Vietnam E-visa Fees 2026

To understanding the full picture of Vietnam e-visa fees matters because the total amount you pay can vary significantly depending on how you apply. Travelers who go directly through evisa.gov.vn pay only the government fee, while those using a visa agency also pay a service charge that ranges from USD 23 to USD 80 or more depending on processing speed.

Additionally, knowing how Vietnam's e-visa fees compare to alternatives such as Visa on Arrival or an embassy paper visa helps you choose the most cost-efficient entry method for your trip. For most tourists from the US, Canada, Australia, and beyond, the e-visa is the cheapest and most convenient option in 2026.

Moreover, recent policy updates have expanded the number of entry points accepting the Vietnam e-visa to 83 checkpoints as of December 2025, making it even more versatile for land, sea, and air arrivals. Below, this guide covers every Vietnam e-visa fee tier, agency pricing, payment methods, refund rules, and exemptions everything you need to budget accurately before your trip.

What Is the Official Vietnam E-Visa Cost in 2026?

The Vietnam e-visa cost is a fixed government fee of USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple entry), valid for up to 90 days, set by Vietnam's Ministry of Finance under Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC effective April 1, 2026. Specifically, this fee applies to all foreign nationals applying directly through the official portal at evisa.gov.vn, regardless of nationality.

The fee is paid online at the time of application and is non-refundable in almost all cases. Below is a clear breakdown of the official fee schedule by visa type.

E-Visa Type	Official Fee (USD)	VND Equivalent	Validity	Entries
Single-Entry	$25	~625,000 VND	Up to 90 days	1 entry
Multiple-Entry	$50	~1,250,000 VND	Up to 90 days	Unlimited entries
Children (under 14)	$25	~625,000 VND	Up to 90 days	Per application

Single-Entry E-Visa Fee ($25)

The single-entry Vietnam e-visa costs USD 25 and allows one entry into the country within the validity window of up to 90 days. This is the right choice for travelers making a straightforward trip to Vietnam without crossing into neighboring countries like Cambodia or Laos and returning.

To illustrate: if you fly into Hanoi, travel south through Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, then fly home all within a single stay the $25 single-entry visa is all you need. The visa's start date and end date are stated clearly on the approval document, and you can enter Vietnam anytime between those dates, not necessarily on the exact arrival date listed during application.

Multiple-Entry E-Visa Fee ($50)

The multiple-entry Vietnam e-visa costs USD 50 and allows an unlimited number of entries and exits within the 90-day validity period. Specifically, this option is ideal for travelers who plan to exit Vietnam midway for example, visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Luang Prabang in Laos and then return to Vietnam.

For a family of three adults, the cost comparison is significant: a single-entry visa totals $75, while a multiple-entry visa totals $150. The decision comes down to whether you plan to leave and re-enter. If there's any chance of crossing a border, upgrading to the $50 multiple-entry option is the safer and more cost-effective long-term choice.

Children's E-Visa Fee

Children under the age of 14 are subject to a uniform fee of USD 25 when applying for a Vietnam e-visa, regardless of the duration or number of entries requested. This rule is established under Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC and applies to all child applicants, including infants, who must have their own separate e-visa application and passport.

Parents should note that each child requires an individual application. There is no family visa option available through the Vietnam e-visa system, so a family of two adults and two children under 14 would pay a minimum of $25 + $25 + $25 + $25 = $100 total in government fees for single-entry visas.

How Does the Vietnam E-Visa Fee Compare to Visa on Arrival?

The Vietnam e-visa wins on total cost compared to Visa on Arrival (VOA), because the e-visa requires only one government payment ($25 or $50), while VOA requires two separate fees a service/approval letter fee paid online plus a stamping fee paid in cash at the airport upon arrival.

However, comparing the two options carefully reveals important differences in convenience, total price, and what happens if your plans change. The following breakdown makes the cost difference clear.

E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival Total Cost Breakdown

Cost Component	Vietnam E-Visa	Visa on Arrival
Government/Approval Fee	$25 (single) / $50 (multiple)	$20–$50+ (via agent, online)
Airport Stamping Fee	None	$25 (single) / $50 (multiple)
Minimum Total (Single Entry)	$25	~$45–$75+
Payment Method	Card online	Agent fee online + cash at airport
Processing Time	3–5 working days	1–3 working days (for approval letter)
Queue at Airport	None (dedicated e-visa lane)	Yes (VOA counter, can be lengthy)

Which Option Saves You More Money?

The e-visa saves more money for the vast majority of travelers: at $25 for a single-entry visit, it costs roughly half the total of a comparable Visa on Arrival, which combines an agent approval letter fee with a mandatory cash stamping fee at the airport. In contrast, e-visa holders walk straight to the immigration counter without paying anything extra on arrival.

