Vietnam visa requirements 2026: US$25 e‑visa, 3‑5 day processing

Quick answer: Vietnam visa requirements as of October 2026 mean that most travellers — including Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepali, Sri Lankan, Philippine, US, and Canadian citizens — must obtain a visa before travel. The cheapest and fastest option is the official e‑visa (US$25 single‑entry, US$50 multiple‑entry) applied at evisa.gov.vn, processed in 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival requires a pre‑approval letter from a licensed agency (extra US$10–30). E‑visas are non‑extendable; overstay fines start at US$25/day.

Vietnam visa requirements 2026: who needs a visa?

Vietnam maintains a 13‑country visa‑free list (Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, and a few others) granting stays of 15–45 days. None of the major South‑Asian, North American, or Southeast Asian passport holders are on that list. All must secure a visa — either an e‑visa, a visa on arrival (VOA) with a pre‑approval letter, or an embassy/consulate visa.

Vietnam visa requirements for Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepali, Sri Lankan, and Philippine citizens

Citizens of these countries are not eligible for visa‑free entry and must apply for a visa. The e‑visa is the most convenient route: the government fee is the same US$25 (single) or US$50 (multiple) for all nationalities. No additional reciprocity fees apply. For visa on arrival, the pre‑approval letter must be obtained from a Vietnamese agency before departure; the stamping fee at the airport is US$25 (single) or US$50 (multiple). Embassy visas are also available but typically cost more and require in‑person submission or courier service.

Vietnam e‑visa fee & processing time (2026)

The government fee is uniform for every eligible nationality — no reciprocal surcharges.

Third‑party agencies routinely add US$10–30 on top of the government fee for “assistance”. The only official site is evisa.gov.vn; any other domain charging the government fee is a commercial service. Payment on the official portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and JCB. Refunds are not issued if the application is rejected.

How to apply for a Vietnam e‑visa (step‑by‑step)

1. Go to evisa.gov.vn and choose “Apply for e‑visa”.
2. Fill in personal details exactly as they appear in your passport (name order, date of birth, passport number, nationality).
3. Upload a colour scan of the passport bio page (under 2 MB, JPEG/PNG) and a digital portrait photo meeting the specs below.
4. Select your intended port of entry — must be one of the designated international border gates (Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, etc.).
5. Pay the fee (US$25 or US$50) with Visa, MasterCard, or JCB.
6. Receive the approval PDF via email within 3–5 working days. Print it and carry it with your passport.

Tip: apply at least 7 calendar days before departure to allow for any delays. The system does not offer expedited processing.

Vietnam e‑visa photo requirements

• White or off‑white background, no shadows.
• Dimensions 4 cm × 6 cm (approx 472 × 709 px at 300 dpi).
• Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed.
• No glasses, headgear (unless religious), or heavy makeup.
• Face must occupy 70–80 % of the vertical height.
• File size ≤ 2 MB, JPEG/PNG.

Tip: use a plain‑wall selfie with a phone camera, then crop with a free tool (e.g., photoresizer.com) to meet the exact pixel dimensions. Many rejections come from photos that look fine on a phone but fail the automated check.

Visa on arrival (VOA) vs e‑visa: which to choose?

Why was my Vietnam e‑visa rejected?

Based on the Vietnam Immigration Department’s published rejection codes and experience handling South‑Asian applicants, the top reasons are:

1. Passport expiry < 6 months — the system auto‑rejects.
2. Mismatched data — name spelling, date of birth, or passport number differs from the scan.
3. Blurry or incomplete scans — corners cut off, glare on the MRZ line.
4. Incorrect port of entry selected — you must choose a designated international border gate that matches your actual arrival point.
5. Photo non‑compliance — glasses, wrong background, face too small.

If rejected, the fee is not refunded. Correct the error and re‑apply; a new payment is required. Keep a copy of the rejection email for reference.

Can I extend or convert a Vietnam e‑visa?

No. The e‑visa is strictly non‑extendable and non‑convertible. Overstaying incurs a fine of at least US$25 per day (often higher at land borders) and can lead to an exit ban of 1–5 years. For any stay beyond 90 days or for employment, you must secure a business visa (DN) sponsored by a Vietnamese employer and subsequently a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. As of October 2026 Vietnam has not introduced a dedicated short‑term skilled‑trade work visa.

Vietnam work visa for skilled trades: the legal route

Many electricians, welders, tile setters, plumbers, carpenters, truck drivers, chefs, HVAC technicians, and machine operators from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines ask whether an e‑visa lets them work. It does not. The legal route:

1. Secure a job offer from a Vietnamese company willing to sponsor you.
2. The employer applies for a business visa (DN) at the Vietnam Immigration Department or via the embassy.
3. After entry, the employer obtains a work permit (valid up to 2 years, renewable) from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. This requires a health check, criminal record clearance, and proof of qualifications.
4. With the work permit, you apply for a temporary residence card (TRC) for long‑term stay.

Recruitment scams are rampant: agents promising “e‑visa work permits” for a fee, fake offer letters, or “guaranteed” visas. Red flags include requests for payment before a signed contract, vague employer details, and pressure to travel on a tourist e‑visa. Always verify the employer’s business registration (Mã số thuế) on the Vietnam Tax Authority portal and insist on a written contract before any visa application.

Overstay fines, exit bans & what to do

Vietnam enforces overstay penalties strictly. The baseline fine is US$25 per day, but at land borders it can jump to US$50–100 per day. Accumulated overstay > 15 days often triggers an exit ban of 1–5 years, recorded in the immigration database. If you realise you will overstay, contact the nearest immigration office immediately to apply for an exit visa (costs US$25–50) rather than risk the ban. Keep receipts of any fines paid.

Vietnam visa for children and family members

Children of any age require their own visa. The e‑visa application for a minor must be submitted by a parent or guardian using the child’s passport details. The same fee (US$25 single, US$50 multiple) applies. If travelling on a visa on arrival, the child’s name must be included on the pre‑approval letter. Family groups can apply together on the official portal; each applicant receives a separate approval PDF.

Approved agencies for Vietnam visa on arrival (2026)

Only agencies licensed by the Vietnam Immigration Department can issue pre‑approval letters. Reputable names include MyVietnamVisa.com, VietnamVisaService.net, and VisaVietnam.com.vn. Always confirm the agency’s licence number on the Immigration Department’s website before paying. Avoid agencies that ask for payment via cryptocurrency or untraceable methods.

Quick checklist (downloadable)

I keep a one‑page PDF checklist for every client — passport validity, photo specs, portal link, fee, entry gate, and a “scam‑watch” box. You can download it from the VisaPoint resources page (link in the footer). Print it, tick each item, and you’ll avoid the 90 % of rejections caused by simple paperwork errors.

Key takeaways

• Most travellers need a visa; the official e‑visa (US$25 single, US$50 multiple) is the cheapest and fastest option.
• Apply at evisa.gov.vn at least 7 days before departure; processing takes 3–5 working days.
• Visa on arrival requires a pre‑approval letter from a licensed agency (extra US$10–30).
• E‑visas are non‑extendable; overstay fines start at US$25/day and can lead to multi‑year exit bans.
• Working in Vietnam requires a business visa (DN), a work permit, and a temporary residence card — never an e‑visa.

Last verified

All fees, processing times, and visa‑free lists are current as of 22 October 2026 per the Vietnam Immigration Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the official e‑visa portal (evisa.gov.vn). Rules change; always reconfirm with the embassy or the official portal before you book travel.

Photos: NKSTTSSHNVN / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0