Vietnam Visa FAQs - Visa Frequently Asked Questions

In the process of obtaining a Vietnam visa (particularly e-Visa or Visa on Arrival), the number of passports provided should be the same as the number indicated in the passport. Vietnam’s immigration system uses this number as a critical identifier to: Verify your identity. Match your visa to your passport. Prevent fraudulent entries. If your visa approval letter, e-Visa, or visa sticker carries a passport number that doesn’t match your actual passport, you could face: Refusal of boarding by the airline. Denial of entry at the Vietnam border. Time-consuming delays and additional costs to correct the issue. What to do if you’ve entered the wrong passport number 1. Check when you discovered the error Before submission: When you realize that you have made the error before hitting the submit button on the internet form, just correct the error and move on. Once you have submitted but before you have received your visa: Contact the visa agency or Vietnam Immigration Department or the agency that issued your visa. Other systems can be edited when the visa has yet to be processed. Once a visa is issued: It is more complex once you have already been given the wrong passport number and it has been issued as a visa or a letter of approval. 2. If you have an e-visa with the wrong number An e-Visa with the wrong passport number is not valid. Vietnamese immigration officers will likely deny entry because your details do not match. What you should do: Apply for a new e-Visa with the correct passport details. Pay the visa fee again, as fees are non-refundable. Allow sufficient processing time (usually around 3 working days). Don’t risk trying to enter Vietnam with the incorrect e-Visa - it’s almost certain you’ll be turned away. 3. If your VOA approval letter has the wrong number If you received a Visa on Arrival approval letter with the wrong passport number, it’s also invalid. Airlines may refuse to let you board your flight. Steps to fix it: Contact the visa agency who issued your approval letter immediately. Request them to correct the mistake and issue a new letter. Pay any additional service fees, as most agencies consider this a new application. Never try to travel with an incorrect VOA letter; Vietnamese authorities are strict about passport number accuracy. 4. If your embassy-issued visa is wrong In case you have applied at an embassy or a consulate and the visa sticker contained the wrong passport number: Immediately contact the embassy/consulate. They are also able to cancel the wrong visa and give them a corrected one in many instances. Further charges can be incurred. Do not carry a visa with mis-fitting details because your entrance might be denied. Important tips Make sure you recheck all the information just before submitting your application in particular passport number, full name and date of birth. Save a copy of your visa documents so that errors can be identified in time. Leave some time of error fixing, particularly the high travel periods. Conclusion Once you have put in the wrong number of the passport you are applying for a Vietnam visa, do not panic but on the other hand, do not leave it. Before traveling, it is necessary to rectify the errors. Depending on the type of your visa, you will have to: Apply a new e-Visa. Apply to obtain a corrected VOA approval letter. Make contact with the embassy to re-issue a visa. At all costs, act fast to prevent heavy delays or denials at the border. Send me the details of your condition and I will advise you more on what you need to do next!

A misconception that is mostly held by other travelers is that they can just come to Vietnam and get a visa directly at the airport without submitting any paperwork. But it is not so with most nationalities. Visa on Arrival (VOA) is the program applied in Vietnam; this implies that in this country to take a flight, travelers must obtain a pre-approval letter. In absence of this document, airlines may refuse to board you and Vietnamese immigration authorities will not provide a visa on arrival to you. What is the pre-approval letter? The pre-approval letter is a letter of approval provided to a foreigner by the Vietnamese Immigration Department, typified by a registered travel or visa agent in Vietnam. Why it’s needed: Confirms that you’ve been granted permission to receive a visa upon arrival. Acts as your “entry ticket” to board the plane. Given to immigration officials at the Vietnam airport to stamp your visa. Without it, you are not able to board your flight or get a visa at the airport. Can any traveler get a visa without a pre-approval letter? At the moment, not a single visitor of a country that needs a visa can simply appear in Vietnam and ask to have his/her visa stamped. The only exceptions are: Citizens of those countries in Vietnam visa exemption agreements, which allows them to visit Vietnam a certain number of days without a visa. The examples are citizens of some ASEAN countries, Korea, Japan and some European countries in short stay. Travelers who hold a valid 5-year Visa Exemption Certificate (for Overseas Vietnamese). Unless you are subject to exemptions, you are required to hold an e-Visa or a pre-approval letter concerning VOA prior to your arrival. Why airlines won’t let you fly without the approval letter Airlines are responsible for ensuring passengers have the proper documents before departure. If you show up at check-in without: A visa sticker in your passport An e-Visa printout A pre-approval letter for VOA The airline may refuse boarding to avoid penalties from Vietnamese immigration authorities. Alternatives to visa on arrival Instead of relying on VOA, consider: 1. Vietnam e-Visa Available to citizens of over 80 countries. Valid for up to 90 days. No pre-approval letter required - just apply online, print your e-Visa and bring it with you. Faster and simpler than VOA. 2. Visa from Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate Obtain a visa sticker in your passport before you travel. No pre-approval letter needed. Recommended for longer stays, business trips, or those ineligible for e-Visas. Important tip for travelers Never fly to Vietnam assuming you’ll get a visa at the airport without prior approval. This could result in denied boarding or being turned away upon arrival. Always confirm your visa status before you travel. Conclusion You cannot go to Vietnam without an approval letter and then just apply for a visa on the spot. You have to either possess an e-Visa, a regular visa that is already in the passport, or a pre-approval notice of Visa on Arrival unless you are a holder of a visa-exempt country. In order to have the easiest time possible, it is always good to get up to speed with the most up-to-date regulations or consult a reliable visa agency or the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country. Do you mind telling me your nationality and travel plans and I will assist you to secure the most appropriate solution!

