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
Apr 6, 2015, 1:18 pm
#571
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
For the online submission form, should the place of visa submission/collection be "consular department" if applying online?
Apr 6, 2015, 5:37 pm
#572
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: BOS, PVD
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Pt, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 96
Apr 17, 2015, 5:02 am
#573
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 948
Just wondering if anyone knows if Vietnam Govt are still offering 3 month multiple entry visa's for tourist's?
Am thinking about spending 3 months with my wife in her village while we wait for her Aussie Visa to be granted.
Am thinking about spending 3 months with my wife in her village while we wait for her Aussie Visa to be granted.
Apr 17, 2015, 12:34 pm
#574
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Apr 17, 2015, 3:17 pm
#575
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
If you plan on visiting Viet Nam more than once or twice every 5 years in the future, it will make sense for you to apply for a visa waiver with your local Vietnamese consulate. The waiver lets you come and go as you please, with each stay limited to 3 months. It's good for 5 years or the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. Only a spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen is eligible.
Apr 18, 2015, 3:35 am
#576
Formerly known as linzbh
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC GGL, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 459
Vietnam Visa advice fom UK Embassy
Just thought I would share the email from the UK Embassy.
Apologies if it has already been shared.
Interestingly they advise against VOA and are very expensive
If you are enquiring about visa, please find all the relevant information below. Your other requests will be responded in due course.
BUSINESS VISA
Starting from 1st Jan 2015, the Embassy of Viet Nam temporarily stop processing Business visa application without Approval Letter due to the introduction of new Immigration Regulation. If you travel to Viet Nam for business purpose, your host organizations/partners/invitees in Vietnam will need to arrange your visa Approval Letter directly with the immigration office. The Embassy will issue business visa when the Approval Letter is submitted along with the application form and passport.
The Embassy may consider specific requests for business visa. Please contact us at [email protected].
TOURIST VISA
- Visa fees and bank account are listed at the end of this message.
- The quickest way to apply for visa is by email (you have to bring
your passport to the embassy to collect the visa). WE DO NOT ISSUE
VISA ON THE SAME DAY (see Processing time below)
- If the online form does not work, please print out the PFD form and
complete by hand (download form here:
http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/visaformf.pdf)
- The embassy only issues 30 days and 90 days visa.
- For non-EU passport holders (excluding Australian, USA, Canadian),
the visa process may take longer, please contact us for more
information.
- Upon receipt of your visa, you are required to make sure all
information on the visa is correct (especially passport number and
visa date). Any error must be notified to our staff immediately and
BEFORE your departure from the UK and Ireland. Failure to do so means
we will NOT take any responsibility when visa problems arise upon
arriving in Viet Nam and no refund and compensation will be available.
Travelers need to obtain standard visas from the Embassy of Vietnam before going to Viet Nam. We do not recommend visa-on-arrival and online visa (many offers on the internet for these type of visa are scams). Visa issued by the embassy of Vietnam is fully valid, you are
not required to pay any other fee upon arrival.
- To apply for a stick-on Visa from the embassy, please summit the
following documents: (1) an application form (to be completed online)
with a passport photo (standard UK Paspport photo) attached, (2) valid
passport. (Other documents may be requested when necessary). (3) Visa
fee payment (see full list of visa fee at the end section)
You can apply for Visa in person or by post. A third party can submit
relevant documents and collect visa on your behalf. Email application
is also possible if you use express visa service.
- Visa form has to be completed online here: http://visa.mofa.gov.vn/Homepage.aspx
The form has to be printed out if you apply in person or by post. If
you apply by email (see below) please save the PDF file and send as
attachment. (If the online form does not work, please print out the
PDF form and complete by hand, download form here: http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/visaformf.pdf
Please make sure all the information provided in the application form is correct. We will not
take any responsibility for the incorrect visa which is caused by the
errors in the application form.
- TYPES OF VISA: You do not need a visa to enter/re-enter Vietnam if
you do not cross immigration checkpoint when catching connecting
flights. SINGLE ENTRY visa is when you only entering Vietnam (crossing
border control) once. MULTIPLE ENTRY visa is when you enter Vietnam
(crossing border control) more than one time (re-entering Viet Nam
after leaving for another country). If you are traveling on a CRUISE,
please check with your tour organiser for the type of visa required.
- CHILDREN with their own passports have to apply for Visa.
