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
Aug 28, 2018, 12:24 pm
#1471
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Arrival by Boat
plans changed
Last edited by craz; Nov 12, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Aug 29, 2018, 7:51 am
#1472
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 254
I know this is true for the visa-exemption countries, such as the UK, Germany, etc, but was not sure it applied to the e-visa.
Back to the question a few posts ago, for OP it might not be necessary to get a second entry. The "Pho" error fare on QR had a lot of people connecting in SGN without entering Vietnam. Might be hard to rely on that, but you could get one VOA, and if not needed because the transfer desk works out, you could use it on the real entry later. Checked bags might complicate that, but you can read the QR fare thread to get some ideas. If you do use the VOA on the first stop at SGN, you can get another VOA before coming back 10 days later. You could also do this with the e-visa, of course, unless the 10 days is too short a time-frame now for e-visa or the restriction invisible mentions is accurate.
Back to the question a few posts ago, for OP it might not be necessary to get a second entry. The "Pho" error fare on QR had a lot of people connecting in SGN without entering Vietnam. Might be hard to rely on that, but you could get one VOA, and if not needed because the transfer desk works out, you could use it on the real entry later. Checked bags might complicate that, but you can read the QR fare thread to get some ideas. If you do use the VOA on the first stop at SGN, you can get another VOA before coming back 10 days later. You could also do this with the e-visa, of course, unless the 10 days is too short a time-frame now for e-visa or the restriction invisible mentions is accurate.
Oct 7, 2018, 5:34 pm
#1473
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: CHS
Posts: 145
Vietnam E-Visa - questions
We are leaving in late december - for the e-visa, can we come in to Hanoi and leave through Danang? Also- the picture (portrait) we upload- does it have to be professional or can we take it with our phones?
I had read that at a travel blogger's website (picture).
I had read that at a travel blogger's website (picture).
Oct 10, 2018, 12:09 pm
#1474
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Can enter in one airport and leave via another airport.
For photo, I don't know for sure but I think as long as it has a white background and looks professional it doesn't matter who takes it or what type of camera. I have used phone pics and printed on photo paper for the VOA.
For photo, I don't know for sure but I think as long as it has a white background and looks professional it doesn't matter who takes it or what type of camera. I have used phone pics and printed on photo paper for the VOA.
Oct 11, 2018, 9:17 am
#1475
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
my guess is that as long as the photo meets the requirements for size, resolution, view, background (or whatever) it shouldn't matter what kind of camera you use. Since you're submitting a digital file they don't know or care what sort of camera or photographer was involved.
Nov 3, 2018, 7:47 am
#1476
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 50
Has anyone used the eVisa to board Asiana in JFK? I'm flying JFK-HAN (with a stop in ICN) in a couple of weeks and have the eVisa but I saw a poster had issues with Asiana accepting the eVisa on another board. I called them and they weren't very reassuring....they mentioned the VOA letter. I know they SHOULD accept the eVisa and I shouldn't have to get the VOA as well, but if I'm wondering if I might need the VOA for Asiana and I should get one just to be safe and not risk my trip. Anyone had any recent experience with them?
Nov 3, 2018, 9:06 pm
#1477
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Has anyone used the eVisa to board Asiana in JFK? I'm flying JFK-HAN (with a stop in ICN) in a couple of weeks and have the eVisa but I saw a poster had issues with Asiana accepting the eVisa on another board. I called them and they weren't very reassuring....they mentioned the VOA letter. I know they SHOULD accept the eVisa and I shouldn't have to get the VOA as well, but if I'm wondering if I might need the VOA for Asiana and I should get one just to be safe and not risk my trip. Anyone had any recent experience with them?
Both flights were on the same PNR
Nov 4, 2018, 9:35 am
#1478
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 50
I just flew the other week JFK-ICN (stayed 4 nights) then to XIY (China) At no time @ JFK or ICN was I asked to produce my Chinese Visa, which I didnt have as I was doing TWOV, and I wasnt asked if I was gonna be doing TWOV either,at both airports
Both flights were on the same PNR
Both flights were on the same PNR
Nov 4, 2018, 9:54 pm
#1479
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 40
I already applied for VOA (Canadian citizen). I wasn't aware of the evisa at the time.
Since I have to pay $25 anyways, can I just apply for the evisa now? Will it conflict with any of the VOA docs I've already received?
Since I have to pay $25 anyways, can I just apply for the evisa now? Will it conflict with any of the VOA docs I've already received?
Nov 5, 2018, 7:52 am
#1480
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Programs: QF, LM, AA,VA Silver, Qatar, Accor Gold, CC Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott B Plat
Posts: 535
I had both earlier this year just to be safe, as the evisa was very new to Australians and I heard there were issues last year when USA got access to this.
But the process is much quicker when you arrive now, you just print out the document that the website sends you and hand that to immigration with your passport, then walk through to pick up your luggage. No need to line up anymore at visa on arrival section.
If you are doing a multi-entry visa, then you will still need to do the VOA as the evisa is only for single entry.
Last edited by Rusell; Nov 5, 2018 at 7:57 am Reason: adding more detail
Nov 5, 2018, 12:45 pm
#1481
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 40
Yes you can, the paperwork that you already have is an invitation letter right?
I had both earlier this year just to be safe, as the evisa was very new to Australians and I heard there were issues last year when USA got access to this.
But the process is much quicker when you arrive now, you just print out the document that the website sends you and hand that to immigration with your passport, then walk through to pick up your luggage. No need to line up anymore at visa on arrival section.
If you are doing a multi-entry visa, then you will still need to do the VOA as the evisa is only for single entry.
I had both earlier this year just to be safe, as the evisa was very new to Australians and I heard there were issues last year when USA got access to this.
But the process is much quicker when you arrive now, you just print out the document that the website sends you and hand that to immigration with your passport, then walk through to pick up your luggage. No need to line up anymore at visa on arrival section.
If you are doing a multi-entry visa, then you will still need to do the VOA as the evisa is only for single entry.
Nov 5, 2018, 3:09 pm
#1482
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,193
Nov 6, 2018, 4:44 pm
#1483
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 50
I got both...should be fine.
My husband's Evisa came through in 24hrs....mine took 3 days...we applied at the same time. It says on the site 3 working days...although mine came through on the weekend!
My husband's Evisa came through in 24hrs....mine took 3 days...we applied at the same time. It says on the site 3 working days...although mine came through on the weekend!
Nov 7, 2018, 7:23 am
#1484
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Programs: QF, LM, AA,VA Silver, Qatar, Accor Gold, CC Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott B Plat
Posts: 535
Nov 10, 2018, 4:41 am
#1485
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 456
I've decided to go with the VoA for multiple entry. I have over 3 hours to connect, so assuming all goes well with flights, I'm hopeful I'll have plenty of time even if there is a line at VoA. Thanks for the advice and I'll be sure to report back if for some reason there are issues encountered.
FYI. You could have checked bag all the way thru if all Sky Team on different PNRs.