Although you were born in Vietnam and your nationality is now a foreign country, then you will be regarded as an overseas Vietnamese. Vietnam values the special status of the overseas Vietnamese and offers you special visa types and exemptions. Option 1: 5-year visa exemption certificate One of the best benefits for Overseas Vietnamese is the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate, often called the “Visa waiver". Key features: Valid for 5 years from the date of issue. (Each stay can last up to 180 days.) Allows multiple entries into Vietnam. Saves money and time compared to applying for single-entry visas repeatedly. Requirements: Application form (available from the embassy/consulate or online). Valid foreign passport (minimum 6 months validity). 2-3 recent passport photos. Proofs of prior Vietnamese citizenship (old Vietnamese passport, birth certificate, family record book, or other Vietnamese documents of parents). Application fee (generally 10-50 USD). Processing time: It can take between a few working days and up to 2 weeks. Option 2: Applying for a Vietnam e-Visa As of August 15, 2023, Vietnam has expanded its e-Visa program to citizens of all countries and territories. As an Overseas Vietnamese with foreign nationality, you can apply if your new nationality is eligible. e-Visa Details: Valid for up to 90 days. Single or multiple entries. Completely online via the official Vietnamese Immigration site. Cost: approximately USD 25–50. It is ideal when one is on a short trip such as holidays or a business meeting. Important: Since August 15, 2023, all nationalities are eligible to apply for the Vietnam e-Visa. Please ensure that your passport is valid and your travel purpose is compatible with e-Visa regulations. Option 3: Visa on arrival (VOA) While Visa on Arrival (VOA) is still available for air travelers, most visitors now prefer the e-Visa due to its convenience and official online process. How VOA works: Obtain a pre-approval letter from a licensed Vietnamese travel agency before your trip. Show the letter at the airport in Vietnam. Pay a stamping fee upon arrival. However, the e-Visa is often simpler and faster for most travelers. Option 4: Visa from embassy or consulate If you’re not eligible for an e-Visa or Visa Exemption, you’ll need to apply directly at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. You’ll need: A valid foreign passport. Visa application form. Passport photos. Supporting documents for the purpose of your trip (e.g., business invitation, work permit). Payment of visa fees. Important tips for overseas Vietnamese Never lose documents that can verify your Vietnamese genealogy- these can get you an exemption or relaxed visa application. Rules may vary; access official websites or call the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in your country, to get the latest information. It is strongly advisable that you carry along with you the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate in case you would like to require frequent visits. Conclusion As an Overseas Vietnamese, you will have a good alternative of entering Vietnam with a 5-year visa exemption, e-Visa, VOA or regular visa. Thinking over the most appropriate type of visa, it is better to think of the frequency of visits to the country, duration of staying there and the nationality you are at the moment. To proceed, please consult the Vietnam Immigration Department’s official website or contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for personalized guidance based on your nationality and travel plan.

People who want to visit Vietnam often wonder if they have to declare any previous violations when they apply for a visa. The requirements change depending on the violation and what is required in the visa application. Here’s a quick look at the current situation and the important points to remember.

If you are on a tour and living in different parts of Vietnam for a short time, you must declare your temporary addresses to the Vietnamese authorities. The process is not complicated, but it’s important to go through each step so you don’t face legal difficulties during your time in the country. Here’s what you need to do:

No, you cannot obtain an eVisa once you are already in Vietnam. Travelers must obtain an eVisa before they go to Vietnam. Anyone going to Vietnam for tourism or job-related reasons gets a tourist visa.

Make sure to enter your name exactly as directed on the form for your electronic visa to Vietnam, so your application runs smoothly. A lot of candidates wonder if they should put their middle name in the name area when filling out the application. It depends on the format and rules that the visa application system gives you. This is a tutorial to help you understand how to write your name correctly on the Vietnam eVisa application form.

To receive an electronic visa (eVisa) for Vietnam, applicants must fulfill specific prerequisites and requirements. The procedure is quick and may be done fully online, which is ideal for travelers. Next, we will explain what is required to get an eVisa and share the length of the visa.

If you are planning to visit Vietnam using an electronic visa (eVisa), visit https://vietnamvisacorp.com/ for the application. You can conveniently apply for a visa through this platform which makes everything fast and straightforward. Now, most people can use the website to apply for a Vietnamese visa without visiting an embassy or consulate. Submitting the required documents and completing the form through the website helps you handle everything at home and saves you time.

There are no official age limits for visa applicants in Vietnam. No matter how young or old a person is, they can apply for a visa.