What Is the Vietnam eVisa?
The Vietnam eVisa is an official electronic travel authorization issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department that allows foreign nationals to enter Vietnam for up to 90 days without visiting an embassy. Introduced as part of Vietnam’s digital immigration modernization, the Vietnam eVisa (also called Vietnam e-visa or Vietnam electronic visa) is a legally recognized travel document equivalent to a traditional embassy-issued visa. It falls under the DL class — the tourist visa category — and is also available for business and family visit purposes. Unlike a visa on arrival or an embassy sticker visa, the entire Vietnam eVisa process is done online. You apply through the official portal, pay the fee electronically, and receive your approved visa as a PDF document by email. There is no need to visit a Vietnamese embassy, consulate, or immigration office at any point. The Vietnam eVisa is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (under the Ministry of Public Security) and is the government’s preferred entry method for foreign tourists and business travelers. Since August 2023, Vietnam expanded its eVisa policy to cover all countries and territories worldwide — making it the most accessible entry option for international travelers.What Does an Approved Vietnam eVisa Look Like?
An approved Vietnam eVisa is a PDF document containing your personal details, visa type, validity dates, and an official electronic stamp from the Vietnam Immigration Department. Once your application is approved, you will receive a PDF file to download and print. The document includes:- Full name (as in your passport)
- Date of birth and nationality
- Passport number and expiry date
- Visa type (single or multiple entry)
- Validity period (start date and end date)
- Visa code (unique reference number)
- Official electronic stamp from the Vietnam Immigration Department
Note: The Vietnam eVisa does not carry a physical red government stamp, as it is issued electronically.Border officers scan the QR code or verify the visa code in the immigration system. Print your eVisa and carry it with your passport when traveling.
Who Can Apply for a Vietnam eVisa? (Eligibility)
Citizens of all countries and territories worldwide are eligible to apply for a Vietnam eVisa since Vietnam expanded its eVisa policy in August 2023. Before August 2023, the Vietnam eVisa was only available to citizens of selected countries. The 2023 expansion removed all nationality restrictions, meaning travelers from every country — including those previously excluded — can now apply online. To be eligible for a Vietnam eVisa, you must meet these conditions:- Be outside Vietnam at the time of application (foreigners already in Vietnam must use a different visa process)
- Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended arrival date and at least 2 blank pages
- Not be on the entry ban list under Article 21 of Vietnam’s Law on Foreigners’ Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence
Important: If you fall under the categories in Clauses 1–4, Article 8 of Vietnam’s immigration law (e.g., certain criminal records or prior deportations), you cannot apply via the eVisa portal.
Countries Exempt from Vietnam Visa (No eVisa Needed)
Citizens of 12 countries — including Germany, France, the UK, Japan, and South Korea — can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days under Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP (valid March 2025–March 2028). If you hold a passport from one of the following countries, you do not need to apply for a Vietnam eVisa for stays up to 45 days:| Country | Visa-Free Duration |
|---|---|
| Germany | 45 days |
| France | 45 days |
| Italy | 45 days |
| Spain | 45 days |
| United Kingdom | 45 days |
| Russia | 45 days |
| Japan | 45 days |
| South Korea | 45 days |
| Denmark | 45 days |
| Sweden | 45 days |
| Norway | 45 days |
| Finland | 45 days |
Vietnam eVisa Requirements: Documents You Need
To apply for a Vietnam eVisa, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, a digital passport photo, and a credit/debit card for the application fee. Gather these documents before starting your Vietnam eVisa application:- Valid passport:
- Expiry date at least 6 months after your planned arrival date in Vietnam
- At least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps
- No damage — Vietnamese border authorities have denied entry to travelers with damaged passports, including British nationals. If your passport shows wear, renew it before traveling.