The only scenario where VOA may make sense is for truly last-minute travelers who missed the e-visa's 3–5 working day processing window. Even then, most visa agencies now offer urgent e-visa processing in as little as 4 working hours, making VOA largely redundant for cost-conscious travelers in 2026.

How Much Does a Vietnam E-Visa Cost Through an Agency?

There are two tiers of Vietnam e-visa fees when applying through a visa agency: the fixed government fee ($25 or $50) plus a variable service fee charged by the agency for processing support, error-checking, and speed guarantees bringing the total to anywhere from $48 to $130+ depending on urgency.

Next, understanding what drives agency pricing helps you decide whether the extra cost is justified for your situation.

Standard Processing Agency Fees

For standard processing (3–5 working days), most agencies charge a service fee starting from approximately USD 23–30 on top of the government fee. That means a typical total for a single-entry e-visa through an agency runs around $48–$55, compared to just $25 through the official portal.

For multiple-entry visas at standard speed, total agency costs typically range from $73 to $80. The service fee covers form review, document verification, submission on your behalf, and status tracking reducing the risk of rejection due to application errors, which is the most common reason applicants lose their non-refundable government fee.

Express and Urgent Processing Tiers

Processing Speed	Turnaround Time	Agency Total (Single Entry)
Standard	3–5 working days	$48–$55
Express (Quick)	2 working days	$60–$80
Urgent	8 working hours	$80–$100
Super Urgent	4 working hours	$100–$120
Emergency	2 working hours	$120–$130+

Weekend, public holiday, and after-hours submissions may carry an additional surcharge. The 4-working-hour service is typically available in the afternoon shift on working days only, as Vietnam's Immigration Department does not process applications during the morning shift.

Is Using an Agency Worth the Extra Cost?

Yes, using an agency is worth the extra cost in three specific situations: when your departure is within 5 days, when you are applying for the first time and are uncertain about document requirements, or when the official government portal's payment system fails to accept your card a known issue reported by many international applicants.

For experienced travelers with more than a week before departure, applying directly through evisa.gov.vn for $25 or $50 is the smartest financial decision. The official portal is fully functional and processes applications in the same government queue regardless of where you submit. The only functional advantage an agency provides is speed, error-checking, and customer support not any privileged access to the immigration system.

What Are the Exact Steps to Pay the Vietnam E-Visa Fee?

Paying the Vietnam e-visa fee requires completing the online application at evisa.gov.vn, then selecting your visa type and entering payment details using a credit or debit card the system converts USD to Vietnamese Dong (VND) at the time of payment. The process involves 4 core steps and typically takes 15–20 minutes.

Payment Methods Accepted on evisa.gov.vn

The official Vietnam e-visa portal accepts Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards as the primary payment method. American Express is not accepted on the official portal. Payments are processed through a Vietnamese payment gateway (nganluong.vn) and converted from USD to VND at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of submission.

• Accepted: Visa, Mastercard (credit and debit)
• Not accepted: American Express, PayPal (on official portal)
• Note: Your bank may flag the transaction as international notify them before applying to avoid automatic declines
• VND display: The fee shows as approximately 625,000 VND ($25) or 1,250,000 VND ($50)

Common Payment Errors and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent payment issue on evisa.gov.vn is a card decline caused by international transaction blocks set by the applicant's home bank. A secondary issue is entering card details that don't match the billing address exactly as registered with the bank. Both problems are easily avoided by calling your bank before applying and confirming that international online transactions are enabled.

If the official portal repeatedly rejects your card, using a trusted visa agency is the most reliable workaround most agencies accept PayPal, additional card types, and bank transfers, then handle the government submission on your behalf. Always verify that any agency you use is reputable and transparent about its total fees before payment.

Is the Vietnam E-Visa Fee Refundable?

No, the Vietnam e-visa fee is non-refundable in almost all cases: if your application is rejected, if you cancel your trip, or if you made an error in the application form, the government fee of $25 or $50 will not be returned. This rule applies whether you applied through the official portal or via a visa agency.

Specifically, Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC (effective April 1, 2026) reinforces that fee-collecting organizations are not required to refund collected amounts if the applicant is ineligible or refuses to accept the application result.

When Refunds Are and Are Not Issued

Situation	Government Fee Refunded?	Agency Service Fee Refunded?
Application rejected	No	Varies by agency policy
Applicant cancels trip	No	No (usually)
Applicant found ineligible	No	Varies by agency policy
Paid but no passport/document issued	Yes (notified officially)	Yes
Agency misses guaranteed timeline	No	Often yes (good agencies)

What Happens If Your Application Is Rejected?

