Anyone travelling on an Afghan passport has to secure a Vietnam e-visa in advance, since Afghanistan does not appear on the list of nationalities exempt from visas. Two options exist: a single-entry e-visa at $25 or a multiple-entry e-visa at $50, and either one stays valid for as long as 90 days. In most cases, three working days are needed to process the application.
This guide is produced independently and has no link to any government body. Applications should be filed directly through evisa.gov.vn, the official portal managed by the Vietnam Immigration Department. We neither collect payments nor submit applications for anyone, so it is worth confirming the latest fees and rules on that portal before you set off.
How long your passport remains valid matters here. As the FAQ on the e-visa portal explains, an e-visa has to end at least 30 days before your passport does. Also make sure your passport is undamaged, because the UK FCDO reports that travellers have been refused entry over damaged passports.
An onward ticket, evidence of funds and travel insurance are not listed as e-visa requirements on the official portal. One health-related point: people who spend more than four weeks in Afghanistan could be asked for proof of polio vaccination when leaving Afghanistan. That is an Afghan exit requirement rather than a Vietnam entry rule.
E-Visa Costs and Processing Times
| Single-entry e-visa | Multiple-entry e-visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $25 USD | $50 USD |
| Entries | Single | Multiple |
| Maximum validity | Up to 90 days | |
Payment happens online through the portal’s payment gateway, which the Immigration Department authorises. Neither fee is refunded, even when a visa is refused.
Once payment goes through, standard processing usually takes roughly three working days, provided the details you supply are complete and valid. Verification by the police department may take 3 to 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are left out of the count. Should any information be incomplete or invalid, you will be asked to correct it, and the processing clock begins again from the moment you do.
Required Documents and Application Steps
Two images have to be uploaded with the online form: a recently taken portrait photo (4 × 6 cm, JPG or JPEG, under 2 MB, face facing straight ahead, white background, no hat or glasses, formal clothing) plus a sharp picture of your passport’s data page with no corners cut off.
The steps are as follows:
Access the portal
Go to evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn to reach the portal.
Enter your full name
Type your full name in uppercase letters, matching exactly what appears on the ICAO line of your passport.
Declare travel history
List any journeys made during the past year and be honest about any violation history.
Upload required images
Attach both the portrait photo and the image of your passport data page.
Select border gates
Pick your entry and exit border gates from the designated list.
Complete payment
Complete payment via the VietCombank payment portal linked from the application.
Applications may be submitted as early as one year ahead of the entry date you have planned. This e-visa is intended only for foreigners who are currently abroad, not for those already inside Vietnam. Once you have departed, a new one can be requested if you need it.
Entry Rules, Border Gates, and Staying Legal
Holders of an e-visa have to cross in and out at international border gates designated by the government, among them Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang and Cam Ranh, along with the land and sea crossings named on the government’s designated list. Leaving through the same gate you entered from is not obligatory.
Vietnamese rules strictly require that the same passport be used for entry and for exit. Inspect the temporary residence stamp at the border, and if any detail looks wrong, tell immigration officers before you step out of the border control area.
Overstaying carries serious consequences. The authorities may stop you from departing until a fine is settled, and deportation plus future entry bans are both possible.
Already in Vietnam and needing more time? Under Vietnamese immigration law, e-visa holders can apply for a new visa when a local authority, organisation or individual invites or guarantees them. If you plan to remain for more than 90 days, get in touch with the Immigration Department directly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a duplicate application – the system handles each one separately, and the first fee is not returned even when both are approved.
- Not disclosing a past violation – this may result in the e-visa being denied.
- Checking the wrong passport validity – an e-visa cannot run beyond your passport expiry minus 30 days, so verify this before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long is the Vietnam visa for Afghan citizens valid?
As long as 90 days, though the real validity is tied to your passport. The e-visa needs to expire no later than 30 days before your passport does.
How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost for holders of Afghan passports?
$25 USD for a single-entry e-visa, while a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50 USD. Payment for either is made online and cannot be refunded.
Is it possible to apply for a Vietnam visa for Afghan citizens while I am already inside the country?
No. E-visas are granted only to foreigners who are currently outside the country. If you are already in Vietnam, you will need to leave and re-enter, or seek an extension through the Immigration Department with a local sponsor.
What occurs if I accidentally send in more than one e-visa application?
Every application is processed and charged on its own, and the first fee is not refunded. Should both be approved, each visa is equally valid, but you will have paid twice.
How early am I allowed to submit an application for a Vietnam e-visa?
According to the e-visa portal, as early as one year before the entry date you have planned.
Is proof of vaccination for Vietnam something Afghan citizens must provide?
No yellow fever certificate is demanded by Vietnam at entry. If you have remained in Afghanistan for more than four weeks, proof of polio vaccination may be required when leaving Afghanistan, which is an Afghan departure requirement.
Must I leave Vietnam via the same border gate through which I arrived?
No. As the e-visa portal confirms, exiting through the same gate you entered from is not required, though you do have to use one of the designated international gates.
What action should I take if the information in my e-visa application is incomplete or invalid?
You will be asked to supply corrected details. The processing count restarts when you submit valid information, not from the date of your original application.
Sources and Verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – fees, processing timelines, eligibility criteria, border gates (verified 2026-10-13)
- e-Visa Portal – Frequently Asked Questions – passport validity rules, format of the name, application details (verified 2026-10-13)
- e-Visa Application Form – Image Requirements – specifications for the photo and the passport page (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam – Resolution 127/NQ-CP – e-visa available to every nationality from 15 August 2023 (verified 2026-10-13)
- WHO – Vaccination Requirements and Recommendations (ITH 2022) – rules on yellow fever and polio (verified 2026-10-13)
- UK FCDO – Vietnam Travel Advice – warnings about damaged passports, penalties for overstaying (verified 2026-10-13)