- Must be the same passport you will use to enter and exit Vietnam
- Digital passport photo:
- Recent photo (taken within the last 6 months)
- White or light background
- Face clearly visible, no glasses, no hat
- JPEG format, minimum 300 DPI
- File size typically under 2MB
- Passport scan (biographical data page):
- Clear scan or high-quality photo of the page with your photo and personal details
- All text must be legible
- Payment method:
- Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or bank transfer)
- $25 USD for single entry or $50 USD for multiple entry
- Email address:
- Your approved eVisa PDF will be sent to this address
- Use an email you check regularly
- Travel dates and entry/exit points:
- You must select your intended entry and exit points during the application
- These cannot be changed after approval — choose carefully
How to Apply for a Vietnam eVisa: Step-by-Step
Apply for a Vietnam eVisa entirely online at evisa.gov.vn in 5 steps: create an account, fill in personal details, upload documents, pay the fee, and download your approved PDF. The Vietnam eVisa application takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. Follow these steps: Step 1: Go to the Official Portal Visit evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn — these are the only two official Vietnam eVisa portals (updated November 2024). Select “Apply for e-visa” and create an account with your email address. Step 2: Fill in Your Personal Information Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport:- Full name (surname and given name)
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality (current and any previous nationalities)
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
- Intended entry and exit dates
- Entry and exit points (select from the dropdown list)
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, family visit)
- Single entry: $25 USD
- Multiple entry: $50 USD
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
The most common Vietnam eVisa rejection reasons are name mismatches between the application and passport, low-quality photos, and selecting the wrong entry/exit points. Avoid these frequent errors:- Name mismatch: Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport — including middle names, hyphens, and accents. Even minor discrepancies cause rejection.
- Low-quality photo or scan: Blurry, dark, or incorrectly sized images are rejected automatically. Use a scanner or a well-lit, high-resolution phone camera.
- Wrong entry/exit points: Your eVisa is locked to the ports you select. If you plan to enter by air at Hanoi and exit by land, select both correctly. You cannot change these after approval.
- Incorrect travel dates: Your eVisa validity starts on the date you select, not the approval date. If you select a start date in the past, the eVisa will be invalid on arrival.
- Applying too late: Apply at least 2 weeks before travel to allow for the standard 4-day processing plus buffer time for any requested updates.
Vietnam eVisa Cost and Fees
A Vietnam eVisa costs $25 USD for single entry or $50 USD for multiple entry, paid online by bank transfer — the fee is non-refundable if the application is refused.| Visa Type | Cost | Validity | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | $25 USD | Up to 90 days | 90 days |
| Multiple Entry | $50 USD | Up to 90 days | 90 days per entry |
- Fees are set by the Vietnam Immigration Department and are the same regardless of nationality
- Payment is made online during the application process (credit/debit card or bank transfer)
- The fee is non-refundable — if your application is refused or you withdraw it, you will not receive a refund
- There are no additional government fees for the eVisa itself
- There is no expedited processing option — all applications go through the standard 3–4 working day process
Vietnam eVisa Processing Time
Vietnam eVisa processing takes up to 4 working days (Vietnam time); if the Immigration Department requests additional information, allow 4 more working days from the date you respond. Standard processing timeline:- Normal processing: Results by the end of the 4th working day (Vietnam time, GMT+7)
- If update/modification requested: An additional 4 working days from the first working day after you submit the correction
- Total maximum: Up to 8 working days in cases requiring additional information
- Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your travel date to allow for standard processing plus any unexpected delays
- Vietnamese public holidays affect processing times — major holidays include Reunification Day (April 30), International Labor Day (May 1), National Day (September 2), and Tết (Lunar New Year, January/February). Avoid applying immediately before these periods.
- There is no expedited or rush processing option for the Vietnam eVisa
- The Vietnam Immigration Department does not provide a specific approval time — only the 4-working-day maximum
- Check your email and the portal regularly after submission; the Department may request additional documents
Vietnam eVisa Validity: Entry Points and Stay Duration
A Vietnam eVisa is valid for up to 90 days from the start date you select, but restricts you to the specific entry and exit points chosen during the application. The Vietnam eVisa validity works as follows:- Start date: The date you select during the application (not the approval date)
- End date: Up to 90 days from the start date
- Maximum stay: 90 days per entry
- Entry/exit restriction: You must enter and exit Vietnam through the specific ports you selected when applying
Which Entry Points Accept the Vietnam eVisa?
Vietnam eVisa is accepted at 58 international entry points, including major airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang), land borders, and seaports. Major airports accepting the Vietnam eVisa:- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) — Hanoi
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) — Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
- Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) — Nha Trang
- Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)
- Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) — Hai Phong
- Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) — Hue
- Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) — Da Lat
Can You Extend or Renew a Vietnam eVisa?
