Vietnam e-Visa – How to apply 90 day Vietnam Visa

Who needs a Vietnam e-visa?

Previously, Vietnam offered a visa on arrival program, where travelers had to obtain an approval letter from a local travel agency and complete the visa process upon arrival at the airport. This program has been discontinued and replaced with the more streamlined Vietnam e-visa system, which allows travelers to apply online before departure.

However, Vietnam has also introduced visa exemptions in recent years, allowing citizens of certain countries to enter Vietnam visa-free for a limited number of days. These exemptions apply mainly to:

• Most Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
• 11 countries in Europe, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

See the whole visa exception list here.

If you are from countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you do not qualify for visa-free entry. Travelers from these countries must obtain a Vietnam visa, and the easiest way to do so is through the official Vietnam e-visa portal.

The options of Vietnam e-visa

1) Duration of the e-visa

Currently, the Vietnam e-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days (3 months). However, this does not mean you automatically receive 90 days; the validity depends on the dates you provide when applying. You can specify the duration of your stay, up to the 90-day limit, so it’s important to plan carefully when completing the application.

2) Single-entry and multiple-entry options

The Vietnam e-visa now offers both single-entry and multiple-entry options:

• Single-entry: This allows you to enter Vietnam once. If you leave the country, even within the visa’s validity period, you will need to apply for a new e-visa to re-enter.
• Multiple-entry: This option allows you to leave and re-enter Vietnam multiple times within the validity of your e-visa (up to 90 days). This is particularly useful for travelers who plan to visit neighboring countries and return to Vietnam without the hassle of reapplying for a visa.

When filling out the e-visa application, be sure to select the correct option (single or multiple-entry) based on your travel plans.

3) Countries that can apply

Most nationalities are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa. However, there are still a few countries—mainly in Africa and some other regions—that are not included in the e-visa program.

To ensure you’re eligible, it’s recommended to:

• Check the list of eligible countries on the official Vietnamese Immigration website: https://evisa.gov.vn.
• Alternatively, you can confirm eligibility during the e-visa application process by selecting your nationality.

If your country is not eligible for the e-visa, you may need to explore alternative visa options through an embassy or a trusted visa agent.

Arrival options

The Vietnam e-visa offers several options for entry, including all international airports and some sea ports. It’s worth noting that while the most frequented used land borders among tourists do accept the Vietnam e-visa, it’s not a universal option for all land borders. In other words, not all land borders permit entry with the e-visa

1) Airports

2) Landports

3) Seaport

Applying for a Vietnam e-Visa

Step 1: Website to apply for Vietnam e-Visa

If you’re planning to apply for a Vietnam e-visa, it’s essential to know that you can apply directly through the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Service. By visiting https://evisa.gov.vn/, you can access the online application form and complete the process in a few easy steps.

While you may come across various visa agencies online, it’s not necessary to use their services. Applying through these agencies can be more expensive and time-consuming, as they typically use the same official website to process your application. By applying directly through the official website, you can save time and money while ensuring a hassle-free process. So, be sure to visit the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Service to apply for your Vietnam e-visa.

Step 2: The e-visa form

When filling out the e-visa application form, you will need to provide your passport information, personal details, and trip details. For the “Intended temporary residential address in Viet Nam” section, you can enter the hotel you plan to stay at on your first day or an intended hotel if you have not yet made a booking. The “Intended length of stay in Viet Nam (number of days)” must be 90 days or less.

Step 3: Payment

The payment can be done via a Vietnamese payment gateway accepting most international credit cards.

Common mistakes when applying for a Vietnam e-visa

When applying for a Vietnam e-visa, even small mistakes can cause delays or result in an invalid visa. Here is a list of the most common errors and how to avoid them:

1. Name entered incorrectly

This is one of the most frequent mistakes. Always enter your full name exactly as it appears in the ICAO line of your passport’s details page (the line at the bottom of the page with symbols like <<>>).

• If you have two surnames, but only one is in the ICAO line, enter only the surname listed there.
• Any small mistake, such as a missing letter or extra space, will make your e-visa invalid—even if it gets approved.

2. Validity of your passport

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Vietnam. If it expires earlier, your visa will not be approved, or you may be denied entry at the border.

3. Apply on time

Always apply for your e-visa at least one month in advance. This allows extra time in case of:

• Delays due to public holidays or weekends in Vietnam.
• Errors that require you to reapply.

