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If you are planning to go to Vietnam and are a citizen of a country where a Visa is required, or need one due to the length of your stay, you have better options now! Applying online is convenient, fast, and cheap.
There are two main types of online Vietnam visas: e-Visa and Visa On Arrival. For an e-Visa, you can apply through the Vietnam government’s National Web Portal, or through websites of some travel agencies. For a Visa-On-Arrival, you can apply through the websites of most travel agencies.
The documents required differ for e-Visa and Visa On Arrival. Within Visa On Arrival, the documents required will again vary slightly based on the type of visa, such as tourist visa, business visa, etc.
You must have an internet connection on a device such as a tablet or PC and be able to scan and print documents in order to apply for a visa online.
e-Visas are single-entry visas that are valid for 30 days. This type of visa is best for tourists who do not plan to stay longer than a month. Those who want a transit visa in order to leave the airport while making a stop between flights in Vietnam can also apply for an e-Visa.
The entire visa application is processed within 3 working days after the submission of the application and payment of fees. There is no need to wait in line at the airport or pay any stamping fees, which makes it a cheaper and faster option than Visa On Arrival.
Currently, citizens of 80 countries can apply for a Vietnam e-Visa and can enter or exit through 33 designated international checkpoints. The list of both of the above is available on the National Web Portal on Immigration’s e-Visa page.
If you wish to stay longer than the 30-day limit on an e-Visa, a Vietnamese individual or organization will have to guarantee your stay and apply on your behalf for a new visa while you are still in Vietnam. A Vietnamese individual or organization cannot guarantee your stay or apply on your behalf for the e-Visa itself.
When applying through the Vietnam government’s portal for e-Visas, the following documents must be scanned and uploaded:
You can only enter one or after your stated entry date, and you can leave anytime on or before your stated exit date.
Additionally, you will need an international credit or debit card to make payments. Some sites might also ask for an email address.
Once you have all the required documents, you are ready to begin your application process on your chosen site. For the Vietnamese government’s e-Visa portal, you will go through the following steps:
When you arrive in Vietnam, you will be required to show your passport and e-Visa at the airport or port through which you enter.
If you are applying through the site of the Vietnamese government’s e-Visa portal, then you will be required to pay 25 USD while applying for your e-Visa. This amount is non-refundable even if your e-Visa is rejected, or you end up not needing it. You will not be required to pay any other fees.
Though most consider e-Visa a better online option than Visa On Arrival, which one is best for you depends on many elements such as length and purpose of your stay and mode of travel. It is best to compare the two to decide which is best for you.
Aspect | e-Visa | Visa On Arrival |
Cost | Usually costs less due to no stamping fees. | Due to varied travel agency costs and stamping fees, the cost is almost always more than e-Visa. |
Processing Time | It takes 3 working days to process—no waiting time upon arrival. | It can take an average of 1 to 4 days to process. Waiting time at the airport can be highly varied. |
Validity | Single entry and 30 days validity. | Single or multiple entries and has a flexible validity period. |
Eligibility | Must be a citizen of one of 80 eligible countries, and can pass through any one of 33 designated checkpoints. | Citizens of any country traveling by air are eligible, but can only pass through one of the few international airports. |
Area of Applicability | It can be used while traveling by air, sea, or bus/border gates. | Only applicable when traveling by air. |
Here’s everything you needed to know about applying for Vietnam Visa online. Look into all the details perfectly and decide which one suits you best.