After the pandemic, Vietnam has now opened its borders to foreign nationals. Now, foreigners can visit the spectacular Halong Bay, friendly Hanoi, or the majestic Ho Chi Minh city.
Yes, you can apply for a traditional paper or stamp visa to enter Vietnam. However, the faster and more convenient option for you is the Vietnam e-visa. Unlike a traditional travel document, an e-visa can be obtained from the comfort of one's home.
Types of Vietnam e-Visas
In 2017, the Vietnam Immigration Department started the e-visa system. This travel authorization was launched to make the visa application process simple and convenient. It is a short-term travel document that allows a holder to visit Vietnam legally without applying for a traditional visa.
Currently, the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers two types of e-visas, including:
Tourist Visa
If you want to enter Vietnam for tourism purposes, such as exploring the country, visiting friends or family members, or spending holidays in this beautiful country, you can apply for a tourist visa.
A Vietnam tourist visa is a single-entry travel document that permits holders to stay in the country for 30 days.
Business Visa
Alternatively, if international travelers want to enter Vietnam for professional and commercial activities, they must apply for a business e-visa. A business e-visa allows you to visit Vietnam to:
Enroll in a training program
Attend meetings and conferences
Meet with business associates
This one is also a single-entry visa that stays valid for 30 consecutive days.
Vietnam e-Visa Requirements
For different nationality holders, Vietnam has different visa policies. To get your travel authorization, you must provide some necessary documents, also known as the visa requirements.
For an e-visa, you don’t need dozens of documents. Instead, a handful of items can help you complete your visa application process. Some of the most basic documents that foreign nationals require to get a Vietnam e-visa are:
Valid Passport - You need to provide a copy of your passport data page. Make sure your passport stays valid for at least 6 more months. Also, check out that your passport has at least 2 blank pages for stamps.
E-mail Address - The applicant's email address will be linked electronically to their passport. Upon approval, they will get their e-visa via email.
Photograph - You need to provide a digital passport-type photograph with a white background. Make sure your photo was taken within the last 6 months.
Means of Payment - As this entire process is online, you'll need online payment options to pay the visa fees, such as a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account.
These are the most basic required documents to get an e-visa. Besides these, you might need some additional documents depending on your purpose of visit, such as:
Itinerary
Invitation letter
Business support letter
Proof of status
Proof of accommodation
Bank statement
As the Vietnam e-visa requirements are different for different countries, it's recommended to visit VisaHQ and check out the list of the required documents for your citizenship!
How to Apply for a Vietnam e-Visa Online?
Applying for a Vietnamese visa online is a straightforward process. As this entire system is designed to make the visa application process fast and convenient, you don’t need to visit the Vietnam embassy, follow complicated steps, or schedule a visa interview.
To get your Vietnam visa online, all you need do is:
Visit VisaHQ
Select your citizenship
Fill out the visa application form
Pay the e-visa fee
Submit your application with supporting documents
While filling out the visa application form, you need to be extra careful. You are required to provide personal, travel, contact, and passport details. Before you submit your application, make sure to double-check the provided information. This is because if there are errors or mistakes in your online form, your e-visa will more likely be delayed.
Afterward, the Vietnam embassy will process your application. Upon approval, you'll receive your e-visa via email!
Processing Time
The average processing time for a Vietnam e-visa, regardless of the type, is 3-5 business days. That being said, if there are errors in your application, you'll need to wait a little longer. Therefore, it's advised to apply for an e-visa at least 2 weeks prior to the intended date of departure.
Travel to Vietnam - Entry Requirements
Once you get your e-visa, you can pack your bag and travel to Vietnam. Keep in mind that an e-visa does not guarantee your entry to the country. The immigration officials have the final say.
To avoid complications, make sure to fulfill all the Vietnam entry requirements. You can enter Vietnam by air, land, and sea. Visit VisaHQ to find the entry point that allows you to enter the country using an electronic visa!