Quick answer
Vietnam e-visa guide: it costs US$25 single or US$50 multiple entry and lasts up to 90 days. Apply only on evisa.gov.vn; see exempt countries and VOA rules.
The Vietnam e-visa is an online visa issued by Vietnam's Immigration Department. It costs US$25 for a single entry or US$50 for multiple entries, and it is valid for a maximum of 90 days. You apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn (the same system also runs on thithucdientu.gov.vn), unless your passport is on the visa-exempt list.
Rules change, so every fact below comes from Vietnamese government sources listed at the end.
Key takeaways
- Vietnam's official e-visa costs US$25 (single entry) or US$50 (multiple entry), per the Immigration Department portal.
- It's valid for up to 90 days, and the fee is non-refundable if the visa isn't granted.
- Apply only at evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
- Some passports are exempt for 45 days; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list.
What is the Vietnam e-visa?
According to Vietnam's National Electronic Visa system, run by the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, the e-visa is issued to foreigners outside Vietnam who hold a passport. They must not be subject to an entry ban under Article 21 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners. Validity is a maximum of 90 days.
📋 Citation Capsule
According to the Vietnam Immigration Department's National Electronic Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), the Vietnam e-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days for single or multiple entries. It costs US$25 for a single entry and US$50 for multiple entries, and the fee is non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
Key points the portal states:
- Validity is a maximum of 90 days, for single or multiple entries.
- You can apply up to one year before your planned entry.
- You must be outside Vietnam when you apply. People already residing in Vietnam cannot use the system.
- The fee is paid through the portal's payment gateway and is non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
- E-visa holders must enter and exit through the international border gates approved by the government. The portal lists 15 airports, including Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc, plus land and sea gates.
- You do not have to leave through the same gate you entered.
🔍 Unique Insight
Because the fee is non-refundable even when the visa is refused, a mistake in your application costs real money. Slow down on the passport and declaration steps, and check every field before you pay.
Which website is the official Vietnam e-visa portal?
The Vietnam Immigration Department's own FAQ says to apply at evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. It warns that unofficial sites "may result in unauthorized fees." The Vietnamese Embassy in India makes the same point: all other websites are not legitimate. Lookalike sites are the most common trap.
Before you pay, check two things:
- The address is exactly evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
- The fee shown is US$25 (single) or US$50 (multiple), with no extra service line you did not choose.
If either check fails, close the page. Why risk your card details on a site the government doesn't run?
How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost and how long does it take?
According to the official portal, the fee is US$25 for a single entry and US$50 for multiple entries, valid up to 90 days. The portal does not state one binding processing time. The Vietnamese Embassy in India says processing takes 5 to 30 working days after it receives the full application and fee.
| Item | Official position |
|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa fee | US$25 |
| Multiple-entry e-visa fee | US$50 |
| Maximum validity | 90 days |
| Refund if refused | No, fee is non-refundable |
| Apply how early | Up to 1 year before entry |
| Passport validity | See note below |
| Result | Check on the portal's search page with your registration code, email and date of birth |
Processing time. The Embassy in India's FAQ advises applying well ahead and waiting for the e-visa before making non-refundable bookings. Treat any "approved in 24 hours" promise on a third-party site with caution.
Passport validity. The portal FAQ says the e-visa validity must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport validity. The Embassy in India's FAQ says the passport should have an expiry date at least 6 months after arrival. For visa-exempt entry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list requires a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Planning for 6 months avoids a conflict between these statements.
Printing. The Embassy in India's FAQ tells travelers to print the e-visa and carry it with the passport. Save your registration code, as you need it to look up the result.
🔍 Unique Insight
The two sources give different passport rules, so the safe move is the stricter one. A passport with at least 6 months left satisfies the portal's 30-day gap, the Embassy's wording and the exemption list at once.
What do you upload and declare?
According to the portal's instruction page, the application has three steps: upload a portrait photo and the passport data page, complete the declaration in English, then confirm and pay by card. You check the details the system reads from your passport.
- Upload a portrait photo and the passport data page. The system reads the passport and fills in personal information; you check it. The photo must be a recent 4x6 cm JPG or JPEG under 2 MB, front-facing, no hat, no glasses, white background.
- Complete the declaration in English. Fill in every required field (marked with an asterisk), and use the passport's ICAO line (the two lines at the bottom of the data page) for your full name in uppercase.
- Confirm, enter the verification code, and pay by credit or debit card with OTP verification.
The portal states that an application is denied if the authority finds dishonest information. The FAQ also says you should declare past violations from earlier entries. You must give the first address where you will stay. Declare it exactly as you will use it, and do not enter placeholders.
