Along with the rapid development of Vietnamese tourism, issuing tourist visas for foreigners is no longer a complicated procedure when coming to Vietnam. However, it is necessary to keep up with the latest regulations and updates. Quang Binh Tourism will help you fully solve any problems and issue any and all essential information to easily apply for a tourist visa.
1. Classification of Vietnam tourism visa
Currently, you can apply for a tourist visa in the following categories:
- One month of multiple entries (valid for one month with various entries)
- Three months of a single entry (valid for three months with only one entry)
- Three months of multiple entries (valid for three months with multiple entries)
- 1-year multiple entries (Only applicable for US citizens)
2. How to apply for a visa
The three most common forms of Vietnam tourist visa applications include:
- Apply for a visa at the Vietnamese consulate in you home country
- Apply for a visa to enter Vietnam
- Apply for a visa through electronic access (E-visa)
3. Applying for a visa at the Vietnam consulate of host country
Foreigners can apply for a Vietnam visa directly in the country where they live or in a country with a diplomatic mission of Vietnam (Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate abroad). In this way, visitors have to carry out the procedures to apply for a Vietnam visa by preparing documents at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate’s request, paying the visa fee, and waiting for the visa result from the Embassy.
The documents to be prepared include:
- Visa application form issued by the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in the host country
- Passport valid for six months from the date of visa application
- 02 new 4×6 photos taken within six months
- Proof of the itinerary of the Vietnam travel tour that the foreigner participates in.
- Confirm return air ticket to Vietnam, hotel reservation in Vietnam.
In case visitors are not living near Vietnam Embassy/Consulate, these ways will take time and money due to the cost of transportation. However, applying for a visa directly at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in the host country ensures high safety because visitors already have a Vietnam visa stamped on their passport.
4. Applying for a visa via electronic visa (E-visa)
Applied since 2017, E-visa currently only has 80 countries enjoying the pilot policy of issuing e-visas. This is a type of visa issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners through an electronic transaction system.
4.1. Documents to prepare
Vietnam e-visa is valid once, and the duration is not more than 30 days. If you are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa, please refer to the visa regulations as follows:
- Passport valid for at least 06 months from the date of entry into Vietnam and have at least 02 blank pages
- 01 passport photo
- Soft copy of the image and personal information page in the passport
- Bank card for online e-visa fee payment (American Express cards are not accepted)
4.2. Visa application process
- Step 1: Access the website https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn -> Select E-visa -> Select Next For foreigners.
- Step 2: Read the instructions and check the box “Confirmation of reading instructions carefully and having completed application,” then select “Next” to continue.
- Step 3: Upload the photo and personal information page in your passport according to the instructions.
- Step 4: Complete online personal information in the declaration.
- Step 5: Determine the accuracy of the information and then receive the verification code. Save that code somewhere easy to remember because you’ll need it later.
- Step 6: Pay the e-visa service fee ($25USD) through the online platform.
- Step 7: Re-visit the website after a few days, enter the registration code, email, and date of birth in the search box to check the status of your e-visa processing.
- Step 8: Get the link to download and print your e-visa once your visa application form is accepted.
- Step 9: Present your e-visa or verification code at the border gate of entry to Vietnam.
4.3 Visa application fee
The E-visa application fee to enter Vietnam is $25/person.
This fee is non-refundable if your application is denied or there is an error on your visa information provided from your side in the application form.
5. Apply for Vietnam official entry
Visitors can apply for a Vietnam visa via Vietnamese official registered and operating organizations and businesses to guarantee their visa documents. This form is quite common; the procedure is not too complicated. However, if you are subjective and not well-prepared, you may be regretfully denied a visa. To save time and optimize the process, read carefully and prepare all the documents listed below:
5.1 Documents to be prepared
Apply for a visa to enter Vietnam:
For guarantors:
– Application for Vietnam visa for NA2 foreigners
– The guarantor’s legal entity documents include 01 business registration license, 01 certificates of company signature, 01 certificates of tax payment, etc.
– Notarized copy of foreigner’s passport
– Paper of expected date of entry of foreigners
– Employee introduction letter to apply at the Immigration Department.
– Documents proving the family relationship.
– Certificate of temporary residence of the local police, which the foreigner temporarily resides in Vietnam.
– Identification card of the guarantors.
– After submitting the application and obtaining an entry letter, the guarantor must send this document to the foreigner to receive a Vietnam visa.
5.2 Visa application process
– Step 1: Search for a visa application service company.
By contacting an international travel agency that provides tours, you will need to provide information about foreigners who want to enter Vietnam.
– Step 2: Apply for an entry letter.
The travel agency will carry out the procedures with the Immigration Department, and the processing time is from 3-5 days. The result is “official entry” – this is the document of the Immigration Department for allowing foreigners to enter Vietnam.
– Step 3: Get a visa at the airport/road border gate/embassies
After paying the cost with the service company, they will send you an entry letter. You will receive via email, then printed and used; no original required.
After printing the official letter, you can go to the Airport/Road Border Gate/Vietnam Ambassador in the host country to get the visa.
* Notes when making visa procedures:
- Fill in the NA1 declaration form according to the available one.
- Prepare 02 3×4 photos + 01 original passport + 01 entry letter photo
- Pay visa fee
– Step 4: Entry to Vietnam
Receiving the visa would be a nearly completed step. For visa recipients at Vietnam Embassy/Consulate, you need to show it to the Customs when landing at the Vietnam airport.
5.3. Visa application fee
Fees for visa application for foreigners entering Vietnam have been regulated according to Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated 10/11/2016, specifically as follows:
- Issuing a visa/visa valid for multiple times:
- Visa valid for 3 months: 50 USD/time
- Visa valid from 3 to 6 months: 95 USD/time
- Visa valid from 6 months – 1 year: 135 USD/time
Many reputable travel and tourism companies in Vietnam support foreigners to apply for tourist visas with reasonable costs and quick processing time. To choose the most suitable unit, you can search on Google or travel review sites like Traveloka, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, etc.
