What is the process and experience of applying for a Vietnam e-visa?

Vietnam e-visa Vietnam immigration e-visa application process visa on arrival Thai visa Da Nang travel COVID-19 travel regulations expat travel tips

May 31, 2023

a year ago

Duncan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Not Thailand related vs. the "everything else" part of this group - has anyone applied for a Vietnam e-visa in the last year or so? I have some questions - I haven't been to Vietnam since COVID before an e-visa was an option. It's currently cheaper for me to fly and stay in Da Nang than Hua Hin from CNX - that was the choice :) 

Do you get a printout that you can use in the immigration queue vs. the old VOA you have to get preapproval for, then queue up for an hour or two on arrival to get it before then going through immigration? Am I correct in thinking the e-visa doesn't involve a full-page visa sticker in my passport? 

Also, for those who have applied, how long did it take. The website says three days. 

I already have a multi-re-entry stamp for my two-year Thai extension of stay and I don't qualify for visa-exempt/free entry into Vietnam.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the experiences and queries related to obtaining a Vietnam e-visa, especially highlighting the differences between the e-visa and traditional visa on arrival. Users confirmed that the e-visa process is fairly straightforward, with applicants receiving a PDF that does not require a full-page sticker in their passport. Most suggested that it typically takes 3 to 5 business days for approval, and it’s generally recommended to have a printed copy for airline check-in, while immigration may not always ask for it. Some users shared insights about issues faced during payment and details needed for the application.

Cliff *********

I have gotten three Vietnam e-visas in the last 9 months. It’s easy.

You will need LOW resolution photos of your passport picture page and and a front face photo.

The rest of the form is very easy to fill out.

You will need name of a hotel but not actual registration.

It takes less than a week to get it back.

You will need to print it out for the IO, though possibly a screen shot is ok???

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a year ago

Donna *******

Currently in DaNang. E-visa application is simple however some people have issues with payment on the platform it was ok for me. Make sure you complete 100% correctly. I printed out a copy and it was checked by airline checkin staff line by line and immigration on arrival. It takes 3-5 days to be approved and you can apply 3 months from memory in advance. By the way An Thuong in DaNang is a great spot.

a year ago

Evisa through their official e-visa site. Takes minimum 5 working days these days. And you can enter only on the port of entry you speicify in the VISA application. Airline will ask for it at checkin and you show it at immigration when you enter Vietnam along with your passport. DO TAKE THE PRINTOUT.

a year ago

David **********

The Evisa is pretty easy to do online. It's not a full page visa, just a PDF. But everything is done electronically, so you won't need to show it in Vietnam. Occasionally, the airline will ask for it at checkin.

a year ago

Garrett ***********

Evisa and the visa on arrival are 2 different things. The Evisa is a proper tourist visa, not a pre approval for a visa on arrival.

It takes 3 business days from when you apply. You'll get an email when it's approved, you need to print it out for the airline (immigration doesn't need a print out though, as the visa is in their system with your passport number). When you fly in, just go to the immigration desk and get stamped in. It works really well. Only reason to use the visa on arrival is if you don't have enough time to apply for the evisa.

a year ago

Darren *******

@Garrett **********

no visas on arrival for tourists

Garrett ***********

What?

Darren *******

e-visa in advance or visa exempt if from one of 15 or so countries. You can't just rock up to Vietnam without being in one of those two categories.

Well, I guess you could classify paying for a tour as a visa on arrival, no idea how those work but they cost a bomb.

a year ago

Garrett ***********

@Darren ******

Vietnam has a visa on arrival for most nationalities, including US passport holders. You need a "letter of invitation" from any agency (costs $10-$50 depending on speed) and when you arrive at the airport you buy a visa. They only accept USD.

a year ago

Darren *******

@Garrett **********

visa on arrival for tourists hasn't been available since covid. Evisa is what has to be done now.

a year ago

Garrett ***********

@Darren ******

Oh ok, I know they suspended it during covid. I just assumed it was back to normal after they opened up.

a year ago

Darren *******

@Garrett **********

nah, hasn't returned and I haven't heard of any plans to bring it back. They're about to introduce their equivalent of GDPR either tomorrow or 1 July, forgotten which one, which would make it impossible to bring that letter back. Whether they follow their own rules, however, is another thing altogether 🤣

a year ago

Darren *******

That letter, which had multiple people's names and passport details on, has also gone

a year ago

Reply to

Darren *******

Brandon ************

Yes they will send you an e-mail with a PDF that you can print out. I believe it's also linked to your passport as I brought the printout with me but they never asked for it. I didn't do anything special when I arrived, just got in line for passport control and didn't get any big sticker in my passport.

When I did it last November it was pretty new and took over a week.

a year ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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