If your Vietnam e-visa application is rejected, the government fee is permanently forfeited and you must reapply paying the full $25 or $50 fee again. The most common reasons for rejection include mismatched passport information, a passport photo that doesn't meet the official standards (white background, no shadows, no glasses), or applying with a passport that has fewer than 6 months of validity remaining.

To minimize the risk of a costly rejection, double-check every field before submitting, ensure your passport photo meets the specifications, and confirm that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended exit date from Vietnam. Some agencies offer a free re-submission guarantee if rejection is caused by their own error, which adds value for first-time applicants.

Are There Any Vietnam E-Visa Fee Exemptions in 2026?

There are two categories of Vietnam e-visa fee exemptions in 2026: official government-granted waivers for specific humanitarian or diplomatic cases, and nationality-based exemptions that remove the need for an e-visa entirely for eligible passport holders.

Government-Granted Fee Waivers

Under Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC, Vietnam waives e-visa fees for the following categories of visitors: guests of the Party, State, Government, and National Assembly; foreigners entering Vietnam to provide relief or humanitarian assistance to Vietnamese organizations or individuals; and Vietnamese citizens residing abroad who must return to Vietnam under international repatriation treaties without a valid passport. Children under 14, while not exempt from fees, pay a reduced flat rate of $25 regardless of visa duration or entry type.

Nationalities Exempt from Needing an E-Visa Altogether

A growing list of nationalities do not need to pay any Vietnam e-visa fee at all because they qualify for visa-free entry. As of 2026, citizens of 13 countries enjoy 45-day visa-free stays, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Additionally, from August 15, 2025 through August 14, 2028, citizens of 12 more European nations including Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Switzerland benefit from 45-day visa-free entry.

For these nationalities, the total Vietnam visa cost is $0 no application, no fee, and no waiting. Citizens simply arrive with a passport valid for at least 6 months and proof of onward travel. All other nationalities, including US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, are eligible for the 90-day e-visa at the standard $25/$50 fee.

Source: Vietnam Immigration Department evisa.gov.vn

How Do Vietnam E-Visa Fees Fit Into Your Total Travel Budget?

The Vietnam e-visa cost represents one of the lowest visa entry fees in Southeast Asia, making it an attractive destination for budget travelers and long-stay tourists alike. At $25 for up to 90 days, the per-day visa cost works out to under $0.28 per day for a full three-month stay.

Understanding how the e-visa fee compares to embassy paper visa costs and how to avoid spending more than necessary helps you allocate your travel budget more effectively.

Vietnam E-Visa vs Embassy Visa Full Cost Comparison

Visa Method	Cost Range	Processing Time	Best For
E-Visa (official portal)	$25–$50	3–5 working days	Most tourists & business travelers
E-Visa (via agency)	$48–$130+	2 hours–5 days	Urgent or first-time applicants
Visa on Arrival	$45–$100+	1–3 days (letter) + airport queue	Last-minute flyers (limited use)
Embassy Paper Visa	$25–$155	5–10 working days	Long-term, work, or investment stays
Visa-Free Entry	$0	Immediate on arrival	Eligible nationalities (up to 45 days)

For context, neighboring countries charge considerably more: Thailand's tourist visa runs $40–$80, and Cambodia's e-visa costs $36. Vietnam's $25 e-visa for a 90-day stay is among the most generous value propositions in the region.

Tips to Minimize Your Vietnam Visa Costs in 2026

The most effective way to minimize Vietnam e-visa cost and fees in 2026 is to apply early through the official portal, check your visa-free eligibility before applying, and select the correct entry type from the start to avoid re-application fees.

• Apply at least 2 weeks early: This lets you use the cheapest standard processing option ($25/$50) without needing to pay agency expedite surcharges.
• Check visa-free eligibility first: If your passport qualifies for 45-day free entry, you pay nothing. Verify on the official Vietnam Immigration portal.
• Choose the right entry type: If there's any chance you'll cross into a neighboring country and return, pay the extra $25 for a multiple-entry visa now rather than reapplying later.
• Use a Visa/Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees: Some travel cards charge 1–3% on international transactions, which adds a small but avoidable cost to your payment.
• Skip agencies unless necessary: The official portal at evisa.gov.vn processes your application in the same government queue there is no processing advantage to using a third-party agent unless you need their error-checking or speed guarantee.
• Double-check all details before submitting: Because the government fee is non-refundable on rejection, a careful review of your name, passport number, travel dates, and photo can save you $25–$50 in avoidable re-application costs.

In summary, the Vietnam e-visa remains one of the best-value travel visas in Asia in 2026. Whether you pay $25 for a solo visit or $50 for the flexibility of multiple entries across 90 days, the government fee is transparent, fixed, and far cheaper than comparable alternatives. Planning ahead, applying directly, and verifying your eligibility are the three steps that guarantee you pay the minimum possible to enter one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding travel destinations.