A visa is required for New Zealand passport holders travelling to Vietnam, and the handiest route is the electronic visa (e-visa). Two choices are available: single entry at 25 USD, or multiple entry at 50 USD, and each remains valid for as long as 90 days. Everything is done online through the government portal.
This guide addresses New Zealand passport holders who are heading to Vietnam on holiday or for a brief business trip. We are an independent guide rather than a government website, and throughout the text we link to the government e-visa portal at evisa.gov.vn. We neither submit applications nor collect any fees.
Vietnam Visa for New Zealand Citizens: Overview
Visa-free entry is not open to holders of New Zealand passports, so a Vietnam e-visa must be obtained before travelling. Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam has issued e-visas to nationals of every country.
According to the Government of Viet Nam, certain nationalities are exempt from visas for stays of 45 days, among them the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland. New Zealand does not appear on that list. When your trip is a simple return after a few weeks, single entry is usually sufficient.
Vietnam Visa Requirements for New Zealand Citizens
Get these items ready before you open the form.
- Portrait photo: taken recently, 4 x 6 cm, in JPG or JPEG format and under 2 MB. Face the camera straight on, wear formal clothes, use a white background, and remove any hat or glasses.
- Passport data page image: a single clear picture in which no corner has been cut off.
- Passport validity: your passport must stay valid for at least 30 days longer than the e-visa’s validity.
- Your name: the full name, covering surname, middle name and given name, written in uppercase and matching the ICAO line in your passport exactly.
The UK FCDO recommends a passport that has a minimum of 6 months’ validity, 2 empty pages, and no damage, which are sensible practices to adopt here. For more details, see our passport validity requirements.
E-Visa Cost and Processing Time
Single entry costs 25 USD, multiple entry costs 50 USD, and the money is paid online through the portal’s e-payment gateway.
As the Immigration Department’s published notices explain, electronic visas are normally handled within 03 working days once the fee has been paid and the information supplied is complete and valid. Where Police Department verification is required, plan for 03 to 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are not counted.
Two things catch people out. Even if your visa is not granted, the fee is non-refundable. Your payment status may need up to 2 hours to update, so do not submit a duplicate application, because that would mean paying twice. You may apply up to 1 year before your planned entry. Learn how to avoid common e-visa mistakes.
How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa
Visit evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. Fill everything in English, accurately and honestly, and tick every option that applies to the multiple-choice questions. Follow our step-by-step e-visa application guide for detailed instructions.
Access the portal and fill out the form
Enter your personal and travel details.
Upload your documents
Upload the portrait photo together with the passport data page image.
Select your border gates
Pick your entry and exit border gates from the government’s approved list.
Make the payment
Pay via the VietCombank payment portal, which functions with the Immigration Department’s authorization.
Check your e-visa
Once the e-visa arrives, check the name, the dates and the gate details.
The Immigration Department lists 27 land gates, 15 air gates and 39 sea gates open to e-visa holders, among them Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnamese authorities require entry and exit on the same passport. Should you obtain a new e-visa while already in Vietnam, you have to leave and re-enter for it to start. Before you fly, complete the pre-arrival form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, which the Immigration Department recommends.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong name format. When your name does not match the ICAO line exactly, processing restarts from the moment valid information is sent. Transcribe it directly from the passport.
- Hiding a past violation. An e-visa may be denied if you fail to disclose violation history from previous entries.
- Paying twice. Submitting a duplicate application results in the loss of the first fee. Apply once, then wait.
- Dishonest answers. The application will be rejected if the Immigration Authority discovers any dishonest information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Vietnam visa for New Zealand citizens and is it required?
The answer is an e-visa, and yes, one is needed. New Zealand is absent from Vietnam’s exemption list, so apply online before you travel. Under Resolution 127/NQ-CP, citizens of all countries have been able to get one since 15 August 2023.
What is the cost of a Vietnam visa for New Zealand citizens?
You will pay 25 USD for single entry or 50 USD for multiple entry, through the portal’s e-payment gateway. Because the fee is non-refundable, check your details before you pay.
What is the processing time for a Vietnam e-visa?
Normally 03 working days after payment, provided your information is complete and valid. Verification by the Police Department may take 03 to 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are not counted.
What is the maximum duration of stay in Vietnam for a New Zealand citizen with an e-visa?
Up to 90 days, whether for single or multiple entries. If your trip involves leaving Vietnam and returning, choose a multiple-entry e-visa.
What passport validity period is required for New Zealanders who apply for a Vietnam e-visa?
Your passport has to remain valid for at least 30 days longer than the e-visa’s validity. Look at the expiry date before uploading your data page, and make sure the image has not been cropped.
Is it possible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa while I am already in the country?
No, you cannot. E-visas are intended for foreigners abroad who wish to enter Vietnam. If you obtain one while inside the country, you must leave and re-enter for it to become valid.
Which border crossings can New Zealand e-visa holders use to enter Vietnam?
Only the international gates specified on the portal: 27 land, 15 air, and 39 sea gates. Leaving through a different gate from the one you arrived at is allowed.
What occurs if I provide incorrect information on my Vietnam e-visa application?
You will be asked for extra information, or your application may be denied. Processing then restarts from the moment you submit the correct details, so review the form before paying.
Sources and verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – fees of 25 and 50 USD, 90-day validity, non-refundable fees and processing times (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department – e-Visa application form – the rules for the photo and the passport data page image (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal – FAQs – passport validity, name format, border gates and application timing (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – e-visas for citizens of all countries from 15 August 2023 (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- UK FCDO – Vietnam travel advice: entry requirements – rules on passport validity, blank pages and travelling on the same passport (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- WHO – Vaccination requirements country list – no yellow fever certificate required for Vietnam (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – visa exemption information page (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