You can check status at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/search.
When should you plan flights?
After you know your dates. The portal lets you apply up to one year before entry, and it requires entry and exit through the approved border gates. Your e-visa dates should match your trip, and the entry gate you choose must be on the approved list.
If your dates are still moving, compare routes and fares to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang first, then fix the visa window. To compare flights into the approved airports, search before you lock your dates.
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Who is exempt from the Vietnam e-visa?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption list, several European and Asian passports can enter without a visa for 45 days. Resolution 44/NQ-CP covers 12 countries until 14 March 2028. Resolution 229/NQ-CP covers another 12 for tourism until 14 August 2028. Phu Quoc has its own 30-day exemption.
📋 Citation Capsule
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam lists 45-day visa-free entry for ordinary passports of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland until 14 March 2028 under Resolution 44/NQ-CP. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry.
For ordinary passports, the main tourist-relevant groups are:
- 45 days, any purpose, until 14 March 2028 (Resolution 44/NQ-CP): Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.
- 45 days for tourism, 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028 (Resolution 229/NQ-CP): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.
- Phu Quoc island: holders of foreign passports are exempt for up to 30 days when entering and exiting through Phu Quoc, per Decision 80/2020/QD-TTg as noted on the MFA list.
- Other countries have shorter or longer exemptions under bilateral agreements. Check the MFA list for your passport.
Conditions: the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and you must not fall under an entry-refusal case. British National (Overseas) passports are not exempt. Staying beyond 45 days, or entering for work, needs a visa or other permit. The exemption periods are counted from the date of entry, and exemptions are policy decisions that can be extended or ended, so check the list again before you buy flights.
E-visa vs visa exemption vs visa on arrival: what's the difference?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department, the e-visa suits most travelers applying from abroad, exemption needs no application, and a visa at the border gate is limited to specific cases. The e-visa allows up to 90 days; the exempt 45-day stays are shorter.
| E-visa | Visa exemption | Visa on arrival (approval letter) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Most passport holders applying from abroad | Passports on the MFA exemption list | Only in specific cases under the Immigration Law |
| Max stay | Up to 90 days | Varies by country; 45 days for the 24 countries above | Based on the approval letter |
| Cost | US$25 or US$50 | None | Check the current fee schedule with the Vietnamese authority |
| Apply | Online, evisa.gov.vn | No application | A sponsor in Vietnam applies first; you fill a form at the border gate |
| Entry points | Approved border gates only | Border gates under entry rules | International border gates |
| Best for | Longer stays, non-exempt passports | Short trips by eligible passports | Rare cases, not a default tourist route |
📋 Citation Capsule
Vietnam's Government news portal (baochinhphu.vn) explains that a visa at an international border gate is issued only in listed cases, such as when departing from a country with no Vietnamese visa authority or on tours organized by international travel agencies in Vietnam. Travelers show a valid passport and fill in a form at the checkpoint.
On visa on arrival: The Vietnamese Embassy in the US also describes the "letter of approval" route, where a host organization requests approval from the competent Vietnamese authority first. Another listed case is when you traveled to other countries before arriving. No official processing time for approval letters at airports was found, so none is given here. For most tourists, the e-visa is simpler.
Can Indian passport holders get the Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. The Vietnamese Embassy in India states that Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, valid up to 90 days for single or multiple entry. India's ordinary passport is not on the visa-exempt list, so Indian tourists generally need a visa.
Only diplomatic and official passports are exempt. The Embassy also says it cannot approve, correct, or check e-visas; those requests go to the Immigration Department. For the rest, follow the portal steps above. Read the Vietnam visa requirements page for a quick country view.
Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. US citizens are not on the ordinary-passport exemption list, so a visitor needs a visa. There are two routes: the e-visa through evisa.gov.vn, valid up to 90 days, or an application at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C. by mail or in person.
The Embassy page says US citizens can be granted multiple-entry visas of up to one year at the Embassy, within what the Vietnamese authority approved. It lists 5 working days at the Embassy without an approval letter and 3 business days with one. Check the Embassy site for current fees and rules before you apply.
Do you need an onward or return ticket?
The portal pages list no flight ticket among the e-visa uploads. But airlines can ask for proof of onward travel before they let you board a flight to Vietnam, and the border officer's decision at arrival is final. So the portal doesn't require one, yet your airline might.
If you hold a one-way ticket, a land exit via Cambodia or Laos, or an open-jaw route, expect questions.
