How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa: 3 Options Compared
Most travellers only need the e-visa: you apply online, pay once and receive the approved e-visa by email. Visa on arrival and embassy visas still exist for specific cases. The table below compares all three so you can pick the right one before you start.
Which option fits you?
- You travel within the next 3 months and stay up to 90 days → apply for the e-visa online. Standard processing takes 5-7 working days; urgent options deliver in 2.5 working hours, same day or 1 working day.
- You already submitted an e-visa on the official website and need it sooner → expedite your pending e-visa.
- You need a visa type or length of stay the e-visa does not cover → apply at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country.
- Not sure whether you need a visa at all → check visa requirements by nationality.
E-visa vs visa on arrival vs embassy visa
| E-visa online | Visa on arrival | Embassy visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Online, from anywhere. Start the e-visa form. | Pre-approval letter online, then visa stamped at a Vietnamese international airport. | In person or by post at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. |
| Processing time | 5-7 working days standard; 2.5 working hours, same day or 1 working day with urgent processing. | Approval letter in advance, plus queueing at the airport on arrival. | Varies by embassy; check with the embassy before you travel. |
| Cost | From US$55 per person, government fee and our service fee included. See the full fee table. | Approval letter fee plus a stamping fee at the airport (US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry). | Set by each embassy; varies by country and visa type. |
| Validity and entries | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. | Short-stay visa stamped on arrival. | All visa types, including those not available as an e-visa. |
| Documents | Passport scan, passport photo, travel dates and port of entry. | Approval letter, passport, photos, entry form and cash for the stamping fee. | Passport, application form, photos and any documents the embassy requires. |
| Best for | Tourists and business visitors staying up to 90 days; anyone who wants the visa before flying. | Travellers who cannot use the e-visa and arrive by air. Not offered on this site at the moment. | Long stays, work or other visa types the e-visa does not cover. |
New e-visa application
Have not applied for your e-visa yet? Start here!
Get it as soon as 2.5 working hours (Mon-Fri)
Expedite a pending e-visa
Have you already applied for an e-visa on the official website? You can speed up your pending e-visa application here!
Get it as soon as 2.5 hours (Mon-Fri)
Visa on arrival
Emergency visa approval letter is issued for 30 days. The fee does not include 25 USD for stamping fee on arrival!
Frequently asked questions, answered
Do I need to pay anything else on arrival if I apply for an e-visa?
No, no other fees are required on arrival when you apply for an e-visa!
If I apply on weekend, when should I expect to receive the e-visa approval?
If you apply during the weekend, please find the information below for the expected delivery time:
- Weekend & Public Holidays: You will receive the letter by 18:30 PM on same day .
- 1 Working day: You will receive the letter by 18:30 PM on next Monday.
- 4-8 Working hours: You will receive the letter by 14:30 PM on next Monday.
Notes: Time is calculated based on Vietnam standard time GMT+7
How much is the stamping fee at Vietnam airport?
For e-visa, you do not need to pay anything else upon arrival!
It is 25 USD for the single entry and 50 USD for the multiple entry visa. The stamping fee is paid in cash either in VN Dongs or US dollars.
Notes: The stamping fee is for visa on arrival only.