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How to Apply Vietnam Visa Online — 2026 Complete Guide
How to Apply Vietnam Visa Online 2026: Step-by-Step eVisa Guide, Documents Checklist, Common Errors & Pricing
Vietnam eVisa is applied 100% online — no embassy visit, no consulate queue, no invitation letter. The official portal is evisa.gov.vn ($25 govt fee, 3–5 business days). If your trip is sooner, VietnamVisaEasy offers expedited tiers from $90 (3-Day) to $185 (1-Hour). Five errors catch most applicants: middle name, entry port, arrival date, HEIC photo, and Friday submission timing.
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Self-apply (govt)
$25 • 3–5 days
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Any time
Letter 30 min 24/7
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Two Ways to Apply
Self-Apply on evisa.gov.vn vs Apply via VietnamVisaEasy — Which Is Right for You?
| Factor |
Self-apply on evisa.gov.vn |
Via VietnamVisaEasy |
| Government fee |
$25 single / $50 multiple |
Included in all tier prices |
| Processing time |
3–5 Vietnamese business days |
3 days to ~60 min depending on tier |
| Error review before submit |
Self-check only |
Free review included |
| Weekend/holiday |
Queue waits until Monday VNT |
Weekend Service + Boarding Letter 24/7 |
| If processing stalls |
Wait or navigate govt portal alone |
Path A/B escalation, free check |
| Best for |
Trip 10+ days away, budget-first |
Trip <7 days away, time-sensitive travel |
Documents Needed
Complete Documents Checklist — What You Need and What You Do NOT Need
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✓ Required
| Passport | Valid 6+ months beyond Vietnam arrival date |
| Bio-data page photo | JPEG, full page, MRZ visible, no glare. Not HEIC. |
| Full legal name | All given names + middle names exactly as on passport |
| Vietnam entry port | SGN / HAN / DAD — not JFK, LAX, ICN, NRT |
| Vietnam arrival date | Date you land in Vietnam, not US departure date |
| Credit/debit card | For $25 govt fee (single) or $50 (multiple) |
| Valid email | To receive Reference Code and approval PDF |
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✗ NOT required
| Portrait photo | eVisa needs bio-data page only — no headshot |
| Hotel booking | Not required for application |
| Return ticket | No proof of onward travel needed |
| Bank statements | No proof of funds required |
| Embassy visit | 100% online — no embassy, no consulate |
| Invitation letter | Not needed for tourist or business eVisa |
| HEIC photo | iPhone default. Must convert to JPEG first. |
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Step-by-Step Process
6 Steps to Apply Vietnam Visa Online
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1
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Preparation
Check eligibility and prepare documents
Vietnam eVisa is open to citizens of 80+ countries including USA, Australia, UK, Canada, India, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Confirm passport validity — must be valid at least 6 months beyond the Vietnam arrival date. Take a photo of the passport bio-data page in JPEG format on a flat surface with all four corners and the full MRZ strip visible. iPhone users: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible before taking the photo.
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2
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Choose path
Open evisa.gov.vn or apply via VietnamVisaEasy
For self-apply: go to evisa.gov.vn directly. Select Apply for E-visa → E-visa for foreigners. Do not use .com or .net variants of this URL — the government portal is .gov.vn only. For expedited service: apply via VietnamVisaEasy and select the tier matching your departure timeline.
Trip under 7 days away? Apply via VietnamVisaEasy. Standard govt processing takes 3–5 business days and may not deliver in time without expedited service. |
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3
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Personal details
Enter name, passport number, entry port, and arrival date
| Full name | Include ALL middle names exactly as on passport MRZ. JOHN MICHAEL SMITH, not JOHN SMITH. |
| Passport number | Copy digit by digit. One wrong character = rejection. |
| Entry port | Vietnamese airport only: SGN (HCMC) / HAN (Hanoi) / DAD (Da Nang). Never ICN, NRT, SIN, BKK. |
| Arrival date | Vietnam landing date from booking. JFK Monday night → SGN Wednesday morning: enter Wednesday. |
| Validity | 30 or 90 days — cannot change after approval. 90 days recommended for longer trips. |
| Entry type | Single (gov fee $25) or multiple (gov fee $50). |
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4
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Photo upload
Upload passport bio-data page — JPEG only, full MRZ visible
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✓ Correct
Full bio-data page, JPEG, all 4 corners visible, MRZ readable, no glare, taken flat on a surface.