For the difference between a verifiable reservation and a dummy ticket, see flight reservation for visa, or the Vietnam page. A reservation is only proof of an itinerary. It is not a visa and is not accepted by every airline or authority. If your airline or checklist asks for proof of onward travel, a verifiable flight reservation can serve as temporary proof of your itinerary, but follow the airline's exact instructions.
Need a verifiable flight reservation for your visa?
Get a genuine flight reservation with booking details that can be checked while the reservation is active. Check the destination checklist before submitting it.
Is the pre-arrival form mandatory, and what about connectivity?
According to the e-visa portal, the Immigration Department "highly recommends" completing the pre-arrival form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn before entering Vietnam, to save time at immigration. The portal text does not describe it as mandatory, so follow the latest portal notice.
The form is an official government page and says that submitting early helps reduce waiting time. Phones need data for ride apps and maps on landing, so compare eSIM options before you fly.
Pre-departure checklist
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list and the portal, you need the right route, a passport valid for at least 6 months, and dates inside your visa window. Use this checklist before you fly, and keep your registration code with your printed e-visa.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with blank pages.
- The correct route: exempt, e-visa, or approval letter.
- A printed e-visa and the registration code saved.
- First night's address declared in the form. See hotel reservation for visa if you need to show planned accommodation.
- Dates that fit inside the validity window; you cannot enter before or after it.
- Proof of onward travel if your airline asks for it.
Keeping applications, itineraries and documents in one place saves time when you travel to more than one country. Use the checklist in visa document checklist for the full list. If you handle several visas a year, GetDocuTrip Pro can keep your trip documents organized in one dashboard.
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FAQ
Is the Vietnam e-visa the same as visa on arrival?
No. The e-visa is applied for online before you travel and carries a US$25 or US$50 fee. Visa at the border gate is available only in the cases set out in the Immigration Law and normally needs a sponsor in Vietnam to request approval first. For most tourists, the e-visa is the simpler route.
How much is the Vietnam e-visa?
US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entries, valid up to 90 days, per the official portal. The fee is paid on the government gateway and is not refunded if the visa is not granted. Always check the amount on evisa.gov.vn before you pay.
Can Indian citizens get the Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. The Vietnamese Embassy in India states e-visas are issued to citizens of all countries and territories. Indian ordinary passports are not on the exemption list, so a visa is required. The Embassy cannot approve or check e-visas; those requests go to the Immigration Department.
Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, US citizens need a visa for tourism. They can apply for the e-visa at evisa.gov.vn, valid up to 90 days, or apply at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C. by mail or in person. Check the Embassy site for current fees and rules.
Which website is the real Vietnam e-visa site?
evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn are the two official addresses named by Vietnam's Immigration Department. Other sites are not the government system and may charge extra fees. Check the address and the US$25 or US$50 fee before you pay.
Does Vietnam require proof of return or onward travel?
It is not listed among the e-visa portal's upload requirements. Airlines and border officers can still ask, and the officer's decision at arrival is final. Check with your airline before you fly, especially with a one-way ticket or a land exit.
Disclaimer
Final decisions on entry belong to Vietnam's Immigration Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese embassy, and your airline. GetDocuTrip is not a government agency, does not issue visas, and cannot guarantee that any visa or document will be approved or accepted.
Sources
- Vietnam National Electronic Visa system (Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security): https://evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners
- E-visa FAQs: https://evisa.gov.vn/faq
- E-visa instruction page: https://evisa.gov.vn/instruction
- Vietnam Immigration Department portal: https://immigration.gov.vn
- Pre-arrival information form: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
- Viet Nam's visa exemption list (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.09 edition as published by hef.gov.vn): https://hef.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1.-Vietnams-visa-exemption-list.pdf
- Government Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, 8 August 2025: https://image3.luatvietnam.vn/uploaded/vietlawfile/2025/8/229_nq_cp_incom_140825170336.pdf
- Visa issuance at Viet Nam's international border gates (Government news portal): https://en.baochinhphu.vn/visa-application-at-viet-nams-international-border-gates-111250328095613552.htm
- Embassy of Viet Nam in India, e-visa FAQ: https://vietnamembassydelhi.in/e-visa-application/
- Embassy of Viet Nam in the United States, visa application process: https://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visa-application-process
Last verified: November 2026
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Meet the Author
Mentari Rahman
Founder & Travel Visa Expert
A tech leader who has traveled to 38 countries across 4 continents, Mentari has spent over 8 years working in the tech industry. She worked as an SEO Outreach Specialist at Canva and spent 7 years as Country Manager at Financer before founding GetDocuTrip.
