Vietnam e-visa: who can apply, fees, validity and border gates

According to the official e-visa portal, an e-visa can be issued to a foreign national who holds a passport, is outside Vietnam and:

• is not in the groups listed in Article 8, clauses 1–4 of the Immigration Law (official delegations, diplomatic and consular staff, and people visiting them — they apply through the inviting agency instead);
• is not in a case where entry is suspended under Article 21 of the same Law.

The e-visa is for people entering Vietnam. If you are already in Vietnam, the portal says you can request a new e-visa only after you leave the country. To stay longer without leaving, the procedure is different and goes through a sponsor in Vietnam.

• Validity: up to 90 days, for a single entry or multiple entries.
• Your passport must remain valid at least 30 days longer than the e-visa (Article 9, clause 8 of the Law; repeated in the portal's FAQ).
• You can apply up to 1 year before your planned entry.
• You do not have to leave through the same border gate you entered — but every entry and exit must be through a gate on the e-visa list.

At the border, show your e-visa to the immigration officer and check the stay stamp in your passport. The portal warns that a traveller who forgot to show a multiple-entry e-visa was admitted under a visa exemption instead, with a shorter stay.

Before you fly, the Immigration Department recommends completing the pre-arrival declaration to make entry quicker.

You pay the fee on the portal's own payment gateway with a card, confirmed by a one-time password (OTP). The portal states the fee is not refundable if the visa is not granted. We do not collect government fees: you always pay the government directly. Other fees, such as extensions or residence cards, are on our page about Vietnam visa fees.

You must enter and leave Vietnam through international border gates designated by the Government. The portal's Instructions page lists 15 airports, 27 land border gates and 39 seaports.

• Airports include Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Cat Bi, Can Tho, Phu Bai, Van Don and others.
• Land gates include Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Huu Nghi, Mong Cai, Lao Cai, Cau Treo, Bo Y and others.
• Seaports include Chan May, Cam Pha and other major ports.

Check the full list on the portal before you book a land or sea crossing — the list is updated by the Government.

The Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal sets the processing time at no more than 3 working days from the date the Immigration Department receives complete information and the fee. Applications are received Monday to Saturday and results are returned Monday to Friday, except public holidays and Tet. There is no paid express lane. You follow your application on the portal's search page with your electronic profile ID, date of birth and email.

If your trip is very close, the e-visa may still be the fastest route, but no one can promise a date. Some people may qualify for visa exemption instead. A visa on arrival is only possible in specific cases and needs a sponsor to apply in advance.

1. Upload a portrait photo and the photo page of your biometric passport.
2. Check the passport details the system fills in, then complete every required field in English.
3. Review the form and enter the verification code.
4. Pay the fee on the portal and keep your electronic profile ID.
5. Look up the result on the portal and keep a copy of your e-visa for the border.

The photo rules, each part of the form and common mistakes are on our step-by-step guide: how to apply for a Vietnam e-visa.