Who Is Eligible for the Vietnam eVisa?
Vietnam opened its eVisa programme to citizens of all countries and territories worldwide in August 2023 under an amendment to the Immigration Law — a significant expansion from the original 80-country pilot. In practice, holders of passports from most Western, Southeast Asian, and East Asian nations apply routinely and successfully.
However, a small number of nationalities continue to experience difficulties with the portal or require additional documentation. If you hold a passport from a country with diplomatic tensions with Vietnam, check the official portal or contact the nearest Vietnamese Embassy before applying online.
eVisa vs. Visa Exemption
Some nationalities do not need any visa for short stays. Before paying for an eVisa, check whether your passport qualifies for a visa-free arrangement with Vietnam.
| Country / Region | Entry Option | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany, France, Italy, Spain | Visa-Free | 45 days | Expanded exemption since Aug 2023 |
| UK, Ireland | Visa-Free | 45 days | No registration required on arrival |
| USA, Canada, Australia | eVisa Required | 90 days | Single or multiple entry, $25 |
| India | eVisa Required | 90 days | Eligible; portal acceptance rate is high |
| China | Visa-Free | 30 days | Bilateral agreement; eVisa also accepted |
| South Korea, Japan | Visa-Free | 45 days | Can use eVisa for longer stays (up to 90d) |
| Russia, Ukraine | eVisa Required | 90 days | No visa exemption; portal works normally |
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
The entire application is done at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — the official portal operated by Vietnam's Immigration Department. The process takes 10–15 minutes if your documents are ready.
Prepare your documents before starting
Have these ready before opening the portal: passport (valid min. 6 months beyond your intended exit date), a JPEG photo of your face (see photo requirements below), a scan of your passport bio-data page (JPEG or PDF, under 2MB), and a valid credit or debit card for the $25 fee.
Open the official portal and select "Grant e-Visa"
Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. On the homepage, click Grant e-Visa to foreigners. Do not use the "Extend/Modify" or "Check Status" options at this stage.
Fill in your personal and travel details
Enter your nationality, full name exactly as it appears in your passport, date of birth, passport number, and intended entry/exit dates. Select your port of entry (airport or land border crossing) — this is informational only and does not restrict where you can actually enter.
Under "Purpose of visit", select Tourism for sightseeing or leisure travel.
Upload your portrait photo and passport scan
This is the most common rejection point — see the detailed photo requirements in the next section. Both uploads must be JPEG format. The portal will preview your photo; if the face detection fails, it will not let you proceed.
Review and pay the $25 fee
Review all details carefully — especially your name and passport number. Errors here cause rejections or border issues and require a new application with another $25 fee. Accepted payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay. Note: some cards issued outside the US may be declined — have a backup card ready.
Save your application code and wait
After payment, you receive a registration code — save this immediately (screenshot + email it to yourself). Processing takes 3 business days. Check status at the portal using your registration code and passport number. You will receive an email when the eVisa is ready.
Download and print your eVisa
Once approved, download the eVisa PDF. Print a physical copy — Vietnamese immigration officers require a printed eVisa at the border; a phone screen is typically not accepted, particularly at land crossings. Carry both digital and printed copies.
Photo Requirements — The #1 Rejection Cause
A significant proportion of eVisa rejections and delays come from photo uploads that fail the portal's automated face-detection check. The system is stricter than most passport photo standards. Follow these specifications exactly.
If the face detection fails during upload, the portal displays a generic error. Most travellers solve this by: (1) using a photo taken against a physical white wall rather than a digitally replaced background, (2) ensuring no shadows fall across the face, and (3) cropping the image so the face fills 70–80% of the frame.
Payment Methods & Common Card Issues
The portal accepts major international cards — Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and UnionPay. However, a number of travellers report card declines even with valid international credit cards. This is not a problem with your card balance; it relates to how some banks flag overseas government portal transactions.
- Try a different card — Mastercard credit cards have the highest reported success rate on the portal; debit cards from smaller regional banks are most frequently declined
- Disable transaction alerts then retry — some bank fraud systems block the portal after flagging it as unusual; temporarily enabling international transactions in your banking app may help
- Use a travel card — Wise, Revolut, and similar travel debit cards work reliably on the portal based on consistent traveller reports
- Clear browser cache — the portal occasionally retains session data that causes payment form errors; a fresh browser window resolves most cases
- PayPal is not accepted — the portal does not support PayPal or any buy-now-pay-later method
Processing Times & Approval Rates
The official processing window is 3 business days. Based on traveller reports collected between January and May 2026, actual processing times are as follows:
| Scenario | Typical Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard application, weekday submission | 1–3 business days | Most approvals arrive within 48 hours |
| Submitted Friday afternoon (Vietnam time) | 4–5 days | Weekend days not counted as business days |
| During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) | 7–10 days | Government offices closed; allow extra time |
| Application with photo issues (resubmit) | 5–7 days total | Rejection notification arrives in 1–2 days |
| Peak tourist season (Dec–Jan, Jul–Aug) | 3–5 days | Slightly elevated volume but rarely delayed |
Approval rates for eligible nationalities applying with correct documents are very high — traveller communities report approval rates above 95% for first-time applicants with complete submissions. The most common rejection reasons, in order, are: photo not meeting specifications, passport validity too short, and name mismatch between form and passport.
Using Your eVisa at the Border
The Vietnam eVisa is valid at all international entry points — airports, seaports, and land border crossings. There are no restrictions on which port you use, regardless of what you selected during the application.
At the Airport (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang)
Proceed to the immigration counters. Present your passport and your printed eVisa document. The officer will scan your visa QR code, verify your passport, and stamp your entry. The process typically takes 2–5 minutes per person at major international airports, though queues at peak arrival times (early morning long-haul flights into HAN and SGN) can add 30–45 minutes of total waiting time.
At Land Border Crossings
Vietnam has multiple active land crossings with Cambodia, Laos, and China. The eVisa is accepted at all designated international crossings. A printed copy is strongly recommended — border officers at land crossings are less consistent in accepting phone screens than airport immigration staff.
- Major Cambodia crossings: Moc Bai (Tay Ninh province), Bavet–Moc Bai, Xa Mat
- Major Laos crossings: Lao Bao (Quang Tri), Nam Phao–Cau Treo, Bo Y
- China crossings: Huu Nghi/Friendship Pass (Lang Son), Lao Cai–Hekou