Jun 22, 2014, 10:21 am
Last edit by: stephem
Moderator note: this Wikipost provides general visa guidelines and summarizes the information provided by FT members throughout this thread. Businesses mentioned in this wiki are in no way endorsed or recommended by FlyerTalk, and advertising is prohibited. FlyerTalk's commercial post rule is strictly enforced in this thread, and all spam-like posts will be immediately removed.
Vietnam Visa Information
Transit Without Visa
Vietnam permits foreigners to transit without a visa (TWOV) provided they remain inside the airport transit areas while awaiting an onward flight out of the country within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers are not allowed to leave the airport without a visa.
Visa Exemption for Phu Quoc Island
If you are only visiting Phu Quoc Island, guess what, you probably don't need a visa at all! There is a 30 day visa exception for Phu Quoc visits, and many people report being able to transit in HAN or SGN en route to PQC. But there are now direct flights to PQC and that allows you to avoid having to get a visa at all. Worth considering...
Regular Visa in Advance of Travel
Foreigners may obtain a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Prices are not published and appear to vary from location to location. Most recent reports suggest a typical fee of approximately USD 100.
ONLINE APPLICATION LOOSE LEAF VISA
Vietnam Visa Online Application and instructions:
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
From what I've learned, you attach the three (3) files listed below to an email along with your credit card number and the visa section will mail back a loose leaf visa.
As of December, 2015, the fees are $80 = 1 month visa, $20 = overnight USPS, $10 priority mail. Multiple entry visas are available.
Fill out the online application form.
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
Follow "online form" link. Choose language top right.
Including uploading to the application a correctly sized photo, 2x2 inches (website will check and confirm) that will propagate into the application.
Print out the application form, sign, scan as .pdf file. Attach the .pdf to your email.
Attach a correctly sized photo (2x2 inches).
Attach a scanned a copy of your passport (photo, personal detail pages and signature page).
Include your credit card number. The visa section will charge your card for visa type and USPS Express return a loose leaf visa.
Ask politely for the tracking number and total charges.
Call Embassy Visa to double check the above details and current email address: 202. 861. 0737, x118/121/122/123/125
As of December, 2015, the email address to send the application is: [email protected].
Visa Exemption
Those traveling on passports issued by the following nations are generally exempt from visa requirements for varying durations of stay: Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and UK. See the entry visa exemption list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for duration of stay info.
eVisa
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...trang-chu-ttdt
List of countries eligible for eVisa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/do...b-91595a4f5867 (link updated 2017-12-19, note new list can be published with different link) 35 more countries were announced as eligible for e-visa on Feb 20, 2019. Total is now 81 countries. See post 1561 for new additions (government website is down currently, will update with link here when possible).
Remember to print out the e-visa form they give you, as they will request it on arrival and on departure!
Some ports of entry require the evisa to be validated on arrival. In particular DAD has been cited in the thread as requiring the evisa holder to be processed at the VOA desk. Takes about 15 mins.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) at Airport Border Entries
Travelers planning to obtain a VOA should arrive with the following documents:
VOA stamp fees for Non-USA passport holders (as of December 2019) are US$25 for a single entry of 1 or 3 months validity, US$50 for multiple entry of 1 or 3 months validity or US$100 for multiple entry 1 year validity.
For USA passport holders, there was a temporary increase from September to December of 2016, up to $135. However Effective December 15, 2016 the $135 stamping fee for US citizens has been dropped, and there are reports US passport holders can be issued VOA letters for single entry 30 day visas again AND that US citizens should only have to pay a $25 stamp fee at on collection of VOA. In late December, there were reports are that the desks in HAN and DAD did not receive the memo, so YMMV until the airport desks "get the memo."
This fee must be paid at the VOA counter on arrival , and is in addition to whatever fees you have paid the VOA service provider for the invitation letter. Payments are accepted in Vietnamese Dong, USD or Euros.