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✗ Will fail
HEIC file, portrait headshot, page corner cut off, glare on MRZ, photo held at angle.
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5
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Payment
Pay government fee and save Reference Code immediately
Pay $25 USD (single) or $50 USD (multiple) by credit or debit card. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. After payment, the system generates a Reference Code in the format E260705USA.... Screenshot it. Email it to yourself. This code is the only way to check status on evisa.gov.vn and is required for any escalation through VietnamVisaEasy if processing stalls.
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6
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Approval
Download PDF, print it, present it at check-in and immigration
When status changes to Approved: log back into evisa.gov.vn with your Reference Code and download the eVisa PDF. Print a copy or save to your phone. At the US departure airport: show eVisa PDF + passport to airline check-in agent (TIMATIC check). At Vietnamese immigration: show eVisa PDF again + passport + arrival card (given on the plane).
| Standard processing | 3–5 Vietnamese business days (Mon–Fri VNT, excl. holidays) |
| Check status | Log into evisa.gov.vn with Reference Code anytime |
| At check-in | Show eVisa PDF + US passport to airline agent |
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Common Errors to Avoid
Five Mistakes That Delay or Reject Most Applications
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Error 1 — Missing middle name (US, Canada, Australia)
US passports include all given names including middle names in the MRZ. The system compares the application name field against the MRZ. A mismatch triggers manual review adding 1–3 business days with no error message — the status simply stays "Processing". Enter: JOHN MICHAEL SMITH, not JOHN SMITH.
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#1 US error
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Error 2 — Entry port set to transit hub
Most US flights route via Seoul ICN or Tokyo NRT. Australian flights via Singapore SIN. Applicants select these as entry port. The entry port must be a Vietnamese airport where immigration is first cleared: SGN (Ho Chi Minh City), HAN (Hanoi), or DAD (Da Nang). ICN, NRT, SIN, BKK are transit hubs and will cause a data mismatch.
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#2 US error
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Error 3 — Arrival date = departure date
Vietnam is UTC+7. JFK to SGN via ICN: depart Monday night ET, arrive Wednesday morning VNT — two calendar days later. SYD to HAN via SIN: depart Tuesday, arrive Thursday VNT. Always enter the Vietnam arrival date from your booking confirmation, not the date you board at home. A mismatch flags the application.
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Error 4 — HEIC photo from iPhone
iPhone saves photos as HEIC by default. evisa.gov.vn requires JPEG. A HEIC upload either fails with a technical error or uploads a file the MRZ scanner cannot process, routing the application to technical review. Fix before applying: iPhone Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. Then retake the passport photo.
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Error 5 — Submitting Friday ET (sits until Monday VNT)
Vietnamese Immigration closes Friday 18:00 VNT and reopens Monday 08:00 VNT. 11pm ET Thursday = 1pm VNT Friday — if submitted after 11:00 VNT Friday, the application queues until Monday. A 3-day expected turnaround becomes 5+ days. For any weekend departure: use Weekend Service ($210–$230) or WhatsApp Boarding Letter (30 min, 24/7).
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Pricing Reference
All eVisa Options — Prices, Processing Times, When to Use Each
All VietnamVisaEasy prices USD all-in including $25 govt fee, single-entry. Multiple-entry +$25. Standard govt self-apply: $25 only (3–5 days).
