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Complete Pre-Application Checklist — 2026 Vietnam Visa Requirements 2026: Complete Checklist for All NationalitiesBefore you apply for a Vietnam visa, four things determine whether your application will be approved without delays: your nationality, your passport validity, your document quality, and your entry point. This guide covers all four — with nationality-specific rules for US, Australian, Canadian, and Indian travelers. ✓ Check eligibility • ✓ Verify passport validity • ✓ Prepare documents • ✓ Apply from $90 all-in |
Step 1 — Nationality Check
Do You Need a Vietnam Visa? Check Your Nationality First
Vietnam operates a dual system: 38+ nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for up to 45 days, while all other nationalities require a valid eVisa. The most important fact many travelers miss: UK passport holders are visa-exempt and do not need any visa at all.
Step 2 — Passport Validity
Passport Validity Rule: 6 Months from Vietnam Arrival Date
Vietnam requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your Vietnam arrival date. Airlines enforce this independently at check-in — you can be denied boarding even with a fully approved Vietnam visa if your passport fails this check.
| Check from | Correct? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Your Vietnam arrival date | ✓ YES | This is the correct date. If you arrive in Vietnam on 15 August, your passport must be valid until at least 15 February. |
| Today’s date | ✗ WRONG | Most common mistake. A passport valid for 7 months from today may have only 5.5 months left on your Vietnam arrival date. |
| Your US departure date | ✗ WRONG | Your Vietnam arrival date may be 1–2 days later than US departure due to the international date line. Always use the Vietnam arrival date. |
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US passport expiry note: US passports issued more than 4.5 years ago may be approaching this limit. If your passport expires within 6 months of your Vietnam arrival date, you must renew it before applying for a visa. US passport renewal takes 6–8 weeks routine or 2–3 weeks expedited — a new visa cannot overcome an expiring passport. |
Step 3 — Required Documents
What Documents Do You Need for a Vietnam eVisa?
Only four items are required. Have all four ready before starting the application form — incomplete preparation is the most common reason applications take longer than necessary:
| # | Item | Exact requirements | Most common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passport | Valid for at least 6 months beyond Vietnam arrival date. US format: letter + 8 digits (e.g. A12345678) | Checking validity from today instead of arrival date |
| 2 | Passport scan | Bio-data page flat on white surface, even lighting, all 4 corners visible, MRZ strip at bottom fully readable, JPEG under 2MB | Phone photo taken at angle with shadows or unreadable MRZ — causes manual review delays |
| 3 | Email address | Active personal email accessible from your phone. Approval letter arrives as PDF by email and WhatsApp. | Work email with spam filters — approval letter routed to junk. Use Gmail as backup. |
| 4 | Payment | PayPal or credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). No cash required at Vietnam airport on arrival. | Expecting airport cash option — eVisa is fully prepaid, nothing owed on arrival |
Step 4 — Application Details
Four Application Details That Must Be Exact
Beyond the documents, four specific data points must be entered correctly on your application. Errors in any of these are the leading cause of visa delays and denied entry:
Step 5 — Apply
Vietnam eVisa Processing Options — All-In Pricing 2026
Once your documents are ready and details confirmed, select the processing tier that matches your departure timeline. All prices include the $25 government fee. Submit before 11:00 VNT for 1-Day/2-Day/3-Day on-schedule delivery. 5-Hour: submit before 13:00 VNT.