- WHEN TO APPLY: You can apply for visa 6 months before traveling.
- Embassy address: 12 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD
- DATE OF ENTRY: The Visa will be valid from the Date of Entry
provided in the application form and extend for 30 or 90 days,
depending on Visa type. You can travel to Vietnam at any time after
(or on) the date of entry and must leave before the visa expires. If
you are unsure of your exact travel date, please put an early date to
allow yourself maximum flexibility.
- PROCESSING TIME: We do not issue visa on the same day. Regular
processing takes 5 working days. Using express service you can obtain
a visa the next day or 2 days later.
- APPLYING IN PERSON: Visa submission hours: 9:30-12:30 Monday to
Friday. No appointment needed. A third party can submit relevant
documents and collect visa on your behalf. PAYMENT: All fees must be
paid in CASH if you apply in person at the Embassy. The passport will
be kept at the embassy and can be collected after 5 working days with
the visa.
- APPLYING BY POST: please provide a self-addressed envelop (not
stamped) and Postage charge and Handling fee for returning your
passports: £8 for one passport; between 2-3 passports: £6/each
passport; between 4-7 passports: £5/each passport. Please note: if you
send a prepaid envelop, there is still handling fee of £3/passport.
All passports are posted by Royal Mail Registered post, express
delivery. PAYMENT: If application is made by post, please pay by
cheque or postal order payable to EMBASSY OF VIETNAM, (write your
name, telephone number, date of birth at the back), all in British
pounds only. Visa fee and postage charges can be paid by one
cheque/postal order/bank draft (when applying by post). DO NOT PAY BY
BANK TRANSFER IF YOU APPLY BY POST. Please post your application to:
Vietnam Embassy, 12 Victoria Road, London, W8 5RD.
- EMAIL APPLICATION (for express service only): Your application must
be submitted before 12.30 PM of each working day (email to:
[email protected]) and payment by bank transfer made
before 12:30PM. The complete application include: (1) Visa application
form (completed online, saved as PDF file and attached to the email);
(2) Copy of the photo page of your passport; (3) Confirmation of
payment of the visa fee. To collect the visa, please visit the embassy
with your passport. Someone else can collect the visa for you if
he/she brings your passport. Important notice: your email must say
“Visa application” in the SUBJECT section. Failure to do so may lead
to your mail being classified as junk. Your application is not
accepted unless you receive the confirmation email within 24 hours.
Once the confirmation email is sent, it is not possible to cancel your
application; payment of the full visa fee is required. Amendment of
the visa date will cost £30.
Embassy’s bank account name (FOR EMAIL APPLICATION ONLY): Embassy of Vietnam
Add of account owner: 12, Victoria Rd, London W8 5RD
Bank account: 25894293
Sort code: 50-30-10
IBAN: GB 86 NWBK 503010 25894293
Swift code: NWBK GB 2L
Bank name: Natwest
Address: Kensington Royal Garden Branch
55, Kensington High Street London W8 5ZG (THIS IS NOT THE EMBASSY’s
ADDRESS – Do not post your passport to this address).
Postage charge: £8 for one passport; £12 for two passports
VISA FEES (not including postage charges) are as follows:
(Please note visa fees are the same for all age groups and for all
nationalities.
When applying by post, all fees can be paid by ONE cheque or postal order).
Tourist Visa Fees (Per passport):
- 30 days, single entry: £54 (regular process takes 5 working days).
Express service: £69 (2 day service), £75 (next day service).
- 30 days, multiple entry: £85 (regular process takes 5 working days). Express service: £105 (2 day service), £115 (next day service)
Apologies if it has already been shared.
Interestingly they advise against VOA and are very expensive
If you are enquiring about visa, please find all the relevant information below. Your other requests will be responded in due course.
BUSINESS VISA
Starting from 1st Jan 2015, the Embassy of Viet Nam temporarily stop processing Business visa application without Approval Letter due to the introduction of new Immigration Regulation. If you travel to Viet Nam for business purpose, your host organizations/partners/invitees in Vietnam will need to arrange your visa Approval Letter directly with the immigration office. The Embassy will issue business visa when the Approval Letter is submitted along with the application form and passport.
The Embassy may consider specific requests for business visa. Please contact us at [email protected].
TOURIST VISA
- Visa fees and bank account are listed at the end of this message.