4. Passport number errors

Errors in your passport number are critical. Double-check for mistakes like confusing the letter ‘O’ with the number ‘0’ or other similar characters.

• Example: In most passports, the number 0 is used, not the letter ‘O’.
• If your e-visa is issued with the wrong passport number, it is still invalid, and you will be denied entry. Always verify your entry carefully before submitting.

5. Photo quality

Uploading a poor-quality photo is another common issue. Follow these guidelines for your e-visa photo:

• Use a clear, recent portrait photo. Avoid scanning your passport photo and cropping it—it often results in low quality.
• Ensure the file size is not too large (under 5 MB).

Tip: If your photo is too large, you can use online tools like Adobe Resize or even send it to yourself via WhatsApp to reduce the file size.

6. No glasses in your photo

When taking your photo or selfie for the e-visa:

• Remove glasses.
• Face the camera directly.
• Use a plain background for clarity.

Photos that do not meet these requirements may cause your application to be rejected.

7. Correct date format

The Vietnam e-visa form uses the day-month-year date format (dd-mm-yyyy). This can be confusing for travelers from countries that use the month-day-year format (mm-dd-yyyy). Double-check your dates before submitting the form.

8. Using the wrong website

Some applicants still use the outdated website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/, which has been replaced. If you use this old site, you may receive an error like “Operation failed. Call the admin.”

To avoid this, always apply through the new official website: https://evisa.gov.vn.

9. Payment failed

Some users experience payment errors such as: “The payment failed, please recreate profile and retry payment.”

Solutions to resolve this issue include:

• Using a different browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).
• Switching to a different device (laptop or phone).
• Using an incognito browser window.
• Trying again after a short delay.

10. No response after many days

If you haven’t received any response within the standard 3-5 working days, here’s what to check:

1. Vietnamese public holidays: Visa processing does not occur on holidays. Check here Vietnamese holidays calvietnam.nl/holidays.
2. Spam folder: Sometimes e-visa approval emails end up in spam.
3. Portal status: Log in to the e-visa portal using the code you received during your application to manually check your visa’s status.

If you’ve missed an error notification, correct the mistake and reapply as needed.

Receiving your Vietnam e-Visa

1) 3 to 4 working days

After you submit your application, you will also receive a link to track the progress of your visa. It typically takes 3 to 4 working days to receive your Vietnam e-visa.

It’s important to note that the Vietnam Immigration Department only works on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 08:00-11:30 and 13:30-16:00. It’s advisable to apply well in advance to allow enough time for processing and to avoid any potential delays. Once your e-visa is approved, you’ll receive it via email.

2) Mistakes in you applications

If you make a mistake in your e-visa application, don’t worry too much as you will receive an email notifying you of the mistake. Through the same link where you can track your visa application, you can edit and correct the mistake. However, keep in mind that this may add an additional 3 to 4 working days to the processing time, so the entire process from correction to approval may take anywhere from 4 to 8 working days.

3) National Holidays in Vietnam

As we mentioned earlier, e-visa processing is only done on working days, which means no visas are processed during national holidays. For instance, during Tet Holiday, typically celebrated in either January or February, the immigration is closed for a full week. Therefore, it is essential to apply well in advance if you plan to visit Vietnam during or right after that time to avoid any inconvenience.

4) Example Vietnam E-visa

To see an example of a Vietnam e-visa or verify the authenticity of your e-visa, please check the image below.

How to use your Vietnam e-Visa

1) Arrival

Upon arrival in Vietnam, E-Visa holders are required to present a printed copy of their e-Visa along with a valid passport at the immigration checkpoint. It’s important to note that there are no additional fees to be paid upon arrival as the e-Visa fee covers all entry costs.

2) Departure

When departing Vietnam, it’s important to keep your e-visa with you as you might need to present it at the checkpoint again. It’s recommended not to discard the e-visa after the initial arrival checkpoint, as you will need it again for departure. In case you lose the e-visa during your trip, you can print it again from the email you received after approval.

Emergency e-visa request

If you’ve just realized you need a visa for Vietnam and your departure is imminent, or if your e-visa is still processing due to delays caused by holidays, weekends, or application errors, there’s still a solution. You can request an urgent e-visa through visa agents. These agents work directly with Vietnamese immigration to process your visa offline within a few hours.

Keep in mind that this service is subject to immigration working hours and comes with additional fees for the expedited process.

At Local Vietnam, we offer emergency visa services to help you get your e-visa on time and avoid missing your flight. Each case is reviewed individually to ensure it’s feasible.

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