We will explain in detail in this article the procedure for obtaining a visa as specified in the new law passed by the National Assembly on June 24, 2023.
Feel free to contact us to help plan your trip to Vietnam.
Visa exemption for 45 days
In addition to nationals from Chile and Panama (90 days) and ASEAN countries (between 14 and 30 days depending on the country), Vietnam has implemented in recent years a visa exemption for a few other countries.
Whereas the previous duration was 15 days, it has now been extended to 45 days since August 15, 2023. This applies to the following countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Nationals of all these countries therefore do not need a visa to travel to Vietnam for up to 45 days.
Here are a few questions you might be asking yourself:
# Do you need to have a ticket to leave Vietnam? Yes. If you are traveling under the 45-day visa exemption, you must have with you a ticket to leave the country. This can be a return plane ticket to your home country or a ticket to another country of your choice. It can also be a bus ticket to a neighboring country such as Cambodia or Laos.
# Can I combine visa exemptions? Yes, it is currently possible to leave Vietnam and then reapply for a new 45-day exemption. There is no mandatory waiting period between two exemptions. For example, a traveler wishing to continue exploring southern Vietnam can spend a few days in Cambodia and then return to Vietnam under the 45-day exemption. However, caution is advised: after 3 or 4 “visa runs” without a real stay outside Vietnam, there is a risk of refusal, whether for the 45-day exemption or for an e-visa.
# Is it possible to overstay without consequences? Of course, we strongly advise against taking this risk. The penalties for overstaying your authorized stay (Article 18 of Decree 144/2021/NĐ-CP on sanctions in the field of security) are as follows:
Less than 16 days: between 500,000 and 2,000,000 VND
From 16 days to less than 30 days: between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 VND
From 30 days to less than 60 days: between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 VND
From 60 days to less than 90 days: between 10,000,000 and 15,000,000 VND
90 days or more: between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000 VND
# Is it possible to extend your stay with an e-visa while benefiting from the exemption? No. Even though you can apply for an e-visa during your stay in Vietnam, you must leave the country in order to use it. This way, the online invitation letter (see below) will be transformed into a valid visa upon your new entry into Vietnam.
A 90-Day Single or Multiple Entry Visa
For all travelers from countries not benefiting from Vietnam’s visa exemption policy, it is necessary to apply for an e-visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days. This procedure also applies to citizens of the 13 exempted countries who wish to stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days.
# Who can apply for a tourist visa? Currently, citizens of all nationalities can apply for a visa to enter Vietnam. However, the requirements vary depending on the country:
For certain countries (Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Pakistan, Libya, etc.), the conditions are even stricter: the visa costs between $100 and $200, depending on nationality, and the itinerary must be submitted in detail to the Vietnamese authorities.
For 80 countries (see list below), it is possible to apply online for an e-visa at a cost of $25.
For other nationalities (notably Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), applications must be made through the Vietnamese embassy in the respective country, and the visa costs $60 per person.
# Can it be renewed? No, it is no longer possible to renew a tourist visa while in Vietnam. You must leave the country to obtain a new 90-day visa. This rule also applies to those who initially benefit from a visa exemption. As mentioned earlier, you must leave Vietnam to either renew your 45-day exemption or apply for a 30-day e-visa.
# Do I need to have a return ticket in advance? Unlike the visa exemption, it is not necessary to book your departure ticket from Vietnam in advance. You can purchase a plane or bus ticket on site to the country of your choice. From there, you will be able to apply for a new visa.
# Can I renew it multiple times? Currently, there are no restrictions on renewing the visa. However, you also have the option to choose a multiple-entry visa.
# How much do visas cost? A single-entry 90-day visa costs 25 USD, while a multiple-entry visa costs 50 USD.
# Can you overstay by a few days past the expiry date? Yes — it’s technically possible, but you would be staying illegally. When you leave the country you will have to pay the penalties mentioned earlier (for the exemption):
Less than 16 days: between 500,000 and 2,000,000 VND
From 16 days to less than 30 days: between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 VND
From 30 days to less than 60 days: between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 VND
From 60 days to less than 90 days: between 10,000,000 and 15,000,000 VND
90 days or more: between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000 VND
# How to obtain it? For those eligible to apply online, this is the fastest and easiest method. You can also apply through the Vietnamese embassy in your home country, but this process takes much longer. Vietnam has set up an online service, so it’s worth taking advantage of it.
# Can a Travel Agency Obtain It for You? Before the Covid-19 crisis, travel agencies could request an invitation letter on your behalf, which would then be converted into a visa upon arrival in Vietnam. However, this is no longer possible. Travelers must now follow the official e-visa procedure themselves to enter the country.
