Visa to Vietnam

Online visa

 

General:

Vietnamese visa is a kind of travel documents granted by Vietnamese competent authorities, providing permission to travel to and enter Vietnam.

An electronic visa (E-visa) is one of visa types issued to foreigners by Vietnamese Immigration Department via electronic system. Vietnam E-visa is valid for maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry.

Outside Vietnam foreigners who want to enter Vietnam can personally apply for E-visa or through the requesting agencies and organizations.

E-visa fee is paid via electronic payment gateway as prescribed by the Immigration Department. The fee will not be refunded if the application is refused.

List of Ports that allowed foreigners enter and exit Vietnam by E-visa.

Conditions for being granted e-visa:

• Outside Vietnam foreigners;
• Holding valid passport;
• Not falling into the cases of suspension from entry prescribed in Article 21 of Law on foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, residence in Vietnam.

Selections:

1. For outside Vietnam foreigners, click here,
2. For requesting agencies, organizations, click here,
3. For airlines, click here.

Notes:

E-visa holders in Vietnam may be considered to get new visa if being invited/guaranteed by authority/organization/individual in Vietnam in accordance with Law on foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, residence in Vietnam.

Foreigners who entry Vietnam must comply with Vietnamese law.

Inviting/guaranteeing foreigners in accordance with section 1, Article 16, Law on foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, residence in Vietnam; can be applied through electronic system (click here).

Notice: Foreigners falling into the cases prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4, Article 8 of the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence in Vietnam, shall not apply for e-visa on this Website. They should send visa applications via the inviting or guaranteeing agencies and organizations to the competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Click for detail)

 

Free visa

 

Vietnam visa exemption

Also known as Vietnam visa waiver, or Vietnam visa free, means the case that a foreign national is allowed to enter Vietnam and stay in the country for a certain period of time without having to follow any Vietnam visa procedure as the Vietnam government has signed the bilateral/unilateral visa exemption agreement for his/her country.

This kind of visa exemption is completely different from a Vietnam visa exemption certificate (also known as Vietnam 5 years visa).

As officially announced, as of 2023, citizens of 25 countries can travel to Vietnam and remain in the country for 14 to 45 days (depending on nationality) without having to apply for a visa. To enter Vietnam those citizens only need a valid passport with at least 2 black pages. Full list of these countries can be found below.

 

Important notes regarding Vietnam visa exemption:

• The 30-day interval between 02 stays with visa exemption has been removed in accordance with the new law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam which takes effect on July 1, 2020.
• British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are not eligible for the 45-day Vietnam visa exemption. So, they need to apply for a visa to visit Vietnam.
• Visa exemption includes visa exemption for entry, exit and transit.
• The visa-free stay period is counted from the date of entry.

The above information about the Vietnam visa exemption (updated on November 23, 2023) is provided for informational purposes only, please double-check with the official authorities in your current country before departure.

Other Vietnam Visa Exemption Cases

• The 30-day visa exemption is granted to those entering the coastal economic zones decided by the Government when those zones meet the following conditions:
  • having an international airport,
  • having their own space;
  • having defined geographical boundaries and being separate from the mainland;
  • being in line with socio-economic development policies while posing no threat to the national defense, security, social order, and safety of Vietnam.

    So, Phu Quoc island is one of those zones. See our detailed guide on Phu Quoc visa exemption.

• APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders with valid passports are exempted from Vietnam visa requirements for a stay of no longer than 60 days. If you want to stay longer without leaving Vietnam, see exemption of Vietnam stay with ABTC.

Conditions for Making Vietnam Visa Exemption

To enter Vietnam with a Vietnam visa exemption, eligible travelers are required to ensure:

• their passport valid for at least 6 months following their date of arrival in Vietnam; and
• their passport has at least 02 blank pages.

Vietnam Visa Exemption Extension

Before Covid, the Vietnam visa exemption can be extended in Vietnam. However, it cannot be done today.

Those who want to further remain in Vietnam for longer than their allowed exemption duration may have 02 options as follows:

• Enter Vietnam with visa exemption, and then leave the country for a neighboring country (such as Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos) when the exemption duration ends and come back with a new visa exemption. This way of stay extension is called Visa Run. You can check its full details here.
• Apply for a 90-day Vietnam evisa to enter the country.