You cannot extend a Vietnam eVisa from inside Vietnam; to get a new eVisa, you must exit the country and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type through the Immigration Department. This is one of the most important rules that catches travelers off guard:- No in-country extension: The Vietnam eVisa cannot be extended while you are in Vietnam
- Re-entry rule: If you obtained a new eVisa while already in Vietnam, you must exit the country and re-enter for the new eVisa to become active
- Alternative for longer stays: If you need to stay beyond 90 days, contact the Vietnam Immigration Department directly or work with a local sponsor/employer to apply for a different visa category (e.g., temporary residence card)
- Overstay consequences: Overstaying your eVisa results in a fine, potential deportation, and a ban from future entry into Vietnam
Vietnam eVisa vs Visa on Arrival vs Visa-Free Entry
The Vietnam eVisa is the most flexible option for most travelers: applied online, costs $25–$50, allows 90 days — compared to visa on arrival (requires pre-approval letter) or visa-free entry (limited to 12 nationalities, 45 days).| Feature | Vietnam eVisa | Visa on Arrival | Visa-Free Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | All nationalities | Selected nationalities | 12 countries only |
| Application | Online (evisa.gov.vn) | Pre-approval letter + airport processing | No application needed |
| Cost | $25–$50 | $25–$50 + stamping fee | Free |
| Max stay | 90 days | 30–90 days | 45 days |
| Entry type | Single or multiple | Single or multiple | Any |
| Processing time | 3–4 working days | 2–5 business days (letter) | Instant on arrival |
| Embassy visit | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Entry points | 58 international points | Air only (major airports) | All entry points |
- Vietnam eVisa — Best for most travelers. Fully online, no embassy visit, 90 days, all nationalities eligible.
- Visa on arrival — Requires obtaining a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agency before departure, then paying a stamping fee at the airport. More complex and only available at major airports. Less convenient than eVisa.
- Visa-free entry — If you hold a passport from one of the 12 exempt countries (Germany, France, UK, Japan, South Korea, etc.) and your stay is 45 days or less, you need no visa at all. Simply arrive and get your passport stamped.
2026 Updates: Digital Arrival Card and New Portal
From April 15, 2026, travelers entering Vietnam via Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport are encouraged to complete a Digital Arrival Card online before arrival — a requirement that may become mandatory at all airports. Two significant changes affect travelers to Vietnam in 2026.Digital Arrival Card (April 2026)
From April 15, 2026, the Vietnamese Government has introduced a Digital Arrival Card system for travelers entering through Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Key facts:- Currently encouraged but not mandatory at SGN airport
- Replaces the traditional paper arrival card
- Must be completed online before arrival
- The system may be rolled out to other Vietnamese airports with limited notice
- May become mandatory in the future — check the latest requirements before travel
New Official eVisa Portal Domains (November 2024)
From November 11, 2024, the Vietnam eVisa system operates on two new official domains:- https://evisa.gov.vn (primary)
- https://thithucdientu.gov.vn (secondary)
What Happens If Your Vietnam eVisa Is Refused?
If your Vietnam eVisa application is refused, the $25 or $50 fee is non-refundable; you can reapply after correcting the issue, or apply for a traditional embassy visa as an alternative. Common reasons for refusal:- Name or personal details do not match the passport exactly
- Passport validity is less than 6 months from the intended arrival date
- Passport has fewer than 2 blank pages
- Low-quality or non-compliant photo or document scan
- Applicant falls under entry restriction categories (Article 8 of Vietnam’s immigration law)
- Incorrect or inconsistent travel information
- Review the refusal reason — The Immigration Department will indicate why the application was refused.
- Correct the issue — Fix the specific problem (e.g., renew your passport, retake your photo, correct your name).
- Reapply — Submit a new application at evisa.gov.vn with the corrected information and pay the fee again.
- Consider embassy visa — If you are repeatedly refused or fall under restricted categories, contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate to apply for a traditional sticker visa.
Important: The Vietnam Immigration Department does not provide detailed explanations for all refusals.If you believe your refusal was in error, you can reapply or contact the Department directly. The Vietnamese Embassy in your country cannot assist with eVisa portal applications or refusals — this is handled exclusively by the Immigration Department.