| Option |
Price |
Delivery |
VNT cutoff |
Best for |
| Self-apply evisa.gov.vn |
$25 |
3–5 biz days |
Any time |
Trip 10+ days away |
| 3-Day Emergency |
$90 |
3 biz days |
11:00 VNT |
Trip 4–7 days away |
| 2-Day Express |
$105 |
2 biz days |
11:00 VNT |
Trip 2–4 days away |
| 1-Day Emergency ★ |
$110 |
Same VNT day |
11:00 VNT |
Flight tomorrow |
| 5-Hour Same-Day |
$125 |
~5 hours |
13:00 VNT |
Flight today, afternoon |
| 2.5-Hour Super Emergency |
$155 |
~2.5 hours |
15:00 VNT |
Flight today, running late |
| 1-Hour Ultra Emergency |
$185 |
~60 min |
18:00 VNT |
Check-in in hours |
| Boarding Letter |
WhatsApp |
30 min |
None — 24/7 |
After 18:00 VNT, weekends |
VNT = Vietnam Time (UTC+7). EDT (summer, UTC−4): 11:00 VNT = 12am EDT. 18:00 VNT = 1am EDT. Mon–Fri VNT for eVisa tiers. Govt fee included in all VietnamVisaEasy prices.
After Approval
What to Do When Your Vietnam Visa Is Approved
| Download PDF | Log into evisa.gov.vn with Reference Code. Status = Approved. Download eVisa PDF. |
| Print or save | Print a physical copy AND save to phone. Airlines sometimes prefer physical; immigration may too. |
| Verify all details | Check name, passport number, entry port, and arrival date match your passport and booking exactly. |
| At US airport check-in | Show eVisa PDF + passport. Airline TIMATIC check. Without the PDF, boarding may be refused. |
| On the plane | Complete arrival card (given on flight). SGN/HAN/DAD: go to eVisa immigration lane on arrival. |
| At Vietnamese immigration | Show eVisa PDF + passport + completed arrival card. Stamp issued. You are in. |
Detailed Guides by Country and Situation
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Vietnam visa online in 2026? ▼
Two options. Self-apply: go to evisa.gov.vn, fill in passport details and travel info, upload JPEG bio-data page photo, pay $25 (single) or $50 (multiple), save Reference Code, wait 3–5 business days. Expedited via VietnamVisaEasy: choose tier from 3-Day $90 to 1-Hour $185 all-in, application reviewed for errors before submission.
What documents do I need to apply for Vietnam visa online? ▼
Required: passport valid 6+ months beyond Vietnam arrival, JPEG bio-data page photo (no portrait), full legal name including middle names, Vietnamese entry airport (SGN/HAN/DAD), Vietnam arrival date, card for payment. Not required: hotel booking, return ticket, bank statements, embassy visit, invitation letter.
What are the most common Vietnam visa online application mistakes? ▼
Five errors: (1) Missing middle name. (2) Entry port set to transit hub (ICN/NRT) instead of Vietnamese airport. (3) Arrival date = US departure date. (4) HEIC photo from iPhone. (5) Submitted Friday ET — sits until Monday VNT.
How long does Vietnam visa online application take? ▼
Self-apply: 3–5 Vietnamese business days. Expedited: 3-Day $90 • 2-Day $105 • 1-Day $110 (same VNT day) • 5-Hour $125 • 2.5-Hour $155 • 1-Hour $185 (~60 min before 18:00 VNT). Boarding Letter: 30 minutes via WhatsApp 24/7.
Do I need a portrait photo for Vietnam eVisa? ▼
No. The Vietnam eVisa requires only a JPEG photo of the passport bio-data page — the page with your name, photo, passport number, date of birth, and MRZ strip. No separate portrait or headshot is needed.
Can I apply Vietnam visa online for a weekend departure? ▼
Standard tiers (3-Day, 2-Day, 1-Day) do not process on Vietnamese weekends. For weekend flights: Weekend Service ($230 new app / $210 speed-up, submit before 15:00 VNT Sat or Sun) or Boarding Letter (30 min, WhatsApp, 24/7). Full eVisa PDF delivered before landing.
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Ready to apply? From $90 all-in, error review included.
3-Day $90 • 1-Day $110 • 1-Hour $185 • Boarding Letter 30 min 24/7 • Middle name required • No portrait photo
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Apply via VietnamVisaEasy
WhatsApp 24/7
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