Visa on arrival (VOA) is permitted for one of the following purposes:
There are countless service providers on the internet that offer VOA approval letters for a fee. Legitimate providers are licensed travel agencies, thus meeting the highlighted criterion above. Those planning to obtain a VOA approval letter are advised to take steps to ensure they are working with a licensed Vietnam travel agency or tour operator. Some Vietnam hotels are also able to provide this service.
Some VOA service providers offer expedited processing for same day or 30 minutes turnaround on issuance of VOA letter and priority processing upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam for an additional fee.
Advantages of VOA include lower cost than embassy-issued visa, eliminates the need to visit an embassy or mail passport for advance visa, and faster receipt of VOA approval letter (sent via email).
Disadvantages of VOA include longer immigration processing upon arrival, with potentially long waits for receipt of visa (usually 10-20 min., but longer waits do occur); privacy concerns due to inclusion of personal data for multiple unrelated travelers on one approval letter; and risk of scams by unauthorized VOA service providers.
VOA Process at the Airport in SGN
Removed by poster
VOA Service Providers Recommended By FTers
The following are a few of the VOA service providers that have been used and discussed in the thread by active FlyerTalk members. These providers publish sufficient information on their websites to suggest that they are authorized operators (e.g., provide physical business address, state actual travel company name, display tour operator license number, etc.). Members should verify these basic criteria before adding providers this list; simply having had successful transactions is not sufficient:
External Sources
26th-April
Edited to note that some ports of entry require the e-visa to be validated on arrival.
8 December 2019- Edited to add note about Phu Quoc being exempt from visa for 30 day visit and add info about 1 year multiple entry Visa which is now available via VoA process too.
FlyerTalkers with at least 90 days of membership and a minimum of 90 posts are invited to make corrections and update the information in this Wikipost.
Vietnam Visa Information
Main source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam - Visa Application and Information - includes fillable application (external website)
Transit Without Visa
Vietnam permits foreigners to transit without a visa (TWOV) provided they remain inside the airport transit areas while awaiting an onward flight out of the country within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers are not allowed to leave the airport without a visa.
Visa Exemption for Phu Quoc Island
If you are only visiting Phu Quoc Island, guess what, you probably don't need a visa at all! There is a 30 day visa exception for Phu Quoc visits, and many people report being able to transit in HAN or SGN en route to PQC. But there are now direct flights to PQC and that allows you to avoid having to get a visa at all. Worth considering...
Regular Visa in Advance of Travel
Foreigners may obtain a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Prices are not published and appear to vary from location to location. Most recent reports suggest a typical fee of approximately USD 100.
ONLINE APPLICATION LOOSE LEAF VISA
Vietnam Visa Online Application and instructions:
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
From what I've learned, you attach the three (3) files listed below to an email along with your credit card number and the visa section will mail back a loose leaf visa.
As of December, 2015, the fees are $80 = 1 month visa, $20 = overnight USPS, $10 priority mail. Multiple entry visas are available.
Fill out the online application form.
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
Follow "online form" link. Choose language top right.
Including uploading to the application a correctly sized photo, 2x2 inches (website will check and confirm) that will propagate into the application.
Print out the application form, sign, scan as .pdf file. Attach the .pdf to your email.
Attach a correctly sized photo (2x2 inches).
Attach a scanned a copy of your passport (photo, personal detail pages and signature page).
Include your credit card number. The visa section will charge your card for visa type and USPS Express return a loose leaf visa.
Ask politely for the tracking number and total charges.
Call Embassy Visa to double check the above details and current email address: 202. 861. 0737, x118/121/122/123/125
As of December, 2015, the email address to send the application is: [email protected].
Visa Exemption
Those traveling on passports issued by the following nations are generally exempt from visa requirements for varying durations of stay: Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and UK. See the entry visa exemption list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for duration of stay info.
eVisa
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...trang-chu-ttdt
List of countries eligible for eVisa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/do...b-91595a4f5867 (link updated 2017-12-19, note new list can be published with different link) 35 more countries were announced as eligible for e-visa on Feb 20, 2019. Total is now 81 countries. See post 1561 for new additions (government website is down currently, will update with link here when possible).
