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Complete Guide • 2026 Vietnam Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Apply OnlineA general overview of how Vietnam visas actually work, then links to detailed guides for your specific nationality or situation. |
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Quick Answer Most travelers need a Vietnam visa, applied for entirely online as an e-visa. It costs $25 (single-entry) or $50 (multiple-entry), valid for either 30 or 90 days depending on what you select, and takes roughly 3–5 working days standard — faster paid processing is available down to about 1.5 hours. |
Do You Actually Need a Visa? Check This First
Citizens of roughly 38–39 countries can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for 14–45 days (a few nationalities, including Chile and Panama, get 90 days). This covers most of ASEAN, most of Western Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The US, Canada, and Australia are not on this list — citizens of these countries need an e-visa for every trip, regardless of stay length.
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Your nationality is visa-exempt, staying within the allowed window | No visa needed at all — just your passport at the border |
| Your nationality isn't exempt (e.g. US, Canada, Australia, most of Asia/Africa) | E-visa required, every trip |
| Exempt nationality, but staying longer than the allowed window | Apply for an e-visa instead (exempt stays cannot be extended — the only alternative is a "visa run" by exiting and re-entering) |
Full nationality-by-nationality breakdown: Vietnam Visa Exemption Guide.
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New in 2026 — Don't Skip This Digital Arrival Card: mandatory from April 15, 2026, for foreign arrivals at major checkpoints — a separate online declaration, in addition to your visa or exemption stamp. Health declaration: Vietnam is introducing a new pre-arrival health declaration from July 1, 2026, for many international travelers, to be completed within 7 days before travel. Requirements may include proof of vaccination depending on the global health situation at the time. Check the current status before you fly, since rollout details can change. |
E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival
The e-visa is issued entirely online before you fly — no extra step needed on arrival. Visa on arrival is a pre-approval letter you carry, then exchange for a physical stamp at specific airports on landing. For most travelers, the e-visa is simpler, since it removes that extra airport step entirely.
| E-Visa | Visa on Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued | Fully online, before departure | Pre-approval online, stamp on arrival |
| Entry points | 83 checkpoints nationwide | Specific international airports only |
| Extra airport step | None | Yes — separate counter on landing |
How to Apply
Passport, photo, travel dates.
Directly on evisa.gov.vn, or through an agency for faster processing.
$25 or $50 depending on entry type.
Sent by email as a PDF — print and keep a digital copy.
Full document specifications and photo requirements: complete checklist.
Find Your Specific Situation
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By Nationality |
By Nationality |
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Need It Fast |
Already Applied |
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Something Went Wrong |
At the Airport |
A Visa Doesn't Guarantee Entry
This applies whether you're visa-exempt or holding an approved e-visa: the immigration officer at the port of entry has final authority. Entry is a right granted under policy, not an unconditional guarantee. Officers can ask for evidence of sufficient funds for your trip (roughly $50/day is a commonly cited benchmark, though it's not written into law as a fixed figure), and can deny entry if they have reason to doubt your travel purpose — without necessarily stating a specific reason. If denied, you'd typically be placed on the next available flight back to your point of origin, which is one reason travel insurance covering trip disruption is worth considering.
Mistakes That Cause the Most Delays
| A personal detail that doesn't match the passport exactly |
| A photo that doesn't meet the exact specifications |
| Applying too close to departure, with no buffer for corrections |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?Most travelers do. A smaller number of nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays — check your specific nationality first.
E-visa is issued fully online before you fly. Visa on arrival is a pre-approval exchanged for a stamp at specific airports. E-visa is generally simpler.
Either 30 or 90 days, depending on which you select — independent of single or multiple entry.
$25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry officially. Urgent tiers start around $90 all-in.
Roughly 3–5 working days standard. Faster paid tiers exist, down to about 1.5 hours.
A valid passport, a data page scan, a separate portrait photo, and your travel details.
Around 38–39 nationalities are exempt for 14–45 days. The US, Canada, and Australia are not on this list.
No — the immigration officer has final authority and can deny entry regardless of a valid visa or exemption.
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Ready to Apply?Standard from $90 • Urgent tiers down to 1.5 hours • 100% online Apply Now WhatsApp +84 947 754 252support@vietnamvisaeasy.com |
More Guides
Vietnam Visa Requirements 2026 →
Arriving in Vietnam: Airport Immigration Guide →
VietnamVisaEasy.com is a private travel agency, not affiliated with the Vietnamese government. Last updated July 2026.