Everything you need to know about a Vietnam Visa

There are twenty types of Vietnam entry visas, such as business visas, diplomatic visas, tourist visas... If the last one of these concerns you the most for your next departure, this article is definitely for you.

When preparing for a trip outside the country to another continent, in addition to the question of destination, route and your bags, ensuring you can actually enter the country is also a point to consider. What are the conditions and formalities for obtaining a visa for Vietnam? What are the advantages and disadvantages when applying for a visa at home or by correspondence? Who are exempt from visas? Are there visa fees for an application before departure, on arrival and other services? You will find almost all the answers that you need in this article.

Entry visa exemption in Vietnam

You should know that a tourist visa is valid for a stay that does not exceed 3 months. Below are the nationals of the countries receiving the visa exemption for a stay in Vietnam for a fixed period, namely:

+ The passport holders of the following countries: Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia and Finland, for a maximum duration of 15 days.

+ The nationals of 5 European countries (Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Spain), within a limit of 15 days, in accordance with the extension of the visa exemption for Vietnam promulgated by the Vietnamese government which is valid from 1/7/2018 until 30/6/2021.

+ Brunei passport holders, within 14 days.

+ The passport holders of the following countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos, within a 30-day limit.

+ Filipino passport holders, within a 21-day limit.

Notes: The citizens below wanting to stay in Vietnam longer than expected or to enter Vietnam more than once during the time limit will have to apply for a visa according to the procedures in effect.

>> Read more: Visa Vietnam: Green light for the 3rd extension of the visa exemption

Types of tourist visa

Single entry visa 1 month: obtain in order to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days.
 Multi-entry visa 1 month: obtain to stay in Vietnam more than once for a maximum of 30 days.
Visa Single entry 3 months: obtain to stay in Vietnam once for a maximum of 90 days.
Multi-entry visa 3-month: obtain in order to stay in Vietnam more than once for a maximum of 90 days.

How to get a visa for Vietnam?

There are three options for travellers to obtain an entry visa to Vietnam:

Option 1: Apply for the visa before your departure at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country of residence

Conditions:

+ Be present in the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
+ The original version of your passport is to be presented to the competent department of the embassy where you are guided to complete the formalities and pay the related fees.

Option 2: Apply online for an electronic visa or e-visa for Vietnam

Currently, only 46 of 197 countries and territories are on the list of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for an e-visa to go to Vietnam, under the February 2017 experimentation by the Vietnamese government.

Nationals of the above-mentioned countries can view the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Service to find out the details of visa application procedures in Vietnam.

Advantages: Simple and fast, no need to show up at the embassy, only need a connection to the internet.

Disadvantages: once paid, the cost of the e-visa may not be compensated in case of refusal of issue or a possible technical problem.

>> Learn more: Issuance of the Vietnam e-visa: 80 eligible nationalities

Option 3: Obtain a visa on arrival by a travel agency

The majority of travel agencies in Vietnam offer the visa application service for tourists. With this article, Authentik Vietnam shares with you our expertise as well as our suggestions to facilitate the procedure of obtaining a visa for Vietnam. Fees, approval time and visa duration, all of these depend on the nationality of the traveller.

Nationality groups are distinguished by the Immigration Department of Vietnam on political or diplomatic criteria.

For which nationalities is the Vietnam visa application is favourable?

These are the countries whose citizens are exempt from visas up to now, certain European countries, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

+ Visa fees
If you opt for a Vietnam travel tour, the visa fee is normally out of your charge or included in the total price of the tour.

If you only apply for a visa, the cost are as follows:

Single entry visa 1 month / Multi-entry visa 1 month: 10 USD per person
Single entry visa 3 months / Multi-entry visa 3 months: 20 USD per person

+ Approval time: from 1 to 3 working days. In case of urgent need of a visa (from 4 to 8 hours), a fee of 5 USD per person is necessary.

+ Formality

You just need to send by email a scan of your passport and the date of arrival in Vietnam to the body or the travel agency that handles the visa application. You will receive an invitation letter from the Immigration Department by email and get the visa upon your arrival in Vietnam.

For which nationalities is the Vietnam visa application difficult?

This group concerns African countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Kuwait and Oman.

+ Fees

Single entry visa 1 month / Multi-entry visa 1 month:  60 USD per person
Single entry visa 3 months / Multi-entry visa 3 months: 120 USD per person

+ Approval time: from 3 to 7 working days

+ Formality is identical to that applied in the first case

For which nationalities is the Vietnam visa application very difficult?

These are the following 18 countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Mozambique, Congo, Ghana, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon and Yemen.

+ Conditions of eligibility: travel program clearly indicating the place of stay of each day and proof of the return air ticket.

+ Fees: from  100 USD to  200 USD, depending on nationality

+ Approval period: from 7 to 15 working days

Visa application form

You must complete the Vietnam Immigration Department form, prepare two 4x6 cm ID photos on a white background, 25 USD for single entry and 50 USD for multiple-entry.

>> Here's the link to download the customs form to be completed for your Vietnam visa.

Our advice: bring with you a good amount in US dollars in order to save time at the office of the Immigration Department. Other currencies are also accepted such as the euro, the pound sterling and the Singaporean dollar. On the other hand, you need time for exchanging the money whose rate is not as favourable on the spot.

Services to easily obtain a visa upon arrival in Vietnam

To simplify your boarding procedures, you can take advantage of an airport pick-up service offered by a travel agency or a specialized organization. You will benefit, at an additional cost, from a guaranteed assistance throughout all the formalities (reduced waiting time, fast passage...).

Two types of airport reception services available:

* Classic passage

The person in charge of the reception awaits you at the Immigration office with a sign indicating your name. They will take care of the necessary visa formalities. The waiting time varies between 5 and 10 minutes at Noi Bai and Da Nang airports and between 10 and 15 minutes at Tan Son Nhat airport. We will eventually accompany you to obtain the visa stamp.

Applicable Fee:  20 USD per person.

* Fast track or priority passage

The person in charge of the reception awaits you on the bridge of the plane with a sign indicating your name. This one quickly accomplishes the necessary formalities for you over 5 or 10 minutes. You will receive personalised assistance to obtain the visa stamp, collect your luggage and pick up your vehicle.

Applicable Fee:  40 USD per person Note that a group of more than 5 travellers normally benefits from a cheaper price.

We hope the information we have shared here is useful for predating your next trip to Vietnam. Feel free to leave a comment for any other questions or queries you may have. Our experts will quickly answer your questions.

>>Do not forget to consult a reliable Vietnamese travel agency to simplify the preparation for your next trip to Vietnam.