ how to get a ​visa​ for Vietnam​ ​​are often​ ​not published​ ​by​ ​Vietnam Embassies.​ ​Some embassies accept visa applications directly from applicants, and some accept them submitted via a local center. You​ ​should​ ​directly contact​ ​​​nearest​ ​Vietnam​ ​Embassy​ ​or​ ​Vietnam​ ​Consulate​ ​for more​ ​information.

The requirements may vary by embassy; however, to help you have an overview of applying for Vietnam visa at the embassy, we will show you some common requirements of embassies:

For a tourist visa, you need to prepare:

• Original passport: have at least 6 months of validation following your arrival date to Vietnam. A copy of the passport is required for people requesting a loose-leaf visa.
• Application form: download on the website of the embassy or take it right at the embassy.
• One (01) passport photo: taken recently and without glasses. For a loose-leaf visa, please prepare 01 extra photos.
• Mail service: if you wish to get your passport back by post (USPS and FedEx is recommended), please prepare a return envelope which is self-addressed and prepaid.
• Visa fees: depends on the visa type you apply for; must be company check, cashier’s check, or money order. If you go to the embassy directly, cash is also accepted.

For business visa: a sponsor letter from your company or sponsor agency in Vietnam is required. Sometimes, a visa approval letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department is required. The processing time may be 03- 05 working days.

2. Apply  Vietnam Visa On Arrival

 

An alternative way to get a visa for Vietnam online is to pick up the visa on arrival at Vietnam international airports after applying online for an approval letter. To get it, please follow these steps:

• Complete an online application form to get pre-approved visa letter;
• Get the approval letter via email within 02 working days (with normal service), and 02-03 working hours (with urgent service);
• Board the plane and show the visa approval letter, entry and exit form, 2 passport-sized photos 4x6cm, original passport and pay visa stamping fee (in cash) to the Immigration officials upon arrival at Vietnam airports to get visa stamped on your passport.

Note: Visa on arrival is applied for Air Travel only.