Which Countries Do Not Need Visa For Vietnam?

Wondering if you need a Visa to travel to Vietnam? Let’s find out! If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you may not need a visa for entering into the country. Certain nationalities are exempt from carrying a visit upon arrival. This can be done for a fixed period. 

Here is the list of countries that do not need visa for Vietnam:

Eligibility criteria 

To get this exemption for a Vietnam visa, travelers must ensure that they have: 

• A passport’s validity for a period of at least six months following the arrival in Vietnam.
• A passport that has a minimum of two blank pages. 

The list below enumerates the nationalities that do not require a visa for entering Vietnam. Alongside this, the maximum stay period is given. 

As per the data of January’ 19, the following countries have an exemption for visa for entering Vietnam. 

Additional notes 

• Holders of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) having passports that are valid do not require a Vietnam visa. This condition is valid for a stay allowance that is a maximum of 60 days. 
• Individuals having British National Overseas (BNO) passports are required to apply for a Vietnam visa to visit the country. They are not allowed to opt for the 15-day visa exemption. 
• Overseas Vietnamese and their families or citizens of Vietnam qualified for the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption. 
• Foreign passports are eligible for visa exemption for Phu Quoc island for 30 days. This is applicable even if they transit through other international airports in Vietnam. 

How to extend a Vietnam visa?

A visa extension is required if you wish to stay in Vietnam for a longer duration than is allowed by your current visa. This process is available for countries that fall under visa exemption in Vietnam. 

This means that you will require an extension stamp on your passport. This stamp has to indicate the revised duration of stay. However, the visa extension is available only for single entry travelers. 

You can apply for a visa extension directly at the Vietnam Immigration Department. Alternatively, you can visit the Vietnam visa website to apply. 

The following steps need to be followed to extend a Vietnam visa:

Step 1: A soft copy of the passport and the page with the current Vietnam visa should be sent to the authorities. They will decide whether your visa can be extended or not and inform you about the same. 

Step 2: If you are eligible for a visa extension, the original passport has to be sent to the Vietnam Immigration Department. The payment for extending your Vietnam visa should be made along with this. 

Step 3: You will receive your passport with the extended visa within eight business days. For urgent cases, it will be returned within 3 working days. Urgent cases need to be specified and requested while applying for the extension.

Vietnam visa extension duration

The application for a visa extension has to include the duration. According to the type of visa you hold, the duration of extension varies. These apply as follows:

• For visa-exempt travelers, the original duration can be extended for up to 3 months. 
• If you hold a tourist or business visa with a duration of 1 month, the visa extension can be for up to 3 months. 
• An original 3-month tourist or business visa can be extended by 3 months. 
• A 5-year original visa exemption certificate can be extended for up to 6 months. 
• An original e-visa can be extended for up to 3 months. 
• A US passport holder with a 1-year visa can be granted an extension of 3 months. 
• APEC Business Travel Card holders with temporary stay can extend for up to 3 months. 

Documents necessary for Visa Exemption Certificate

The Vietnam Visa Exception, also known as the 5-year visa to Vietnam, can be obtained by producing the following documents. 

1. For Vietnamese citizens residing abroad 
2. For obtaining the visa exemption certificate, a Vietnamese must fill up the online application form and print it out. 
3. 2 recent color pictures, which are 2×2 inches with a white background. The head must be straight, no sunglasses are allowed. One photo must be glued onto the form while the other stapled on it.  
4. The original passport and one copy of it with 6 months validity till after entry in Vietnam. Any other travel document such as a Permanent Resident Card is also accepted. 
5. Copy of any one of the following documents:
6. Certificate of Vietnamese citizenship 
7. Vietnamese birth certificate 
8. A Vietnamese passport that is expired 
9. Family registration book 
10. Any document that is certified by competent authority indicating Vietnamese origin or citizenship
11. The fee must be paid through a cashier’s check or money order made out to “EMBASSY OF VIETNAM.” If the payment is made by mail or in person, a credit card is accepted.

The original documents will be returned after the application is processed. 

• For foreign citizens who are spouses/children of a Vietnamese national residing abroad
• Online application for the visa exemption certificate
• Two recent color pictures which are against a white background and 2×2 inches in size. The picture must showcase a straight head, and sunglasses are not allowed.  
• The original or 1 copy of the passport with 6-month validity.
• A copy of any one of the following documents which will serve as proof of a relationship with the concerned Vietnamese national. 
• Marriage certificate 
• Birth certificate 
• Certificate of relationship with parent/child 
• Child adoption certificate 
• Any other valid document deemed appropriate by Vietnamese law
• Money order or cashier’s check made out to “EMBASSY OF VIETNAM.” If the fee is given in person at the Embassy, cash or credit card is accepted.

The original documents will be returned after the application is processed. 

If you prefer to receive the Visa Exemption Certificate delivered by mail, a prepaid return envelope with your address must be provided. Mail services offered by UPS, USPS, and FedEx are recommended as they are reliable. The Embassy will not be responsible for the loss of documents due to uncertified mail service or loosely attached documents. 

After all the required documents are submitted, the processing time is within 5 working days.