- The quickest way to apply for visa is by email (you have to bring
your passport to the embassy to collect the visa). WE DO NOT ISSUE
VISA ON THE SAME DAY (see Processing time below)
- If the online form does not work, please print out the PFD form and
complete by hand (download form here:
http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/visaformf.pdf)
- The embassy only issues 30 days and 90 days visa.
- For non-EU passport holders (excluding Australian, USA, Canadian),
the visa process may take longer, please contact us for more
information.
- Upon receipt of your visa, you are required to make sure all
information on the visa is correct (especially passport number and
visa date). Any error must be notified to our staff immediately and
BEFORE your departure from the UK and Ireland. Failure to do so means
we will NOT take any responsibility when visa problems arise upon
arriving in Viet Nam and no refund and compensation will be available.
Travelers need to obtain standard visas from the Embassy of Vietnam before going to Viet Nam. We do not recommend visa-on-arrival and online visa (many offers on the internet for these type of visa are scams). Visa issued by the embassy of Vietnam is fully valid, you are
not required to pay any other fee upon arrival.
- To apply for a stick-on Visa from the embassy, please summit the
following documents: (1) an application form (to be completed online)
with a passport photo (standard UK Paspport photo) attached, (2) valid
passport. (Other documents may be requested when necessary). (3) Visa
fee payment (see full list of visa fee at the end section)
You can apply for Visa in person or by post. A third party can submit
relevant documents and collect visa on your behalf. Email application
is also possible if you use express visa service.
- Visa form has to be completed online here: http://visa.mofa.gov.vn/Homepage.aspx
The form has to be printed out if you apply in person or by post. If
you apply by email (see below) please save the PDF file and send as
attachment. (If the online form does not work, please print out the
PDF form and complete by hand, download form here: http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/visaformf.pdf
Please make sure all the information provided in the application form is correct. We will not
take any responsibility for the incorrect visa which is caused by the
errors in the application form.
- TYPES OF VISA: You do not need a visa to enter/re-enter Vietnam if
you do not cross immigration checkpoint when catching connecting
flights. SINGLE ENTRY visa is when you only entering Vietnam (crossing
border control) once. MULTIPLE ENTRY visa is when you enter Vietnam
(crossing border control) more than one time (re-entering Viet Nam
after leaving for another country). If you are traveling on a CRUISE,
please check with your tour organiser for the type of visa required.
- CHILDREN with their own passports have to apply for Visa.
- WHEN TO APPLY: You can apply for visa 6 months before traveling.
- Embassy address: 12 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD
- DATE OF ENTRY: The Visa will be valid from the Date of Entry
provided in the application form and extend for 30 or 90 days,
depending on Visa type. You can travel to Vietnam at any time after
(or on) the date of entry and must leave before the visa expires. If
you are unsure of your exact travel date, please put an early date to
allow yourself maximum flexibility.
- PROCESSING TIME: We do not issue visa on the same day. Regular
processing takes 5 working days. Using express service you can obtain
a visa the next day or 2 days later.
- APPLYING IN PERSON: Visa submission hours: 9:30-12:30 Monday to
Friday. No appointment needed. A third party can submit relevant
documents and collect visa on your behalf. PAYMENT: All fees must be
paid in CASH if you apply in person at the Embassy. The passport will
be kept at the embassy and can be collected after 5 working days with
the visa.
- APPLYING BY POST: please provide a self-addressed envelop (not
stamped) and Postage charge and Handling fee for returning your
passports: £8 for one passport; between 2-3 passports: £6/each
passport; between 4-7 passports: £5/each passport. Please note: if you
send a prepaid envelop, there is still handling fee of £3/passport.
All passports are posted by Royal Mail Registered post, express
delivery. PAYMENT: If application is made by post, please pay by
cheque or postal order payable to EMBASSY OF VIETNAM, (write your
name, telephone number, date of birth at the back), all in British
pounds only. Visa fee and postage charges can be paid by one
cheque/postal order/bank draft (when applying by post). DO NOT PAY BY
BANK TRANSFER IF YOU APPLY BY POST. Please post your application to:
Vietnam Embassy, 12 Victoria Road, London, W8 5RD.
