Direct Answer
The Vietnam e-visa is applied for 100% online — no embassy visit, no consulate queue. The official portal is evisa.gov.vn ($25–50 government fee, 3–5 business days). If your trip is sooner, priority processing through an agency runs from $90 (3 days) up to $215 (30–60 minutes). Below: the real documents checklist (including what you don't need), the 6 actual steps, and the 5 mistakes that delay most applications.
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Self-Apply vs. Agency — Which Fits You
| Factor | Self-apply, evisa.gov.vn | Via an Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | $25 single / $50 multiple | Included in tier price |
| Processing time | 3–5 working days | 3 days down to 30–60 min, depending on tier |
| Error review before submission | Self-check only | Included |
| Weekend/holiday | Queues until Monday, Vietnam time | Separate weekend service, boarding letter 24/7 |
| If it stalls | Navigate the government portal alone | Escalation support, free status check |
| Best for | Trip 10+ days away, cheapest option | Trip under a week away, or wanting support |
Documents: What You Need, and What You Genuinely Don't
✓ Required:
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your Vietnam arrival date
- A digital photo of your passport's bio-data page — full page visible, machine-readable zone clear, no glare
- Your full legal name, including all middle names, exactly as shown on your passport
- Your Vietnam entry port and arrival date
- A card for payment, and a valid email to receive your registration code and approval PDF
✗ Not required — worth knowing, since over-preparing wastes time:
- A separate portrait or headshot photo — only the passport bio-data page photo is needed
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Return ticket or proof of onward travel
- Bank statements or proof of funds
- An embassy or consulate visit — this is entirely online
- An invitation letter, for standard tourist or business purposes
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The 6 Actual Steps
- Check eligibility and prepare documents. The e-visa is open to citizens of 80+ countries. Confirm your passport is valid 6+ months beyond your Vietnam arrival date, and photograph the bio-data page flat, with all corners and the machine-readable zone visible.
- Choose your path. Self-apply directly at evisa.gov.vn (only trust the .gov.vn domain — verify carefully, since similar-looking domains exist), or apply through an agency for document review and, if needed, priority processing.
- Enter your personal details. Full name including all middle names exactly as on your passport's machine-readable zone; passport number read digit by digit; your actual Vietnamese entry airport (not a connecting hub); your genuine Vietnam arrival date; and your choice of 30 or 90 days validity — 90 days is usually the better default since it costs the same and gives more flexibility.
- Upload your photo. Full bio-data page, clear, flat, no glare, all four corners visible.
- Pay and save your registration code. The government fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome — a neutral, fixed government policy, not something either the portal or any agency controls. Save your registration code immediately; it's needed to check status and for any escalation later.
- Download your approved visa. Once approved, log back in with your registration code, download the PDF, and save or print a copy. You'll show this at check-in and again at Vietnamese immigration.
Five Mistakes That Delay Most Applications
| Mistake | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Missing middle name | Passports include all given names in the MRZ; a mismatch triggers manual review with no visible error, status just stays "Processing" |
| Entry port = transit hub | Applicants enter their connecting airport instead of their actual Vietnamese arrival airport |
| Arrival date = departure date | A long-haul flight crossing the date line can land a calendar day or two after departure — use the actual landing date |
| Non-compliant photo file | Some phone cameras save images in formats the system doesn't accept by default — check your camera settings before photographing documents |
| Submitting right before the weekend | Vietnamese immigration closes Friday evening and reopens Monday morning, Vietnam time — a submission just before that window can sit unprocessed for days |
Pricing Reference
| Option | Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Self-apply, evisa.gov.vn | $25–50 | Trip 10+ days away |
| Standard, via agency | $50 | Want document review, no rush |
| 3 days | $90 | Trip in about a week |
| 1 day | $110 | Flight tomorrow |
| 30–60 minutes (fastest) | $215 | Check-in within hours |
Agency prices are all-inclusive, government fee already included. Full 9-tier list on our urgent Vietnam visa service page.
After Approval
- Download and verify: check your name, passport number, entry port, and dates match your passport and booking exactly before you travel
- Save it two ways: print a physical copy and keep a digital copy on your phone
- At check-in: airlines generally verify a valid, approved document before issuing boarding — have your PDF ready to show
- At Vietnamese immigration: show your e-visa PDF, passport, and completed arrival card (typically given during the flight)
What No Agency Can Honestly Guarantee
No service, including us, can guarantee approval — that decision belongs to Vietnamese immigration alone, whichever route you choose. What we can honestly commit to, if you use our service: a refund on our processing fee if we miss the timeframe you paid for.
Why Travelers Choose Our Support
Document review that catches the five mistakes above before submission, not after a delay. Support genuinely available around the clock, transparent all-inclusive pricing, and a public review record you're welcome to verify yourself — 4.9 out of 5 across 150+ Trustpilot reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Vietnam visa online?
Two options: self-apply directly on evisa.gov.vn ($25-50, 3-5 business days), or apply through an agency with document review and optional priority tiers if your trip is sooner.
What documents do I actually need?
A passport valid 6+ months beyond entry, a photo of your bio-data page, your full legal name matching your passport exactly, your Vietnam entry port and arrival date, and a card for payment. You do NOT need a portrait photo, hotel booking, return ticket, bank statements, an embassy visit, or an invitation letter.
What are the most common mistakes that delay an application?
Missing a middle name, entering a transit hub instead of your actual Vietnamese entry airport, using your departure date instead of your Vietnam arrival date, and a non-compliant photo file format.
How long does the online application take?
Standard self-apply: 3-5 Vietnamese working days. Priority tiers, if needed, range from $90 (3 days) to $215 (30-60 minutes).
Can I apply for a weekend departure?
Standard tiers don't process on Vietnamese weekends. A separate weekend service or a boarding letter (24/7) applies to that specific situation instead.
Related Guides
- 👉 Visa not approved in time? The real causes, ranked
- 👉 Applying online: verify the site before you enter anything
- 👉 Approved but no email? The real causes, ranked
- 👉 Urgent Vietnam visa service: full pricing and options
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VietnamVisaEasy.com is a private travel agency, not affiliated with the Vietnamese government. We charge a fee to assist with visa applications. If you don't need assistance, you can apply directly on the official government website, evisa.gov.vn. For questions, visit our contact page.