Vietnam is known as an attractive country not only for travelers but also investors. And for them, Vietnam visa is perhaps the very first thing to be prepared before the trip. Some of them might encounter pain as they failed to get full information about Vietnam visa. It is the reason why this instruction is provided.
At first, as a traveler to Vietnam, you are highly recommended to check if you need a visa to Vietnam or not. If not, you are not required to continue reading this instruction, just prepare your passport which is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and present at your entry point to enter Vietnam. In case a Vietnam visa is needed, let read the rest to know how to obtain a Vietnam visa.
There are currently two ways to get a visa for Vietnam: apply for visa via a local Vietnam embassy (in your country or in a third country) or apply for Vietnam visa on arrival. Let’s figure out how these ways work.
1. Apply for Vietnam visa via a local Vietnam embassy
Works for all travelers to Vietnam.
What documents required?
* Original passport: valid for at least 06 months prior to arrival date;
* Vietnam visa application form: available at office or website of the embassy you will apply at. Do not use form of other embassy(ies) as it may not be accepted. The form must be completed and signed.
* 01 recent passport-sized photograph: taken in color on white background
* Vietnam visa fee: depending on type of visa you select. It may vary slightly from embassy to embassy.
All the above are just general documents required to apply for visa at embassy. You may be required to provide more supporting documents by the embassy. So, you should contact the embassy you will apply at to know details about the requirements and fees to avoid possible processing delays.
How long will processing take?
Normally, the processing time of visa at Vietnam embassy is 3 or 5 working days.
See address of Vietnam embassies in the world at http://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-embassy-information/.
2. Apply for Vietnam visa on arrival
Works for travelers to Vietnam by AIR only
How Vietnam visa on arrival works?
Don’t think that with Vietnam visa on arrival, you only need to fly to Vietnam, submit the visa application form at Vietnam airport and then pick up full visa right away there. The procedure itself is more involved but easy to follow. In order to get visa for Vietnam upon arrival, you need to obtain a visa approval letter prior to departure. Here are 2 steps to get it:
* Fill out online Vietnam visa application form. In this step, you only need to provide contact information (name, email, and phone number), visa information (visa type, duration, arrival airport and purpose of visit) and applicant’s information (full name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number and passport expiry date).
* Make payment of service fee online with your credit card.
Then you can relax and wait for the approval letter to come into your email within 1 or 2 working days.
Procedure to pick up visa at Vietnam airport upon arrival
At arrival airport, you are asked to show the following documents to immigration officer:
* Original passport with minimum of 06 months validity
* Printed copy of approval letter
* Completed entry-exit form (sent to email together with the visa approval letter)
* 02 passport-sized photos
* Stamping fee (in USD or VND)
This procedure may take you around 15 minutes.
This is basic information about Vietnam visa, including guide to determine whether you need a visa for your trip to Vietnam and how to get a Vietnam visa. Which way best fitting your trip is your choice!
