Saudi passport holders who plan to travel to Vietnam need an e-visa, since Saudi Arabia does not appear on Vietnam’s list of visa-exempt countries. Two options are available: a single-entry e-visa costing $25, or a multiple-entry version at $50, and each remains valid for as long as 90 days. Applications are filed online at https://evisa.gov.vn, and processing normally takes 3 working days.
Below you’ll find everything a Saudi passport holder needs: the paperwork, the costs, how to apply, and the rules at the border. This is an independent travel-information guide rather than a government site, and it does not submit applications on your behalf. Because rules can change, confirm the details on the official e-visa portal before you set off.
Is a Vietnam Visa Required for Saudi Citizens?
Yes, a visa is required. Only a handful of countries enjoy visa-free travel to Vietnam, among them the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, whose citizens receive 45 days without a visa. Saudi Arabia does not appear on that list, which means you must arrange a visa before boarding your flight.
There is good news, though: under Government Resolution 127/NQ-CP, Vietnam has granted e-visas to nationals of every country and territory since 15 August 2023, and Saudi Arabia counts among the eligible nations. As a tourist, you may apply for either the single-entry or the multiple-entry version.
E-visas are issued by the Immigration Department to foreign nationals who carry a passport, who are not covered by Article 8(1) – (4) of the entry law, and who face no entry ban under Article 21. Our guides on who needs a visa for Vietnam and e-visa eligibility explain more.
Documents and Passport Validity
Just two files are required for the application, along with a passport that still has sufficient validity remaining.
- Portrait photo – taken recently, 4 × 6 cm, in JPG or JPEG format and under 2 MB. Face the camera directly, remove any hat or glasses, dress formally, and set a white background.
- Passport data page image – a single sharp photo or scan of the data page, with all four corners visible.
The e-visa portal FAQs set out a precise rule on passport validity: your e-visa must expire at least 30 days before your passport does.
Enter your name in uppercase letters, exactly matching the ICAO line in your passport. Delays often stem from a mismatch at this step.
Travel insurance, an onward or return ticket, and proof of funds are not required, since the portal’s e-visa conditions do not list any of them. Our passport rules guide has further details.
E-Visa Types, Fees, and Processing Time
Two tourist e-visas are open to Saudi citizens, and the number of permitted entries is the only meaningful distinction between them. Compare them below:
| Type | Entries | Fee | Validity | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry | 1 | $25 USD | Up to 90 days | 3 working days (up to 15 if verified) |
| Multiple-entry | Multiple | $50 USD | Up to 90 days | 3 working days (up to 15 if verified) |
Payment is made online via the portal’s e-payment gateway, which operates on the VietCombank payment portal. Even if your visa is refused, the fee cannot be refunded; Resolution 30/2016/QH14 classifies it as a processing fee.
Once you have paid and submitted complete, valid information, processing generally takes 3 working days. Should the Police Department need to verify the application, the wait stretches to between 3 and 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are excluded from the count, and payment status may need up to 2 hours to update. Our guides on costs and processing, single-entry, and multiple-entry e-visas cover this in more depth.
How Saudi Citizens Apply for the Vietnam E-Visa
Applications may be submitted as early as 1 year ahead of your intended arrival. Follow these steps:
Open the e-visa portal
Go to https://evisa.gov.vn or https://thithucdientu.gov.vn.
Upload your documents
Upload the portrait photo together with the passport data page image.
Complete the form
Fill in every field in English, truthfully and without errors.
Enter your name in uppercase
Match the passport’s ICAO line exactly.
Declare past trips and violations
Declare all trips made during the past year, as well as any previous violations.
Pay the fee
Settle the fee through the payment portal ($25 for single, $50 for multiple).
Wait for processing
Allow 3 working days, or as many as 15 when verification is required.
Collect your e-visa
Show it to the immigration officers at the border.
If your application seems slow, resist the urge to file a duplicate. The Immigration Department regards a second identical application as a separate one, and the first fee is not returned. Should your information be incomplete or invalid, you will be asked for further details, and the processing clock begins again from the moment you supply them.
You can read more in our full application guide and our tips on scams.
Entry Rules, Border Gates, and Common Mistakes
After your e-visa is approved, a handful of entry rules determine how smoothly your arrival goes. The most important: entry and exit must happen at international border gates designated by the government.
Designated Border Gates for E-Visa Holders
On the approved list are 15 air gates, including Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc, along with 27 land gates such as Moc Bai, Lao Cai, and Mong Cai, and 39 sea gates. Exiting through a different gate than the one you entered is allowed, provided you use the same passport the whole time.
The Immigration Department advises filling in the pre-arrival form at https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn before your flight. Once at the border, show your e-visa and then examine the temporary residence certificate stamped into your passport. Should something appear incorrect, notify immigration control immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a duplicate application: you end up paying twice, and the first fee is not refunded. Instead, wait out the processing window.
- Leaving fields incomplete or invalid: processing only restarts once valid information is submitted, so review everything before you pay.
- Hiding past violations: these must be declared, and the Immigration Authority rejects applications containing dishonest information.
- Overstaying: the UK FCDO warns that fines, deportation, and a future ban can follow.
- Not checking your stamped exit date: confirm it before you leave border control, since it cannot be altered later.
You may also want to read about the Vietnam arrival card, overstay penalties, and customs and currency rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost for Saudi citizens?
The single-entry e-visa is priced at $25 USD, while the multiple-entry one costs $50 USD. Payment is made online via the portal’s e-payment gateway. Even when an application is denied, the fee is not refunded.
What is the processing duration for an e-visa for Saudi applicants?
Usually 3 working days from the moment you pay with complete, valid information. When Police Department verification is required, the wait can reach 3 to 15 working days. Weekends and public holidays are not counted.
Are Saudi citizens allowed to enter Vietnam without needing a visa?
No. Vietnam’s visa-free list, which includes countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, does not cover Saudi Arabia. An e-visa, applied for at https://evisa.gov.vn, is required before departure.
For how long are Saudi citizens permitted to stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?
As long as 90 days, whether you hold a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Because your e-visa must expire at least 30 days before your passport’s remaining validity runs out, the permitted window can be shorter.
At what time should I submit an application for a Vietnam visa for Saudi citizens?
You may submit an application as early as 1 year before the date you plan to enter.
Is it possible to enter Vietnam at any border gate if I have an e-visa?
No. Only international border gates designated by the government may be used: 15 air gates, 27 land gates, and 39 sea gates. Exiting through a designated gate other than the one you entered is permitted.
Can the e-visa fee be refunded in the event that my application is rejected?
No. Resolution 30/2016/QH14 defines the fee as a processing fee, and it is non-refundable in every circumstance. The same holds if you pay for a duplicate application by mistake.
Is it possible for Saudi citizens to apply for a Vietnam e-visa when they are already in the country?
No. E-visas are granted only to foreign nationals who are abroad and intend to enter Vietnam. Anyone already inside the country has to leave and come back in to begin a new e-visa.
Sources and Verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – e-visa notices – information on fees, validity, processing times, and non-refundable fee rules (verified 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department – e-visa application form – details on required images and photo specifications (verified 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal – FAQs – rules on passport validity, name format, border gates, and eligibility (verified 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – visa exemption – reference to Vietnam’s visa exemption list (verified 2026-10-13)
- UK FCDO – Vietnam travel advice: entry requirements – guidance on entry and exit rules and overstay warnings (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – Resolution 127/NQ-CP – e-visas available to all nationalities since 15 August 2023 (verified 2026-10-13)