Remember to print out the e-visa form they give you, as they will request it on arrival and on departure!
Some ports of entry require the evisa to be validated on arrival. In particular DAD has been cited in the thread as requiring the evisa holder to be processed at the VOA desk. Takes about 15 mins.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) at Airport Border Entries
Travelers planning to obtain a VOA should arrive with the following documents:
- VOA approval letter
- Completed VISA APPLICATION which can be downloaded from most VOA service provider websites (travelers are advised to print the form on A4-size paper as there have been reports of US letter-size paper being refused)
- One passport-type photo
- Cash for visa stamp fee (see below)
VOA stamp fees for Non-USA passport holders (as of December 2019) are US$25 for a single entry of 1 or 3 months validity, US$50 for multiple entry of 1 or 3 months validity or US$100 for multiple entry 1 year validity.
For USA passport holders, there was a temporary increase from September to December of 2016, up to $135. However Effective December 15, 2016 the $135 stamping fee for US citizens has been dropped, and there are reports US passport holders can be issued VOA letters for single entry 30 day visas again AND that US citizens should only have to pay a $25 stamp fee at on collection of VOA. In late December, there were reports are that the desks in HAN and DAD did not receive the memo, so YMMV until the airport desks "get the memo."
This fee must be paid at the VOA counter on arrival , and is in addition to whatever fees you have paid the VOA service provider for the invitation letter. Payments are accepted in Vietnamese Dong, USD or Euros.
Visa on arrival (VOA) is permitted for one of the following purposes:
- Attend the funeral of family member or visit a family member in critical condition;
- Arrival from a country where there is no Vietnamese diplomatic mission/consular office;
- Visit Vietnam on tours organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies;
- Provide emergency technical assistance for construction works, projects; emergency treatment for critical patients or accident victims; emergency relief in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam;
- For other urgent reasons.
- Provide emergency technical assistance for construction works, projects; emergency treatment for critical patients or accident victims; emergency relief in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam;
- Visit Vietnam on tours organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies;
- Arrival from a country where there is no Vietnamese diplomatic mission/consular office;
There are countless service providers on the internet that offer VOA approval letters for a fee. Legitimate providers are licensed travel agencies, thus meeting the highlighted criterion above. Those planning to obtain a VOA approval letter are advised to take steps to ensure they are working with a licensed Vietnam travel agency or tour operator. Some Vietnam hotels are also able to provide this service.
Some VOA service providers offer expedited processing for same day or 30 minutes turnaround on issuance of VOA letter and priority processing upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam for an additional fee.
Advantages of VOA include lower cost than embassy-issued visa, eliminates the need to visit an embassy or mail passport for advance visa, and faster receipt of VOA approval letter (sent via email).
Disadvantages of VOA include longer immigration processing upon arrival, with potentially long waits for receipt of visa (usually 10-20 min., but longer waits do occur); privacy concerns due to inclusion of personal data for multiple unrelated travelers on one approval letter; and risk of scams by unauthorized VOA service providers.
VOA Process at the Airport in SGN
Removed by poster
VOA Service Providers Recommended By FTers
The following are a few of the VOA service providers that have been used and discussed in the thread by active FlyerTalk members. These providers publish sufficient information on their websites to suggest that they are authorized operators (e.g., provide physical business address, state actual travel company name, display tour operator license number, etc.). Members should verify these basic criteria before adding providers this list; simply having had successful transactions is not sufficient:
- Hotels-in-Vietnam.com - part of Tun Travel, international tour operator license 0738/2007/TCDL-GP LHQT
- VietnamStay.com - multi-office tour operator, no license info found on website, multiple physical addresses provided
***Link not working - VietnamVisaCorp.com - part of Song Thu Travel, international tour operator license 79-411/2013/TCDL-GP LHQT
- Visa4Vietnam.com - part of Sense of Indochina, company license 0103103092
- Cheapvietnamvisa.net - data references on this thread Sep/08 & Sep/24 & Oct/07 & Dec/02 - 2015
External Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam - Visa Application and Information - includes fillable application
- Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners - Vietnam Ministry of Justice
26th-April
Edited to note that some ports of entry require the e-visa to be validated on arrival.