The e-Visa Procedure for Vietnam in Detail
For citizens of the 80 countries eligible for the e-visa, we strongly recommend completing the procedure online. Here’s a handy guide to help you obtain your entry permit with ease.
Who is eligible for the e-visa?
There are 80 eligible countries. Here is the complete list of these countries.
The website to apply for your e-visa
Here is the link to the page where you can start your e-visa application.
Attention, c’est l’unique site officiel !
Entry points into Vietnam with an e-visa
| Airports | By land | By sea |
| Cat Bi Int Airport (Hai Phong) | Bo Y | Chan May |
| Cam Ranh Int Airport (Khanh Hoa) | Cha Lo | Da Nang |
| Can Tho International Airport | Cau Treo | Duong Dong |
| Da Nang International Airport | Huu Nghi | Hon Gai Seaport |
| Noi Bai Int Airport (Hanoi) | Ha Tien | Hai Phong |
| Phu Bai Int Airport | Lao Bao | Nha Trang |
| Tan Son Nhat Int Airport (HCMV) | Lao Cai | Quy Nhon |
| La Lay | Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Moc Bai | Vung Tau | |
| Mong Cai | ||
| Nam Can | ||
| Na Meo | ||
| Song Tien | ||
| Tinh Bien | ||
| Tay Trang | ||
| Xa Mat |
Documents required to obtain an e-visa
# A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Vietnam. The passport must also have at least 2 blank pages;
# A passport-style photo (4×6 cm) taken within the last 6 months;
# A PDF file of your passport’s main page and your photo;
# A valid bank card to pay the $25/$50 fee on the website (American Express cards are not accepted)
How to obtain it in practice: the procedure on the Vietnamese government portal
Access the official website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Then select E-visa > For foreigners.
You must check “Confirmation of reading carefully instructions and having completed application”, then click “Next.”
Upload your photo (4×6 cm) and the main page of your passport (which you should have previously scanned and saved as a PDF).
Next, fill out the application form
- Full name
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Current nationality
- Religion
- Passport Number
- Type of passport
- Expiry date
- Intended length of stay
- Intended temporary residential address in Vietnam
- Date of entry
- Entry gate
- Exit date
- Contact details: Email, phone
Here are a few clarifications:
Photo: It must be a 4×6 cm passport-style photo (preferably taken at a photo booth or by a professional photographer).
Vietnam address: Enter the address of your first hotel.
Invitation letter: You don’t need an invitation letter. Some nationalities require a letter from an agency, but this is notnecessary for European or Canadian citizens.
Children under 14: If your child has their own passport, they need to apply like an adult. This only applies if the child is listed on a parent’s passport (usually very young children).
Entry and exit: Enter your planned dates of entry and exit from Vietnam, along with your port of entry (airport). The visa will be issued based on your entry date. Since you must have a departure ticket to obtain the visa, make sure to provide the correct date and airport.
Before submitting:
Double-check all the information carefully, then submit your application. You will receive a code—make sure to keep it safe. Write it down somewhere you won’t lose it.
Pay the visa fee (25 or 50 USD).
About 3 days later, go to the “e-visa search” section at the top of the website (next to “home”). Enter your code, email, date of birth, and the Captcha numbers you see.
You’ll then be redirected to a page where your e-visa letter will appear. Print it or download it—this is the document you’ll present when entering Vietnam. The immigration officer will convert it into your official visa on arrival.
The e-visa
This is what the document looks like that you will receive after applying for your e-visa:
Cost and Processing Time
As mentioned earlier, the cost of a single-entry 90-day e-visa is $25 per person, while a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50. If your application is rejected or contains incorrect information due to your own mistake, no refund will be provided.
You will receive your e-visa approval letter within three working days. However, during national holidays, this processing time may be longer. We recommend submitting your application at least two weeks before your departure date.
Can it be extended?
It is currently not possible to extend an e-visa while in Vietnam. You must leave the country and reapply for a visa following the same procedure outlined above.
E-visa for Vietnam – Summary
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Vietnam (whether you are traveling under the visa exemption or using an e-visa). It must also have at least 2 blank pages.
- The e-visa costs $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa, and it is non-refundable, so you must be very careful when filling out the application form.
- You must wait a minimum of 3 working days to receive the e-visa approval letter on the portal.
- In the form, you must indicate your point of entry into Vietnam. You will not be allowed to enter through a different location. If you need to change your entry point, you must apply for a new visa.
- You can only apply for one person at a time—group applications are not allowed.
- The e-visa cannot be extended while you are in Vietnam. To stay longer, you must leave the country and then apply for a new visa from another country.
That’s it—you now know everything about the visa application process for Vietnam!
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