How Long Should Your Passport Be Valid for a Vietnam e-Visa?

Validity of a passport is one of the most important requirements when you want to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa). In many countries, a common requirement is that your passport be valid for at least six (6) months from your planned date of entry; however, requirements vary by destination and nationality, and some countries accept shorter validity (e.g., 3 months) or simply require the passport to be valid for the entire stay.

Why is a 6-month passport validity rule important?

This is a common requirement (often called the ‘six-month rule’), but it is not universal. This is mainly to prevent the possibility of a traveler having his or her passport expire in the country he is visiting or soon after, hence complicating or even failing to leave or contact his embassy.

If your destination applies the six-month rule, then, for example, if you plan to enter on January 1, your passport should be valid at least until July 1. If your destination applies a three-month rule (e.g., some Schengen cases), adjust accordingly. Otherwise, your e-Visa application may be refused during processing, or you may be denied boarding/entry. Some systems check validity automatically, but not all.

Do all countries follow the 6-month validity rule?

No. Many do, but not all. Some countries require only 3 months beyond the intended stay or departure (e.g., the Schengen Area generally requires at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date for many non-EU nationals), while others require the passport to be valid for the entire stay.

Visa-exempt arrangements do not necessarily use the six-month rule. For example, the Schengen Area generally requires a passport valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date (and other conditions may apply), so always check the official rules for your nationality.

Therefore, before applying for an e-Visa, it is essential to:

• Check the official government or immigration website of the destination country.
• Confirm the passport validity requirement for citizens of your specific nationality.
• Renew your passport in advance if it is close to expiring within the next six months.

What happens if my passport expires sooner?

If your passport will expire within the next six months, you should renew it before applying, or verify whether your destination accepts shorter validity. Airlines and border officers can refuse boarding/entry if the requirement isn’t met, even if an e-Visa was approved. There are those countries that are more strict with the validity rule at their borders, and the immigration officer can refuse entry to you even though your visa is approved, in case your passport fails to comply with the requirement.

In addition, some e-Visa systems are automated and may block submission if the passport doesn’t meet the minimum validity; others may accept the application, but it can be rejected later.

Final tip

To minimize risk, aim for at least six months of passport validity unless your destination specifies a different rule (e.g., 3 months beyond departure in some regions). Always confirm the requirements on the official embassy/immigration website for your nationality.

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