8 December 2019- Edited to add note about Phu Quoc being exempt from visa for 30 day visit and add info about 1 year multiple entry Visa which is now available via VoA process too.
FlyerTalkers with at least 90 days of membership and a minimum of 90 posts are invited to make corrections and update the information in this Wikipost.
Prior to 2022: Visa / VOA Info for Vietnam
Jan 5, 2017, 3:45 pm
#1246
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I hear what you're saying and I would not be worried about the VOA in the least if it weren't for the fact that Vietnam changed the rules the end of August when US citizens could not use a VOA - only a regular visa. Now - I am making an assumption here - and my mind will be at rest if this is clarified:
The change the end of Aug for US citizens was an increase in price to $135 for a 1 yr visa - 30 day visas weren't being issued.
In Sept, when I called the NY Embassy who issue visas, they stated no to VOA's, also in early Dec; even today they said that. HOWEVER, today this person added a clarification that others there had not - that the US embassies do NOT issue VOA's - so perhaps in Aug when Nam increased the cost VOA's were still being issued for US citizens and I made an assumption - so does anyone here know this answer: VOA's were still available even in Aug/Sept 2016 for US citizens but only issued by the Vietnam agencies that do that?
The change the end of Aug for US citizens was an increase in price to $135 for a 1 yr visa - 30 day visas weren't being issued.
In Sept, when I called the NY Embassy who issue visas, they stated no to VOA's, also in early Dec; even today they said that. HOWEVER, today this person added a clarification that others there had not - that the US embassies do NOT issue VOA's - so perhaps in Aug when Nam increased the cost VOA's were still being issued for US citizens and I made an assumption - so does anyone here know this answer: VOA's were still available even in Aug/Sept 2016 for US citizens but only issued by the Vietnam agencies that do that?
Today we dont need a Visa to visit X country and bingo tomorrow they say we do and my flight is on Sat = no time to get the Visa before the flight = not being allowed to fly on my 1st flight if its all part of 1 tkt, could be worse more then 1 tkt so the carrier of the 1st tkt wont refund it since theres no problems flying bet say the NY & LA its the 2nd flight on a different tkt from LA to Country X on a different carrier where the problem lies. So carrier 2 may refund or issuer a voucher for their tkt and either I now stay in LA or write the NY-LA tkt off.
You really need to relax and stop trying to come up with the 1 offs where there may be a problem when they dont exist today
Jan 5, 2017, 4:28 pm
#1247
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,194
In Sept, when I called the NY Embassy who issue visas, they stated no to VOA's, also in early Dec; even today they said that. HOWEVER, today this person added a clarification that others there had not - that the US embassies do NOT issue VOA's - so perhaps in Aug when Nam increased the cost VOA's were still being issued for US citizens and I made an assumption - so does anyone here know this answer: VOA's were still available even in Aug/Sept 2016 for US citizens but only issued by the Vietnam agencies that do that?
[Unduly personalized text edited by Moderator.]
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jan 8, 2017 at 10:31 am Reason: Per FT Rule 12
Jan 5, 2017, 5:08 pm
#1248
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
VOAs have always been available. The acronym stands for Visa on Arrival....meaning you get the visa after you get to Viet Nam. Not sure why you would think a VOA would be issued in the US prior to departure.
I'm starting to think you're trolling the forum at this point.
I'm starting to think you're trolling the forum at this point.
theres really 2 parts to the VOA 1- the letter issued by an agency in Nam and 2- the payment for the Visa and the actual Visa upon arrival at the airport.
If a person doesnt have the VOA letter then they wont be allowed their flight, which depends how they are tkted. So I flew UA all the way (UA has since KOed the HKG-SGN flight) used to fly JFK-LAX(overnight to visit family) then LAX-SFO-HKG-SGN or a stop for a few days in HKG, all 1 tkt = no VOA letter UA would deny boarding for my JFK-LAX flight, since its all 1 Intl tkt.
