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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 29,590
I just spoke with a representative at the Vietnamese Mission to the UN in NYC. They also issue visas from that office. They have great hours (9:30-6), and they accept payment in cash, check and money order, so if you don't want to deal with getting a MO you can just pay cash.
The only down side was that he said it was $75 for regular service. I don't know if the rates went up or if it is different or what, but that is still cheaper than paying for the FedEx.
Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United Nations
866 United Nations Plaza (48th & 1st)
Suite 435
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 1-212-644-0594/-0831/-1564
Fax: 1-212-644-5732
Last edited by sbm12; Jul 14, 06 at 11:33 am.
Reason: fix address
Thanks for the tip. That's a lot more appealling than sending my passport on another cross-country excursion. FYI, the consullate in SFO accepts personal checks as well in spite of what they might say on the web site or phone recording.
Hi- My wife and I just got our Vietnam visas from the Consulate of Vietnam in San Fran and I thought I would give some comments on how much of a quick and easy process it was.
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Same experience here, but via express mail. Fedex my visa application on Sat for 5pm pickup, Arrived at SF consulate on Mon 10am, Visa processed/granted and sent out Fedex (prepaid) sameday at 5PM, Received my Passport w/VISA Tues 10am. Unbelievably FAST.
I am awaiting the return of my two passports I sent to the consulate in SF this last week. I have been to VN several times, nin the last two years, and every time, was issued a single entry visa for $65. The few times I called, they told me it was $65, even for return visits, but that was early last year. When I could not get a hold of anyone this time, I just sent the same amount.
My experience is that they are quick with the turnaround times at the SF consulate. I would imagine this could change as tourism really picks up in Vietnam.
The other posters are correct, without a visa as an American, you will be deported the next day, and this can get very expensive. The Vietnamese are great people, but do not try to side-skip their laws...they are still a communist country and are still behaving that way. Some of the common freedoms that we have in the US are not options there...so use discretion at all times.
Most likely you will not be allowed to board your flight to VN without a Visa.
True, but since this is simply a visual verification of the visa, it can be overlooked easily. I have seen this happen many times in these days of self check in units and such. In fact, somehow, it happens more often than it should.
As an update, my passports arrived today from the Vietnam consulate in SF. Very quick turnaround, by FedEx tracking records, they had the passports less than 24 hours. Of course, I received them today (monday) but would have received them in less than 4 days total turnaround if it was not for the weekend. (Sent them Wednesday afternoon)
My passport had 3 visas in it already for Vietnam, but Mrs. JC5280's passport has never had a visa from there.
I forgot to add my experience here... I went to the Consulate in SF back in October to drop off my friends' visa apps. Dropped them off Thursday morning, went back around 2pm Friday and got them. $45 each
In fact, I'm going back tomorrow to get visas for my folks.
Why does the VN embassy page not list how much a tourist visa costs anywhere on its sites?
I'm mailing in a visa application, but have no idea how much it costs. Does anyone know?
In London they aren't even displayed when you get inside. I think its because they like to hide the fact they are overcharging.... as I understand it, the fees are fixed in USD (or at least part of them are) and despite 1 GBP now being worth almost 2 USD, they haven't revised their fees.
(GBP38 for a tourist visa, takes a week.)
As per that thread, unless you're in one of the very few countries that does not require a visa, I would not attempt to go there without a visa in your passport or on a separate piece of paper. "Visa on arrival" basically means its been approved in Vietnam in advance.... but you will still have to pursuade your airline to let you board.
In London they aren't even displayed when you get inside. I think its because they like to hide the fact they are overcharging.... as I understand it, the fees are fixed in USD (or at least part of them are) and despite 1 GBP now being worth almost 2 USD, they haven't revised their fees.
(GBP38 for a tourist visa, takes a week.)
Holy crap... yeah, I've always suspected they do that to allow for "changes" to whatever is most convenient to them. But overcharged AND slow service... yeesh.
It should also be added that the fee is subject to varying from consulate to consulate, country to country. As such the $45 figure mentioned for the San Fransisco consulate was and 'probably' still is accurate but I would not go by any information other than what you receive directly and currently from the specific consulate in question. For instance at least as of a couple of years ago a US citizen paid $45 at the Embassy in DC or the consulate in San Fransisco, or $40 at the Embassy in Bangkok or $30 at the embassy's in Phnom Penh or Vientaine or the bargain price of only $25 at the consulate in Sihnookville Cambodia. What the fees are today? I don't know. The $45 is probably accurate but I would defiantly get on the phone and call the consulate for an authoritative answer.
I just got my vietnam visa back from the SF consulate today. I paid $25 visa fee and $40 processing fee. They processed it within one day and I had it back less than a week after I sent it (from within CA.)
I just got my vietnam visa back from the SF consulate today. I paid $25 visa fee and $40 processing fee. They processed it within one day and I had it back less than a week after I sent it (from within CA.)
That office is extremely efficient processing visas. But since my mailman decided to deliver it to the wrong address, I now spend $75 and trek twice (once to drop off and once to pick up) to the U.N. Mission for my visas.
