All about visa to Vietnam

Visa to Vietnam - Information on Vietnamese visa formalities 

Before applying for a Vietnam visa, it is important to determine when and how long you will travel to Vietnam. The maximum valid duration of standard tourist visa is 30 days. You should ask for the maximum period of Vietnam visa to give you more flexibility and make sure that your visa is stamped with the correct dates, correct entry and exit points. Processing normally takes between a week and ten days (some embassies offer an express service for an extra fee), but longer for overseas Vietnamese. To be on the safe side, allow several weeks as mistakes are common and inexplicable delays often occur.

You can easily get the extended visa or have the tour agents handle it. The maximum period can be extended is 30 days and it costs the same whether it is 1 day or 30 days. The first renewal costs around $25-30 (including a handling fee) and it often takes three working days to process (please note that government offices are only open Monday to Friday). A second 10-day extension is applicable at a cost of around $35-40. For the second extension you have to show an air ticket dated after the expiry of your visa.

When applying for a Vietnam visa, 02 application forms are needed with 02 passport-sized photos. One of these forms, with photo attached, will be returned to you with your visa. For some odd reasons, many people throw this form away. It is a big mistake as it is required at immigration on arrival. If you don't have it with you, blank copies are available at immigration. A spare photo in your travel documents is always helpful. If not, you'll have to engage the services of a handy airport photographer for the princely sum of $2-5.

List of visa exempt countries?

Almost all foreigners need an Entry visa to Vietnam except some cases. You can find detailed information  on Exemption of entry visa to Vietnam 

How many types of Vietnam visa?

1. Tourist Visa

- 1 month single entry and 1 month multiple entry

- Maximum stay in Vietnam of 30 days

- Can be extended once time after your arrival in Vietnam

2. Diplomatic and official Visa

- No fees applied unless otherwise agreed upon between Vietnam and applicant’s country

- On applying visa, an official letter by the concerned agencies of local government, foreign embassies or consulates accredited to the applicant’s country, international organizations, or other accredited organizations based in that country must be submitted.

3. Transit visa (or visa for city visiting)

- Maximum duration of this type of visa is 5 days

- Transit visa will be issued for groups in tour, accompanied with a tour guide.

4. Business visa or other types of Visa

- Multiple entry and available to stay three or six months.

- Required to obtain the approval from sponsors in Vietnam.

What is the difference between single entry visa and multiple entry visa?

- Single entry visa: You are allowed to enter Vietnam ONCE only during your visa validity. If you want to re-enter, you need to apply for multiple entry visa

- Multiple entry visa: You can enter and exit Vietnam as many times as you want during your visa validity.

Vietnam Visa requirement

You are required to provide the following personal information:

1. Your full name (exactly as in your passport)

2. Date of birth (DOB)

3. Place of birth (POB)

4. Nationality

5. Passport number

6. Date of insurance of passport

7. Date of expiration of passport

8. Proposed arrival date

9. Flight reference

10. Port of arrival (Hanoi/ Noi bai, Ho Chi Minh City/ Tan Son Nhat or other)

10. Purpose of visit (Vocation/ Business/ Family visit)

11. Type of service (Visa approval code or Visa on arrival)

12. The city in which a Vietnam embassy or consulate is located, where you plan to get the visa (only for visa approval code type)

What is “Visa on Arrival” (VOA)?

It is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get your visa to Vietnam without having to queue at the embassies or consulates. The entry visa will be stamped on the passport as you pass through the Vietnam immigration check-in door at Vietnam visa airports (Hanoi/ Noi bai airport, Ho Chi Minh City/ Tan Son Nhat airport or other). You can choose either to pay directly the stamp fee to the Authority or pay to your travel agent. The validity of visa is 30 days but it can be extended easily when you arrive to Vietnam.

You need to have Approval Letter from Vietnam Department of Immigration to be able to get a stamp at airports. You can receive it within 2 working days (normal service) via email or fax. To get your visa stamped when you arrive to Vietnam, you need to show:

- Your valid passport

- Printed visa approval letter

- The entry and exit form (filled in before)

- 02 passport-sized photos

- Stamping fee 

What is “Approval Letter”?

Visa approval letter is a document issued by Vietnam Immigration Department to certify that you are accepted to get Vietnam visa on arrival at one out of three international airports in Vietnam.  Without this letter, you cannot have visa and you will have to return to your original departure. Before issuing an approval letter, the Immigration Department strictly checks your application. So with an approval letter in hand, there is no reason that makes you to be rejected at Vietnam airport.

Vietnam ports of visa on arrival?

- Hanoi / Noi Bai airport

- Ho Chi Minh city / Tan Son Nhat airport

- Danang airport

What is the difference between visa code and visa on arrival?

- Visa code: After receiving the visa approval code via fax or email, you print it out and bring it to Vietnam Embassy to stamp your visa.

- Visa on arrival: After receiving the visa approval letter via fax or email, you print it out to get on board, show it to Vietnam Immigration Officer on checking Vietnam airport to stamp your visa.

Because of this, Visa on arrival is applicable to travel to Vietnam by air only, while visa code is mainly applied for those who travel by other means (by land, ship, train, etc…).

Is validity of passport important?

It is very important because you cannot apply for a visa to Vietnam if your passport is expired. However, for some cases, you still can plan yourself that by the date of passport expire, your Vietnam visa (traveling period) is expired as well then you can go back after finishing holiday in Vietnam to extend your passport.

Does Vietnam Travel visa start on entry or on date of approval?

The effective date will be on entry date (date give in the approval letter) or simply the date you arrive Vietnam as the approval date may be many days in advance prior to your date of arrival. From the entry date, you can delay your arrival but no longer than the duration of your whole stay approved. You are not normally allowed to enter Vietnam before the date of entry.

What about photos?

Please remember to bring at least 2 passport-sized photos (04*06 cm) to apply visa to Vietnam!