Vietnam Visa Guide 2026: Visa Types, Eligibility, and Application

(VIETNAM) Vietnam’s entry rules for 2026 are split into three main paths—visa-free entry, an online e-visa, or visa on arrival—and the right choice depends on your nationality, entry point, and how long you plan to stay. For many travelers, the e-visa is the simplest route because it’s online and valid for up to 90 days for single or multiple entries.

The biggest practical change for trip planning is Vietnam’s wider visa-free program, which now covers 39 countries with stays that range from 14 to 90 days depending on nationality. That expansion affects flight bookings, hotel stays, and whether you need to budget time for immigration paperwork before departure.

First check: do you qualify for visa-free entry in 2026?

Vietnam now offers visa-free entry to citizens of 39 countries, but the allowed stay length varies by nationality. If you qualify, this is the fastest path because you skip pre-travel visa paperwork and only need to meet entry conditions at the border.

Two large groups of travelers get 45-day visa-free stays tied to Vietnam’s tourism stimulus policies:

• Added on August 15, 2025 and effective through August 14, 2028:
• Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
• Extended on March 5, 2025 through 2028:
• Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland.

Other visa-exempt nationalities listed include Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, with stay lengths that differ by country.

Even if you’re visa-exempt, Vietnam still expects basic entry readiness. Plan to meet these conditions:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry
• At least one blank page for stamps
• You must not be in a restricted or prohibited entry category
• A return or onward ticket is recommended
• Accommodation details such as a hotel booking or host information

Important: Visa exemption speeds border processing but does not remove basic entry requirements. Meet passport, ticket, and accommodation expectations to avoid delays.

If you’re not visa-exempt: choosing between e-visa, visa on arrival, and an embassy visa

Travelers who don’t qualify for visa-free entry need a visa before arriving or arranged for issuance on arrival. Citizens of the United States 🇺🇸 and most other nationalities must obtain a valid visa to enter Vietnam. U.S. passport holders can apply for single or multiple entry visas valid for up to 90 days.

How the three routes differ:

• E-visa
• Best for most trips: online, predictable, and straightforward.
• Visa on arrival
• Works only for air arrivals at selected airports and requires an approval letter before boarding.
• Embassy or consulate visa
• Preferred for land or sea entry, or when you want consular handling and a physical visa before travel.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most last-minute Vietnam travel problems come down to mismatching the visa method to the arrival route—especially travelers who plan a land crossing but only prepared paperwork meant for airport arrival.

Vietnam e-visa: the most direct online process for 2026

Vietnam’s e-visa is the main online option and is valid for a maximum of 90 days for single or multiple entries. For official instructions and the application entry point, use the Vietnam Immigration Department e-visa portal: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.

What to prepare before you apply

E-visa applications typically ask for two core uploads:

• A clear image of your passport data page
• A portrait photo sized 4×6 cm in .jpg format

Keep details consistent across passport, flight booking, and application form to minimize delays.

A special warning for U.S. travelers: applicants holding 12-page U.S. emergency passports can be denied an e-visa for entry into Vietnam. If you’re traveling on an emergency passport, resolve this before making nonrefundable bookings.

E-visa application steps and timing (4 steps)

1. Apply online through the official portal and complete every required field.
2. Upload the passport page image and the portrait photo in the required format.
3. Pay the e-visa fee of USD 25 and save your registration code.
4. Expect processing in 3–7 working days, with faster service levels offered for travelers on tight timelines.

Note: Some third-party operators advertise additional “service fees.” Focus on the government fee and your deadline when deciding whether to use paid assistance.

Visa on arrival: flexible for flyers, but it’s not a walk-up visa

The visa on arrival is popular, but the name can be misleading. You must obtain an approval letter before departure, then receive the visa stamp at the airport.

This route only works when you fly into one of Vietnam’s three international airports listed for visa on arrival processing: Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re arriving by land or sea, plan an embassy visa instead.

Visa on arrival steps and what the airport officer expects (4 steps)

1. Apply online for a visa approval letter before departure.
2. Wait for processing, commonly 2–7 working days, depending on the speed you select.
3. On arrival, go to the immigration counter with your documents.
4. Pay the stamping fee in cash and receive the visa stamp in your passport.

At the counter, be ready to present:

• Your original passport
• A printed approval letter
• A completed entry-exit form
• Two recent passport-type photos

Stamping fees (paid in cash at arrival):

• USD 25 for single-entry 1- or 3-month visas
• USD 50 for multiple-entry visas

Embassy or consulate visas: the dependable option for land and sea entry

If you plan to enter Vietnam by land crossing or seaport, the embassy or consulate visa route is usually the cleanest match. It’s also useful when you want a physical visa issued before travel so airline check-in and onward travel feel less stressful.

Standard documents for an in-person embassy application:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of exit from Vietnam
• Two passport photos (light/white background, no glasses, head-and-shoulders framing)
• A completed visa application form
• The applicable visa fee

Practical note: Based on guidance travelers use, no appointment is necessary for in-person applications at the embassy. Still, build extra time into your plan because embassy workloads vary.

Matching the visa type to your purpose of travel

Vietnam issues visas based on the purpose of travel as well as duration. Common categories include:

• Tourist visas — usually issued for 30 or 90 days, single or multiple entry
• Business visas — may require sponsorship from a Vietnamese entity
• Student visas — for travelers enrolled in academic programs in Vietnam
• Working visas — tied to employment authorization documents

If your activities in Vietnam don’t match the visa you hold, you risk problems at entry or during in-country checks.

Costs and timelines travelers actually plan around

For 2026 planning, travelers usually compare two price points: the official e-visa fee and the visa on arrival stamping fee.

• E-visa fee: USD 25 (government fee)
• Visa on arrival stamping fees: USD 25 for eligible single-entry visas; USD 50 for multiple-entry visas (paid in cash on arrival)

Processing-price ranges often shown for paid e-visa processing services (third-party service layers):

These figures matter when you pay for speed through a service layer rather than the base government e-visa fee.

What immigration officers focus on at entry, and how to avoid problems

Vietnam’s immigration checks are routine when your documents match your story. Problems arise when travelers arrive with:

• The wrong visa method for their arrival route
• A passport too close to expiry
• Missing photos or printed paperwork required for airport processing

A simple pre-departure checklist prevents most issues:

• Confirm your passport has 6+ months validity and a blank page
• Print your e-visa result or visa on arrival approval letter
• Carry two passport photos if you’re using visa on arrival
• Keep a copy of your hotel booking and onward travel plan

Warning: Vietnam enforces its immigration laws. Violations can lead to fines, deportation, or future entry bans. Treat your visa as a legal status, not a travel accessory.