| Tier | Delivery | Best for | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Emergency | 3 business days | Flight 4–7 days away — best value | $90 |
| 1-Day Emergency | Same business day | Flight tomorrow — most popular | $110 |
| 5-Hour Same-Day | 5 hours | Flight within 48 hours | $125 |
| 2.5-Hour Super Emergency | 2.5 hours | Under 10 hours to check-in | $155 |
| 1.5-Hour Ultra Emergency | ~90 minutes | Flight in hours, at airport | $185 |
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Weekend departures (Sat/Sun): Weekend Service — new application $230, speed-up existing $210. Cutoff 15:00 VNT, results 17:00–18:00 VNT. Office closed and need to board: WhatsApp +84 947 754 252 with your flight code → Boarding Approval Letter in 30 minutes. |
▶ Apply Now — Vietnam eVisa From $90
Pre-Application Checklist
Complete Vietnam Visa Requirements Checklist (Tick All Before Applying)
| ☐ | Your nationality requires a Vietnam visa | Verified above — UK citizens are exempt; US, CA, AU, IN require visa |
| ☐ | Passport valid 6+ months from Vietnam arrival date | Check from arrival date in Vietnam, not today or US departure |
| ☐ | Clear passport scan prepared (flat, even lighting, MRZ readable) | All 4 corners visible. JPEG under 2MB. No shadows, no angle. |
| ☐ | Full legal name confirmed (US: all middle names included) | Check your passport bio-data page. Surname separate from given names. |
| ☐ | Vietnam arrival date confirmed (not US departure date) | Account for date line: US evening departure = 1–2 days later in VN |
| ☐ | Vietnam entry point confirmed (specific airport where you clear immigration) | Not your US departure or Asian connection city. Check your routing. |
| ☐ | Single-entry or multiple-entry decided | Cannot change after approval. Choose multiple if cross-border trips planned (+$25) |
| ☐ | Personal email ready (not corporate/spam-filtered) | Gmail recommended. Approval letter arrives as PDF by email and WhatsApp. |
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Vietnam Visa Requirements 2026
Who needs a visa to enter Vietnam in 2026? ▼Most nationalities require a visa. However, 38+ nationalities are visa-exempt including UK (British) passport holders (fully visa-exempt, no visa needed), Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and others for stays up to 45 days. US, Canadian, Australian, and Indian passport holders require a valid Vietnam eVisa for any visit. Check the nationality section above for the full list and always verify current exemption status before travel.
Four items: (1) passport valid for at least 6 months from Vietnam arrival date; (2) clear passport bio-data page photo — flat on white, all corners visible, MRZ readable, JPEG under 2MB; (3) active personal email; (4) PayPal or credit card. For US citizens: full legal name including all middle names exactly as printed on your passport. See the document checklist above for the most common mistakes to avoid.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your Vietnam arrival date. Airlines enforce this at check-in independently of your visa status — you can be denied boarding even with an approved visa if your passport fails this check. The critical mistake is checking from today’s date or your US departure date instead of your actual Vietnam arrival date, which may be 1–2 days later due to the international date line.
No. British (UK) passport holders are fully visa-exempt for Vietnam. UK citizens can enter Vietnam without any visa, approval letter, or payment for stays up to 45 days. Simply present your British passport at Vietnamese immigration on arrival. No eVisa application is needed.
Yes. US passport holders require a valid Vietnam eVisa for any visit regardless of length or purpose. The eVisa must be approved before your airline check-in — there is no walk-up visa option at Vietnamese airports for US citizens. VietnamVisaEasy processes US applications from 3 days ($90) to 90 minutes ($185), all-in. See the full US citizens guide for middle name rules and entry point table.
Your eVisa specifies a single entry point — the specific Vietnamese airport, seaport, or land border where you first clear Vietnamese immigration. It is not your US departure city or your Asian connecting hub. If flying US to Seoul to Hanoi: entry point = Noi Bai International Airport. If flying to Ho Chi Minh City: entry point = Tan Son Nhat International Airport. A wrong entry point means denied entry at Vietnamese immigration even with a valid approved visa.
The Vietnam eVisa is valid for up to 90 days per stay. You choose your entry date at the time of application. Single-entry allows one entry and one continuous stay up to 90 days. Multiple-entry (add $25 at time of application) allows unlimited exits and re-entries within the 90-day validity. You cannot change from single to multiple-entry after approval — a new application is required.
Vietnam does not currently offer eVisa extensions within the country. If you need to stay longer than your eVisa allows (up to 90 days), you must exit Vietnam and apply for a new eVisa before re-entering. For longer-term stays, a different visa category (working visa, business visa) may be more appropriate. Contact the Vietnamese Immigration Department or a licensed visa agent in Vietnam for current extension options for other visa types.
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All requirements checked — ready to apply? Apply for Your Vietnam eVisa Now — From $90 All-InVietnamVisaEasy pre-checks your name, passport image, entry point, and entry date before submission — the four details that cause most delays. All-in pricing includes the $25 government fee with no airport cash required. ▶ Apply Now — From $90 ☎ WhatsApp: +84 947 754 252 Email: support@vietnamvisaeasy.net |