Vietnam Visa Requirements and Application Process in English

Getting a visa to Vietnam is relatively easy and straightforward. Visitors can apply for a Vietnam visa either by picking up a visa from the Vietnam embassy in their home country or by applying online for a visa approval letter before traveling to Vietnam. Here is a breakdown of Vietnam visa requirements and the application process.

Who needs a Visa?

Most foreign visitors to Vietnam must obtain a visa. However, there are a few exemptions, including citizens of certain Southeast Asian countries who can stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days without a visa and citizens of Japan, Russia, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Belarus who can stay in Vietnam for up to 15 days without a visa. Visitors who do not fall into these categories should apply for a visa before traveling to Vietnam.

Types of Visa

There are different types of visas available for visitors to Vietnam, depending on the purpose of their visit. The most common types of visas issued are:

1-month single-entry visa

1-month multiple-entry visa

3-month single-entry visa

3-month multiple-entry visa

Visa Application Process

There are two ways to obtain a Vietnam visa: applying for a visa at a Vietnamese embassy in the home country or obtaining a visa approval letter online. The visa approval letter is required to pick up a visa at the airport in Vietnam, and it takes 2-3 working days to process. Here are the steps to obtain a visa approval letter online:

Fill out an online visa application form.

Make a payment for the visa processing fee using a credit card or PayPal account.

Wait two to three working days for the visa approval letter to be processed and sent to your email.

Print out the visa approval letter and bring it with you to Vietnam.

Hand over the visa approval letter and the visa stamp fee at the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport in Vietnam to receive your visa.

Required Documents

To apply for a visa to Vietnam, visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Vietnam. Visitors must also submit the completed visa application form, a passport-sized photo, and the visa processing fee. Visitors who apply for a visa approval letter online do not need to submit the application form and the photo.

Final Thoughts

Getting a visa to travel to Vietnam is a straightforward process that can be done online or at a Vietnam embassy. Visitors should make sure they have all the necessary documentation and a valid passport before applying for a visa. Additionally, visitors should ensure that they are aware of the visa requirements and restrictions for their nationality to avoid any issues at the border.