- EMAIL APPLICATION (for express service only): Your application must
be submitted before 12.30 PM of each working day (email to:
[email protected]) and payment by bank transfer made
before 12:30PM. The complete application include: (1) Visa application
form (completed online, saved as PDF file and attached to the email);
(2) Copy of the photo page of your passport; (3) Confirmation of
payment of the visa fee. To collect the visa, please visit the embassy
with your passport. Someone else can collect the visa for you if
he/she brings your passport. Important notice: your email must say
“Visa application” in the SUBJECT section. Failure to do so may lead
to your mail being classified as junk. Your application is not
accepted unless you receive the confirmation email within 24 hours.
Once the confirmation email is sent, it is not possible to cancel your
application; payment of the full visa fee is required. Amendment of
the visa date will cost £30.
Embassy’s bank account name (FOR EMAIL APPLICATION ONLY): Embassy of Vietnam
Add of account owner: 12, Victoria Rd, London W8 5RD
Bank account: 25894293
Sort code: 50-30-10
IBAN: GB 86 NWBK 503010 25894293
Swift code: NWBK GB 2L
Bank name: Natwest
Address: Kensington Royal Garden Branch
55, Kensington High Street London W8 5ZG (THIS IS NOT THE EMBASSY’s
ADDRESS – Do not post your passport to this address).
Postage charge: £8 for one passport; £12 for two passports
VISA FEES (not including postage charges) are as follows:
(Please note visa fees are the same for all age groups and for all
nationalities.
When applying by post, all fees can be paid by ONE cheque or postal order).
Tourist Visa Fees (Per passport):
- 30 days, single entry: £54 (regular process takes 5 working days).
Express service: £69 (2 day service), £75 (next day service).
- 30 days, multiple entry: £85 (regular process takes 5 working days). Express service: £105 (2 day service), £115 (next day service)
Apr 18, 2015, 3:53 am
#577
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
FYI - The VN overseas embassy have been bad-mouthing VOA's for years. They depend on the revenue from direct visa issuance and have very little other function.
Apr 18, 2015, 4:23 am
#578
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 948
If you plan on visiting Viet Nam more than once or twice every 5 years in the future, it will make sense for you to apply for a visa waiver with your local Vietnamese consulate. The waiver lets you come and go as you please, with each stay limited to 3 months. It's good for 5 years or the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. Only a spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen is eligible.
Thanks for the info i will look into that as we will want to return yearly to visit her mother.^
Apr 18, 2015, 11:38 pm
#579
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I've heard this as well. There are 100 or so posts from people on Tripadvisor saying they've had no problems with VOAs and reliable agencies listed. I haven't ever heard of anyone actually being scammed -- just rumour.
Apr 19, 2015, 8:08 pm
#580
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
Posts: 1,779
If you plan on visiting Viet Nam more than once or twice every 5 years in the future, it will make sense for you to apply for a visa waiver with your local Vietnamese consulate. The waiver lets you come and go as you please, with each stay limited to 3 months. It's good for 5 years or the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. Only a spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen is eligible.
Apr 20, 2015, 5:13 pm
#581
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
Not just Vietnamese citizens. Spouse or children of overseas Vietnamese, such as Vietnamese-Americans or [name your country] are also qualified. I was surprised on my recent visit at the SF consulate, they they didn't even ask for proof of eligibility. Just submitted the visa exempt form along with the US passport was sufficient.
May 2, 2015, 12:20 am
#582
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 267
Does anyone know how busy the visa counter at HAN would be around 15:30 on a weekday? I'm leaning towards the pre-arranged "Visa on Arrival," but if the wait is going to be over 2 hours or so, it might be worth the extra money to get one stateside.
On that same note, does anyone have any recent recommendations for where to order VOAs?
On that same note, does anyone have any recent recommendations for where to order VOAs?
May 5, 2015, 4:13 pm
#583
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berlin
Posts: 1,765
I'll just do VOA at this point and save a fair amount of money.
May 6, 2015, 12:46 am
#584
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Belgium
Programs: Miles&More IHG
Posts: 148
VOA was bliss. So worth the money!
Even only needed one photo.. (it took me too long to get the second and the dude just went and it was ok)
Even only needed one photo.. (it took me too long to get the second and the dude just went and it was ok)
May 7, 2015, 3:05 am
#585
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Skyteam Elite Plus (KE Morning Calm Premium)
Posts: 819
EDIT - I think 24hour rule is for Transit without VISA (not allowed to leave the airport)
Last edited by poohhead80; May 7, 2015 at 3:12 am