Vietnam Visa (2026): Requirements, eVisa, Fees, Processing Time & How to Apply

What Is a Vietnam Visa?

A Vietnam visa is the official document required for most foreign nationals to enter Vietnam. Today, the vast majority of travelers use the e-visa — an electronic visa issued by Vietnam's Immigration Department, applied for entirely online rather than through an embassy.

• Validity: up to 3 months (90 days)
• Entry type: single-entry or multiple-entry
• Format: issued as a PDF, which must be presented at check-in and on arrival
• Where to apply: directly on the official government website, https://evisa.gov.vn

Who Needs a Vietnam Visa?

Most foreign travelers entering Vietnam for tourism, business, or family visits need a visa. If you're unsure whether your nationality qualifies for the e-visa, the official government portal at evisa.gov.vn is the authoritative source to check eligibility before applying.

Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry Visa: Which Do You Need?

If your plans include a side trip to a neighboring country and a return to Vietnam, a multiple-entry visa avoids the need to apply for a brand-new visa each time. If you're planning a single, straightforward trip, single-entry is the cheaper and simpler option.

💡 Tip: Choose the full 3-month validity regardless of entry type — it gives you maximum flexibility. If you select a shorter validity and later decide to stay longer, you'll need to start an entirely new application. See our guide on what to do if you need to stay in Vietnam longer than planned.

How Do You Apply for a Vietnam Visa?

The full step-by-step walkthrough — including how to avoid the most common mistakes with entry dates and passport details — is covered in our dedicated guide: Vietnam e-visa application process, step by step.

After submitting, always save your application code (format: E260720USA…) and the email address you registered — this lets you check your status anytime at https://evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/search.

Vietnam Visa Fees: Standard and Urgent Processing

Notes:

• Add 25 USD for a multiple-entry visa.
• If you've already paid the government fee yourself on evisa.gov.vn, you only pay for the expedite service (the table above already deducts the 25 USD government fee in that case).
• A standalone information-correction service costs 85 USD.

Does Paying the Visa Fee Mean You're Approved to Fly?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings among travelers. Submitting your application and paying the fee is not the same as receiving approval. Airline staff check for the approved e-visa PDF itself, a matching passport, and a valid entry date — not a payment receipt. For the full explanation of what airlines check and why they're so strict, see no visa, no boarding: strict airline rules you need to know.

Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering the wrong intended entry date (your visa validity starts counting from that date)
• Incorrect passport number or name formatting
• Applying too close to your departure date, leaving no buffer if something goes wrong
• Attaching a child's application to a parent's — every traveler, including children, needs a separate e-visa
• Submitting on a weekend or holiday, when the government isn't processing applications until the next working day

What If Something Goes Wrong With Your Visa?

If your application has an error, you can either wait for the government's own correction process (3–5 days) or use a paid correction service to fix it immediately, combined with urgent processing if needed.

If your visa is still processing and your flight is approaching, see our guide on what to do when your Vietnam e-visa is still processing. If you're flying within the next day or two, what to do if you're flying to Vietnam tomorrow covers your options. And if you've already missed a flight because of a visa issue, see how to recover after missing your flight due to a visa delay.

Should You Apply Yourself or Use a Visa Agency?

Apply directly on evisa.gov.vn if you:

• Are comfortable navigating online government forms
• Have more than 2 weeks before departure
• Want to minimize cost

Use a third-party agency if you:

• Need your visa within hours or days
• Have an application stuck in processing
• Need delivery specifically on a weekend or holiday
• Found an error and need it corrected quickly
• Want 24/7 live support and a money-back guarantee if the deadline is missed

FAQ: Vietnam Visa

Related Guides

• 👉 Vietnam e-visa application process and fees, step by step
• 👉 No visa, no boarding: strict airline rules you need to know
• 👉 Missed your flight due to a visa delay? Step-by-step recovery
• 👉 What to do when your Vietnam e-visa is still processing
• 👉 What to do if you're flying to Vietnam tomorrow
• 👉 Urgent Vietnam visa options for US travelers
• 👉 Check your visa application status
• 👉 Frequently Asked Questions

VietnamVisaEasy.com is a private service agency and is 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.