True the letter wasnt really obtained in The US, but via an email from Nam but most folks may considered it as if it was obtained over here.
That said many folks dont fully understand that VOA and the various embassies are in competition for the same $$$. And think they can get a VOA from an Embassy. Heck for my Russian Visa I put down a different place to apply other then the consulate on 91st in NYC and after schelping there 3x and finally able to get in was told sorry you have Madian Lane on your form and we cant process this here either go there or find a computer and reapply using our location.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jan 8, 2017 at 10:32 am Reason: Per FT Rule 12.
Jan 5, 2017, 7:35 pm
#1249
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 29
Thanks for the info ST. Because of what the embassy told me in Dec, I presumed VOA's were no longer available for US citizens, but as you say, they were, just not for the $25 stamping fee, but they are now. I'll apply for my VOA asap :-)
Jan 6, 2017, 1:49 am
#1250
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
If you do go the VOA letter route, you'll find you can easily buy A4 paper on Amazon. (The IRS accepts it, so you'll have some use for the other 498 sheets in the package.)
Jan 6, 2017, 10:15 am
#1251
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 29
VOAs have always been available. The acronym stands for Visa on Arrival....meaning you get the visa after you get to Viet Nam. Not sure why you would think a VOA would be issued in the US prior to departure.
I'm starting to think you're trolling the forum at this point.
I'm starting to think you're trolling the forum at this point.
It's amazing how people post here making assumptions about things people never even stated - all usually negative. I was just looking for help & answers here, which I have received.
I really appreciate all the good guys here who have been so helpful. And yes, I may worry more than most, but it was only because I was led to believe by the NYC embassy the VOA was ended for US citizens in August. Prior to that info, I already had my VOA agency selected and had no worries!
Jan 6, 2017, 10:37 am
#1252
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 29
A4 paper - I read some posts here that stated A4 size paper may be required to print your VOA letter. Can I have some replies here from those printing their VOA's on 8-1/2 x 11 paper both with acceptance and rejection?
And for those rejected, what were the alternatives?
And for those rejected, what were the alternatives?
Jan 6, 2017, 2:56 pm
#1253
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
A4 paper - I read some posts here that stated A4 size paper may be required to print your VOA letter. Can I have some replies here from those printing their VOA's on 8-1/2 x 11 paper both with acceptance and rejection?
And for those rejected, what were the alternatives?
And for those rejected, what were the alternatives?
Jan 6, 2017, 7:43 pm
#1254
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Immigration in VN does not care about the size of the paper.
Jan 12, 2017, 7:41 pm
#1255
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Jan 15, 2017, 8:12 pm
#1256
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 19
Hi,
Tet Holiday is coming and the Immigration Department will off from 26th Jan to 01st Feb. So if any of you would travel to Vietnam that time, please apply for your visa as soon as possible.
If you forget to apply visa and travel during Tet Holiday, you'll be charge much more as the visa fee then is much higher than normal.
Tuan Phan
Tet Holiday is coming and the Immigration Department will off from 26th Jan to 01st Feb. So if any of you would travel to Vietnam that time, please apply for your visa as soon as possible.
If you forget to apply visa and travel during Tet Holiday, you'll be charge much more as the visa fee then is much higher than normal.
Tuan Phan
Jan 18, 2017, 1:22 pm
#1257
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 11
Might be a dumb question, but is it ever too early to purchase a VOA? I'm flying out to SGN in mid-March and was wondering whether to be proactive and get the VOA out of the way or wait until it's closer to the trip.
Jan 18, 2017, 4:46 pm
#1258
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
You can't purchase a VOA until you arrive in Vietnam. You can purchase the approval letter beforehand...1-2 months is fine.
Jan 25, 2017, 8:51 pm
#1260
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,840
OK, just missed getting application in prior to Lunar New Year holidays. Applied at http://www.vietnamvisa.govt.vn and received notification that the holiday application cost would be $195 USD (from $17). Are there any other reputable processors that are more reasonable during the holidays, or is this typical? Thanks.