3 steps to check which visa you need for Vietnam
Arranging your visa can be one of the most stressful parts of travelling. With a seemingly endless amount of information to sift through. It feels far from straightforward.
But don't let these logistics take up your valuable time – it's not fun! We've simplified the process into three easy steps.
Our guide will help you determine if you need a Vietnam visa, identify the right visa for you, and walk you through the application process.
Step 1: Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
Not everyone needs a visa to visit Vietnam. Passport holders from 25 countries can enjoy visa-free travel for a specified period.
Check the table below to see if your country is visa-exempt and how long you can stay in Vietnam without a visa (as of July 2024):
| Maximum stay | Exempted countries |
|---|---|
| 90 days | Chile, Panama |
| 45 days | Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK |
| 30 days | Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand |
| 21 days | Philippines |
| 14 days | Brunei, Myanmar |
If your country is not included in the visa exemption list, or if you want to stay longer than your visa-exempt period, you can apply for the e-visa and be granted a 90-day stay. Read Step 3 for detailed instructions.
Visiting Phu Quoc
Regardless of your nationality, if you only plan to visit Vietnam’s island paradise, Phu Quoc, you won’t need a visa. Thanks to a government initiative to boost tourism on the island, all foreign passport holders can visit Phu Quoc for up to 30 days without needing a visa.
Step 2: Which visa do you need for Vietnam?
If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, you’ll need to apply for a visa to visit Vietnam.
The type of Vietnam visa you should apply for depends on your purpose for visiting and the length of your stay.
Here are the most common visas you can apply for when visiting Vietnam:
| Type of visa | Purpose | Maximum stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (DL) | Tourist and recreational purposes | 90 days | $25 (single-entry) $50 (multiple-entry) |
| Business Visa (DN) | Business-related activities, including attending conferences, meetings, or trade fairs | 90 days | $25 (single-entry) $50 (multiple-entry) |
| Work Visa (DN/LD) | Visitors looking to work or conduct business with a Vietnamese company | 12 months | Start from $25 |
| Student or Internship Visa (DH) | Those who will study in a Vietnamese educational institution or do an internship | 12 months | Start from $25 |
| Transit Visa | If you must leave the airport’s international transit area to board another flight | 24 hours | $25 |
Step 3: How to apply for your Vietnam visa
As of August 2023, Vietnam's e-visa is available to all countries/territories worldwide. E-visas grant visitors a 90-day stay and allow single or multiple entries.
Visit the official E-Visa website
You can apply for your 90-day e-visa via the official e-visa website.
Visa fees
- A single-entry e-visa costs $25.
- For multiple entries, you’ll pay $50.
- International cards like Visa, Mastercard, and JCB are accepted.
Processing time
The application takes around three business days to process, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
What you’ll need to apply for your Vietnam E-Visa
Applying for your Vietnam visa has become a lot simpler. Here is what you’ll need to apply online:
Personal information:
- Purpose of your travel
- Name, age, nationality, passport information
- Dates of entry and departure
- Port of entry, etc.
Documents:
- Scanned copy or photograph of your passport page
- Passport-sized picture of yourself
Passport validity requirements:
- Validity: Must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay.
- Blank Pages: At least two blank pages are required.
- Condition: No damage; visitors with (heavily) damaged passports have been denied entry/exit.
Top tip: If you want to ensure that your photograph meets the requirements, you can check this official government page. Remember to use a white background, look straight at the camera, and remove your glasses if you wear them.
After submission
Receive your Vietnam visa: Once your visa has been granted, you’ll receive an email with a registration code needed to log in and check your visa status. You can open this page to check the status of your application.
Print your E-Visa: Make sure to print your e-visa to enter/exit Vietnam.
How to apply for other Vietnam visas
The application process is slightly different if you need to apply for a visa other than a tourist visa, such as a business or work visa.
If you want a business visa, you can apply online using the same e-visa portal.
Online application business visa (30 days):
- Select ‘business activities’ as your purpose for entry instead of tourism.
- Note: Applying online only grants you a 30-day visa. The price is the same as the tourist e-visa ($25 for single-entry, $50 for multiple-entry).
90-day Business Visa:
- To receive a business visa for up to 90 days, you can apply upon arrival at the immigration counter or at your nearest Vietnam embassy/consulate.
- You will need your sponsor company in Vietnam to provide you with a business visa sponsorship letter.
- Note: The business visa on arrival can only be obtained at the eight international airports in Vietnam.
Other visas
Looking for a work, student, or another type of Vietnam visa? These visas cannot be obtained online.
- For these visas, the entity sponsoring you (e.g., employer, educational institution) must submit the correct documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department on your behalf.
Ensure that your sponsoring entity is aware of and follows the necessary procedures to facilitate your visa application.
FAQ
Do I need proof of exit?
Options if You Don't Have an Exit Ticket:
1. Rent a Plane Ticket: For $16, Onward Ticket will book a real plane ticket for you that is valid for 48 hours. It’s a real and verifiable plane ticket.
2. Book a Bus Ticket: Purchase a cross-border bus ticket. For example from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, starting from 585,000 VND ($22).
What happens if I overstay my visa?
Here are the fines for overstaying:
Less than 16 days: $22-88
16 days to 30 days: $133-221
30 days to 60 days: $221-441
60 days to 90 days: $441-661
More than 90 days: $661-885)
How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost?
A single-entry e-visa for Vietnam costs $25. For multiple entries, the cost is $50.
