How long is a Vietnam tourist visa valid for?
The visa is valid for 15-30 days
A visa is activated the moment it is approved
Visitors can extend their visas once they arrive in Vietnam
Vietnam is a highly populated country in Southeast Asia with a rich history serving as a painful reminder of its war with the US. But there is more to Vietnam than its war past; the country is blessed with rich vegetation and a culture that will rival that of any other Asian country.
In recent times, the number of visitors that have visited the country has steadily increased as the government seeks to diversify the economy and grow its tourism industry. The drive to make Vietnam a tourist hub in the region has seen the creation and improvement of a special tourist visa and a business visa for foreign passport holders.
The new immigration laws have liberalized the application process making it easy for applicants to obtain a visa at short notice.
How Long is A Vietnam Visa Valid For?
A Vietnam visa is valid for two weeks to a month. The validity period difference depends on the visa type you apply for. You may opt for a 15-day or 30-day visa, but you can extend it once you arrive in Vietnam. There are two ways to obtain a Vietnam visa: the online method and the visa on arrival method.
We review both methods below.
The online Online Method
The online application method involves filling out the application form online. This electronic method is the easiest application route compared to the visa-on-arrival route. All you need is a smartphone connected to the internet. From the comfort of your home or office, you can complete the application form in under 30 minutes. So you don't need to visit the Vietnam embassy.
Visa on Arrival
The visa-on-arrival method is another visa application route to take. This method is for visitors from eligible countries that arrive at Ho Chi Minh airport without a visa. The visa application form will be issued to them at the airport's arrival lounge to fill out and submit. Approval is swift, but delays may occur on days with long queues.
Of the two methods, the online route is the easiest and fastest, and we recommend it to travelers who don't wish to be delayed at the airport.
A Vietnam visa Is valid for two weeks to a month. The validity period difference depends on the visa type you apply for. You may opt for a 15-day or a 30-day visa, but you can extend it once you arrive in Vietnam. There are two ways to obtain a Vietnam visa: the online method and the visa on arrival method.
Tourist Visa Exemptions
There are selected countries whose citizens are on the tourist visa exemption lists. Citizens of these countries don't require visas to enter Vietnam. Currently, there are about 24 countries on the tourist visa exemption list, many of which are European and Asian countries. Nationals from selected countries don't enjoy the same duration of stay; some nationals can stay for up to 14 or 15 days, some for 30 days, and others for 90 days.
Citizens from these countries can stay in Vietnam for the approved timeframe, after which they must apply for a visa if they don't wish to leave. Those who leave are allowed back into Vietnam but must wait for 30 days before re-entry.
Vietnam Visa Requirements
Visitors need the following to apply for a Vietnam visa.
Full Name: You must fill in your full name on the application form as it applies to your passport.
Nationality: Your nationality is required, including your date of birth.
Passport details: The passport number, date of issue, and expiry date.
Required Document
Valid Passport: A valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months. The validity is counted from the arrival date, not the application date.
Passport-sized picture: A passport-sized picture uploaded in the 4cmx6cm dimension. Only recently taken pictures on a plain, white background will be accepted. Avoid wearing glasses or making any facial expressions.
Visa fee receipt: The Vietnam visa fee receipt generated after paying the application fee to cover the Vietnam tourist visa cost.
Letter of invitation: A letter of invitation is required if you are invited to Vietnam by a sponsor. The Vietnam citizen or resident must provide their details and contact address in the approval letter. They must also clearly state the purpose of your visit if it is a Vietnam business visa.
Entry and Exit Form: This form is issued to visa-on-arrival applicants. It will be issued on the plane, and visitors must fill it out before they arrive in Vietnam. Immigration officers will demand the form at the port of entry.
How long is a Vietnam visa valid for depends on your application duration. Instead of waiting in long queues to apply for a visa on arrival, visit the VisaHQ portal now to complete the online form and obtain the visa before your trip.