Vietnam e-Visa
Everything you need for your Vietnam e-Visa: requirements, processing times and answers to the most common questions.
Official Vietnam government portal- Validity
- 90 days
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Entry type
- Single or multiple
Overview
The Vietnam e-Visa is the country's online travel authorisation, issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department through its official portal. Since 15 August 2023 it has been open to citizens of every country and territory, so most travellers, including US citizens, now use the e-Visa rather than a sticker visa or visa on arrival. It is granted for tourism and business and is issued either as a single-entry document, which lets you enter Vietnam once for a stay of up to 90 days, or as a multiple-entry document, which lets you come and go as often as you like within a 90-day validity window.
The e-Visa does not cover paid employment, enrolment in a course of study, journalism for a Vietnamese outlet, or long-term residence, each of which needs the corresponding visa arranged in advance. It is tied electronically to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same passport and enter through one of the official checkpoints. The authorisation must be obtained before you travel: airlines will not board you for Vietnam without it, and there is no way to buy it once you are at the gate.
Your Vietnam e-Visa is prepared in your own language, your entry and exit points are confirmed, and every answer is reviewed before it goes to the Immigration Department, so a small slip does not cost you a delayed trip.
Vietnam e-Visa questions
How long does the Vietnamese e-Visa take?
Vietnamese Immigration Department typically issues e-Visas within 1 to 5 business days. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with status tracking.
Can I extend my Vietnamese e-Visa?
Yes, e-Visas can be extended once at an immigration office in Vietnam. The extension is separate from VisitPass and is paid directly to the Vietnamese authority. Our specialists share the latest procedure in your confirmation email.
Which entry points accept the e-Visa?
All major Vietnamese international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang) and land crossings accept the e-Visa. The wizard verifies your entry point against the current authorised list.
How much does the Vietnam e-Visa cost?
The Vietnamese government fee depends on entry type: single-entry e-Visas cost less than multiple-entry e-Visas. You pay one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee and our service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt and no hidden charges.
Do I need a printed e-Visa at the border?
Yes. Vietnamese border officials commonly request the printed e-Visa. We recommend carrying both printed and digital copies.
Do US citizens need a Vietnam e-Visa?
Yes. US citizens, like most nationalities, need a Vietnam e-Visa obtained before travel. The e-Visa has been open to all nationalities since August 2023. Single-entry e-Visas are valid up to 90 days; multiple-entry e-Visas allow several visits within the 90-day validity. Children need their own e-Visa.
What do I need for the Vietnam e-Visa?
A passport valid at least six months with a blank page, a passport-style photo, a scan of your passport bio page and a payment card. A specialist reviews your application against current rules before submission.
What are the photo requirements for the Vietnam e-Visa?
You upload a recent digital passport-style photo on a plain light background, with your face clearly visible, looking straight at the camera, and no glasses or head covering except for religious reasons. You also upload a clean scan of your passport data page. A blurred or cropped file is a common reason for a rejected application.
What is the difference between single-entry and multiple-entry?
A single-entry e-Visa lets you enter Vietnam once, for a stay of up to 90 days. A multiple-entry e-Visa lets you leave and return as often as you wish within the same 90-day validity, which suits a regional trip that loops back through Vietnam. The multiple-entry government fee is higher; you pay one all-inclusive price, with the government portion itemised on your receipt.
Do I need a Vietnam e-Visa for a layover or connection?
If you stay airside in the international transit area and do not pass immigration, you generally do not need an e-Visa. If your route requires you to clear immigration, change airports, or leave the terminal, you need an e-Visa obtained before travel. When in doubt, apply, because requirements depend on your exact itinerary.
Can I work or study on the Vietnam e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa covers tourism and business visits only. Paid work, enrolment in a course, journalism for a Vietnamese outlet, or long-term residence require the corresponding visa, which you arrange through a Vietnamese mission or sponsor before you travel.
What happens if my Vietnam e-Visa is refused?
A refusal usually points to a document problem, such as a name or passport number that does not match, or travel that the e-Visa does not cover. You can correct the issue and reapply, or use the appropriate visa for your purpose. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the authority and is non-refundable.
How can I avoid a Vietnam e-Visa refusal?
Most refusals come from avoidable data problems: a name spelled differently from the passport, a wrong passport number, dates entered in the wrong order, or a chosen entry point that does not match the route. Before submission we check every field against your passport scan, confirm your entry and exit points against the authorised list, and flag anything inconsistent so it can be fixed first.
Do I need proof of funds or an onward ticket for the Vietnam e-Visa?
The online e-Visa form itself does not ask you to upload bank statements or a flight booking. However, the immigration officer on arrival can ask to see a return or onward ticket and evidence that you can support your stay, so keep your booking confirmation and accommodation details ready. Travelling with a clear itinerary and a return ticket makes the entry check smoother.
Why do Vietnam e-Visa photos get rejected?
Photos are most often rejected for a busy or coloured background instead of plain white, a file that is too small or heavily compressed, a face that is cropped or turned away, glare from glasses, or an old picture that no longer matches you. Use a recent, sharp photo on a plain light background, looking straight at the camera, and a clean full scan of your passport data page.
Can I enter Vietnam by land or sea on the e-Visa?
Yes. The e-Visa is accepted at the international airports and at many land border crossings and seaports, but only at the specific checkpoint you select on the form, so choose the gate that matches your real route. If you arrive somewhere other than the entry point on your e-Visa, you may be turned away, so tell us your plan and we confirm your entry and exit points against the current authorised list.
When should I apply for the Vietnam e-Visa?
The Vietnamese Immigration Department decides most e-Visa applications in 1 to 5 business days. Apply at least a couple of weeks before you travel so there is room for the government decision and for any correction if a document needs to be re-uploaded. During peak periods, around the Lunar New Year and the summer holidays, the authority can take longer, so leave a wider margin. The Rush and Super Rush tiers are available for short-notice travel.
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Have questions about your e-Visa? Email the Vietnam desk and we reply within 24 hours.
vietnam@visitpass-online.com