Under Resolution 127/NQ-CP, from 15 August 2023 Vietnam grants e-visas to citizens of every country and territory. Validity reaches up to 90 days, whether the holder needs a single or a multiple entry.
Not everyone has to apply, though. Holders of Polish, Dutch and Czech passports may spend 45 days in Vietnam without a visa for tourism, as set out in Resolution 229/NQ-CP, which runs from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028. Travellers from Japan, South Korea, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Spain enjoy 45 visa-free days for any purpose under Resolution 44/NQ-CP, in force from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028.
All other nationalities must file an application, among them holders of Indian, Chinese, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Emirati, Saudi, US, Ukrainian, Afghan, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passports. Our data does not confirm the rules that apply to Filipino and Indonesian travellers.
Documents and Photo Specifications You’ll Need
Because the photo requirements are the part most applicants get wrong, have both files ready before you open the form.
- Portrait photo: must be recent, sized 4×6 cm, saved as JPG or JPEG and no larger than 2 MB. Face the camera straight on, wear formal clothing, keep a white background, and show no hat or glasses.
- Passport data page image: a single legible photograph or scan with no cropped corners. Just one page may be uploaded.
Whatever appears on the ICAO line of your passport is what you must type. Where that line carries only a surname or only given names, copy whatever is printed under given names.
Also gather your travel information in advance, meaning the purpose of entry, the date you plan to arrive, how long you will stay, the address where you will reside in Vietnam, and the border gates you will use to enter and leave.
The Immigration Department adds one caution: do not request an e-visa for a child on a shared passport if that child already holds a separate one.
Vietnam E-Visa Application: Step by Step
The whole process happens at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners.
Confirm compliance
Mark both required checkboxes to confirm that you follow Vietnamese law and that you have read the guidance.
Upload photo and passport
Add your portrait photograph together with the image of your passport data page.
Enter personal data
Fill in your surname, given names, date of birth, sex, nationality and email.
Provide passport and trip info
Add passport information, arrival date, duration of stay, your address in Vietnam, and the gates for entry and exit.
Answer yes/no questions
Respond to questions concerning other passports, other nationalities, earlier visits and relatives.
Confirm declaration
Tick the last declaration box to confirm that everything you stated is true.
Review and pay
Check all the entries, and then pay.
The charge is 25 USD for a single entry or 50 USD for a multiple entry, and you pay it through the VietCombank gateway. Even when the visa is denied, that money is not returned.
When your data is complete and valid, processing normally takes 3 working days from payment. Should the Police Department verify your application, plan for 3 to 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are not counted.
The payment status may need as long as 2 hours to refresh, so do not resubmit. If the same application is submitted twice, it is treated as a separate application: the initial fee will not be returned, and if both are granted, each is valid.
Arriving by air at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang or Phu Quoc? All four rank among 13 approved air border gates, which sit alongside 16 land gates such as Moc Bai and Huu Nghi and 13 sea ports. The Immigration Department further suggests the pre-arrival form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
Common Mistakes That Delay Approval
- Wrong photo. A selfie taken in glasses or against a background that is not white will be rejected. Submit a fresh 4×6 cm shot that satisfies every requirement.
- Name mismatch. Because the form requires your name to match the ICAO line in your passport exactly, reproduce it character by character.
- Resubmitting after paying. Filing a second application means paying a second fee.
- Incomplete answers. Gaps or errors in your answers bring extra requests or a denial, and once you send valid data the clock starts again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does the Vietnam e-visa application cost?
According to the Vietnam National e-Visa Portal, a single entry costs 25 USD and a multiple entry 50 USD. Payment is made online, and no refund is given when the visa is not granted.
What is the duration of Vietnam e-visa processing?
Usually 3 working days from the moment you pay, provided your information is complete. Where the Police Department verifies the application, count on 3 to 15 working days, with weekends and public holidays excluded.
If my application is rejected, can the e-visa fee be refunded?
No. As the portal explains, the fee is not returned when the visa is not granted. Under Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14 it counts as a processing fee whatever the outcome.
Which photo format does the Vietnam e-visa application require?
A recently taken portrait measuring 4×6 cm, in JPG or JPEG, no bigger than 2 MB. You must face forward, wear formal clothing, keep a white background, and show no hat or glasses.
Which border crossings accept the Vietnam e-visa?
Entry and exit are allowed only at the designated international gates. According to Vietnam, there are 13 air gates, 16 land gates, and 13 sea ports. Review the complete list before you book a crossing.
What occurs if I send in a duplicate e-visa application?
The Immigration Department counts it as two separate applications, which means the earlier fee is not refunded. Should both be approved, both remain valid.
Is it possible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa when I am already inside the country?
No. E-visas are issued to foreigners who are currently abroad and wish to enter Vietnam. If you are already inside the country, ask the relevant authority what alternatives you have.
Why has my payment status not changed after I paid the e-visa fee?
Technical processing or connectivity issues may delay the update by as much as 2 hours. Be patient instead of starting a new application, since a duplicate brings a second fee that will not be refunded.
Sources and Verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – cost, validity, processing times and payment details (verified 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department – e-Visa application form – requirements for the photo and the passport image (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – e-visas available to every nationality and the lists of border gates (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper (baochinhphu.vn) – visa exemptions under Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper (baochinhphu.vn) – tourism visa exemptions under Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP (verified 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – details on visa exemptions (verified 2026-10-13)
