Visa for Vietnam – Update Aug 2023

I.              Vietnam visa exemption – Vietnam visa-free countries list

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.

Now, let’s go into details about the Vietnam visa exemption policy.

What is Vietnam Visa Exemption?

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).

Those who enter Vietnam under visa exemption will get the exemption stamp as follows on their passport:

Vietnam Visa Exemption countries & Duration

As of August 2023, regular passport holders of 25 countries DO NOT need a visa for Vietnam. Here is the full list of Vietnam visa free countries and duration:

Important notes regarding Vietnam visa exemption:

–          British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are not eligible for the 15-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 March 15, 2021) is provided for informational purposes only, please double-check with the official authorities in your current country before departure.

Other Vietnam Visa Exemption Cases

1.      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 : Requirements for Phu Quoc Visa Exemtion. To enter Phu Quoc with no visa, visitors must meet the requirements below:

–          Your passport must be valid for 6 months since your arrival date or else you should renew it prior to taking the trip to Phu Quoc.

–          You must fly from an international country to Phu Quoc via the Phu Quoc International Airport. This applies to direct, indirect and layover flights, where your final destination along the route is Phu Quoc. The onward destination could be any country, except Vietnam.

–          Your stay on the island must be less than 30 days. You must provide proof (return airplane ticket, cruise ship departure date, etc.) that you will be leaving Phu Quoc Island within 30 days in order to be granted a “Visa Exemption Stamp”.

–          You have not been extradited from Vietnam in the past.

–          You are not on the wanted person list of Interpol.

–          You travel to Phu Quoc by sea (ship or cruise) or by air (airplane), not by land border.

2.      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. 

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.
• Apply for a 90-day Vietnam evisa to enter the country

II.        Vietnam e Visa guide

Vietnam e visa (Vietnam eVisa) is a simple online process for applying for a valid visa to Vietnam. Payment and delivery of Vietnam evisa is completely done online, and normally takes 3 working days (Vietnam Time = GMT+7, excluding Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays in Vietnam).

This post will tell you all the things about this type of visa for Vietnam.

But before getting started, please keep you updated that:

–          You can apply for a Vietnam evisa good for up to 90 days, single or multiple entries from August 15, 2023

–          Vietnam evisa is now opened to citizens of all countries and territoriesl.

Now, let’s go into details about current eVisa for Vietnam.

What is Vietnam eVisa?

Vietnam e visa or Vietnam electronic visa (symbolized as EV) has been introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department since February 2, 2017. This kind of Vietnamese visa is applied for and issued online.

Vietnam evisa country list

As mentioned above, under Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP dated August 14, 2023, Evisa Vietnam is now available for citizens of all countries and territories who wish to stay in Vietnam for no more than 90 days.

???? Source: https://en.baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-to-grant-e-visas-to-all-foreign-arrivals-from-mid-august-15-111230814204544133.htm

Applicable Ports of Entry for Vietnam eVisa online

Holders of an evisa Vietnam are allowed to enter the country through one of the following 33 ports. Your entry checkpoint must be exact, otherwise, your entry could be refused.

Vietnam evisa official website

The Public Service Portal – Ministry of Public Security is the official website for Vietnam evisa.

The eVisa for Vietnam will be applied through either of the following 2 official links, depending on who submit the applicapplica

–          https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/bocongan/bothutuc/tthc?matt=26276 for guaranteeing agencies and organizations, and

–          https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/bocongan/bothutuc/tthc?matt=26277 for individual foreigners

Other websites with evisa service are commercial ones that will work on your information, submit your evisa application via this official website, speed up your evisa processing (if required), track your evisa status, download the evisa letter, and send it to your email.

Vietnam eVisa Requirements

To apply for an Evisa for Vietnam, you must make sure that:

1. Your passport is valid for at least 6 months following arrival date and has at least 02 blank pages;

2. You have a soft copy of a passport-size photo

3. You have soft copies of your passport personal data page which must be full and clear;

4. You have an exact entry port;

5. You have a credit/debit card to make payment online for e-visa fee, (American Express card is not accepted).

Vietnam eVisa processing time

How long does Vietnam evisa take? It normally takes 03 working days to receive the e-visa letter; however, the processing time may be affected by a large number of applicants or public holidays. As such, you should consider applying for this kind of visa 1-2 weeks before departure.

Vietnam eVisa cost

An e-visa for Vietnam costs you 25 USD for a single entry evisa or 50 USD for a multiple entry evisa. This fee is not refunded if your application is refused or your visa letter contains any wrong details which have been provided by you in the application form.

Vietnam Evisa Extension

You cannot extend a Vietnam e-visa now. In case you wish to remain in Vietnam after your e-visa expiry date, you are highly recommended to leave Vietnam for a neighboring country and then come back with a new evisa. This way is known as the Vietnam visa run.