Vietnam visa requirements for US citizens
Latest update: Now US citizens can apply Vietnam visa through the Embassy, Visa on Arrival and E-visa. A step-by-step guide with complete list of Vietnam visa requirements for US citizens and other tips of getting easily Vietnam visa.
Is US citizen required to get Vietnam visa?
Yes, US passport holders are required to hold a valid visa for entering into Vietnam as it is a mandatory requirement. There are more than one way of obtaining a visa for Vietnam so do not get confused as all of them are valid. You just need to decide on which one suits your purpose and duration of visit.
Process of getting Vietnam visa for US citizens
Tourist visa
Get Vietnam visa on arrival
Being a US passport holder, you are eligible for obtaining a “Visa on Arrival” for single/Multiple entry for 30 or 90 days. By applying Visa on Arrival, you complete most of the procedure before you land in Vietnam. Here is how you can obtain Visa on Arrival.
Select a government authorized agency.
Provide your details as required.
Pay the agency fees (This fees depends on type of entry, duration of stay and service time taken by the agency)
Get your pre-approval letter via mail; take print out of the letter.
Download and fill entry entry/exit form.
Submit pre-approval letter, entry/exit form along with photographs to immigration officer at arrival airport.
Pay stamping fees and get your visa stamped on your passport.
Choose your agency wisely, as you may get a lot of alternatives. A popular choice by tourists is Vietnamvisavoa.com who provides professional and extended support throughout the process.
NOTE: Visa on arrival is only applicable when you arrive in Vietnam by air.
Vietnam visa at the Embassy
If you wish to obtain a sticker or leaf visa in traditional way, this option is for you. In this case you need to visit or make arrangement for providing required documents to the nearest Vietnamese consulate or Embassy.
After submission of documents, it takes 3- 5 working days for processing of visa. It is always recommended to get contact the embassy and confirm on requirements and check for business hours before arranging a submission. Note that embassy reserves the right to request further information and documents apart from suggested ones.
Vietnam E-visa
The e-Visa is an electronic 30 day single entry travel authorization with from the Vietnamese authorities for touristic purpose. It is issued as a document rather than a stamp on your passport.
US passport holder are eligible for applying for E-Visa. To get e-visa go to go to https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt and follow the relevant steps. Getting an e- visa will cost you 25$ and 3 days of time, so plan accordingly.
You must take a safe note (may be screenshot) of a verification code, which you receive after verifying your details. Once the process is complete, keep your registration code safe as it will required for getting your visa from the same portal where you applied it. There is no update via e-mail so be proactive in checking the portal to get your e-visa.
TIP: there are a couples of websites out there that look similar to the official Vietnamese government site. Be careful, always check for “gov.vn” in URL.
Business visa
Get Vietnam visa on arrival
US passport holders are eligible for obtaining a business visa on arrival. A business visa allows its holder to enter and remain in Vietnam for the purposes of commercial activities with Vietnamese companies or other equivalent engagements.
Apart from 1 or 3 month option, you can get 6 or 12 month visa, if you are applying in this category. Note that you when you apply for Business visa on arrival you do not need any sponsorship letter. However, if you choose to apply the same via an embassy, you need a sponsorship letter as well. There is no option to get business visa via e-visa portal.
The process of getting visa on arrival for business and touristic purpose is same. Just make sure that you are choosing an agency authorized to provide you a business visa on arrival.
Detailed requirement for Vietnam visa on arrival for US citizen
1. Passport copy: Passport should hold 2 blank pages and must be valid for 6 months on starting day of travel and should stand valid till 30 days after your date of exit from Vietnam.
2. Photograph: Two passport size (4x6 cm) photographs (no glass wear and should hold light background)
3. Visa pre-approval letter: A print out of “letter” provided by an authorized agency once you provide your details and pay the agency fee.
4. Vietnamese visa application form: or entry/exit form, downloaded online and properly filled it out
5. Cash to pay for stamping fee:
25$ for 1 month single/multiple entry
50$ for 3 month single/multiple entry.
95$ for 6 month multiple entry.
135$ for 12 month multiple entry.
Detailed requirements for visa through Vietnam Embassy in the United States
1. Passport: Passport should hold 2 blank pages and must be valid for 6 months on starting day of travel
2. Vietnamese visa application form: Application form downloaded online and properly filled. Application forms are also available at embassy.
3. Photograph: Two passport size (4x6 cm) photographs (no glass wear and should hold light background)
4. Visa fee: (In cash is you are applying in person. Else it must be money order or cashier’s check). The amount of fees depends on number of days and type of visa entry.
5. A sponsoring letter: if you apply for business visa at the Embassy
List of Vietnam Embassy and Consulate in United States
Vietnam Embassy in Washington D.C (No. 1233, 20th Street Northwest, Washington, DC)
Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco (No. 1700 California Street, San Francisco, California)
Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston (No. 5251 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas)
Consulate General of Vietnam in New York (866 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York)
Detailed requirements for Vietnam E-visa
1. Scanned passport copy: valid for 6 months on starting day of travel and should stand valid till 30 days after your date of exit from Vietnam.
2. Scanned photo: Recent passport size photograph with light background.
3. A print out of E-visa confirmation: Pdf downloaded and printed from E-visa portal with help of registration code.
Vietnam business visa on arrival requirements for UScitizens (applied for those having sponsoring company in Vietnam before your trip)
If you have a company to sponsor you for business, here are the list of documents required:
Business license: Notarized Business Registration of the sponsor company in Vietnam
Introduction letter: A document written and signed from employer or sponsor, introducing the applicant and requesting a visa for the purpose of business
NA2: This is formal letter of Invitation, which is approved by Vietnamese immigration. This is arranged by the sponsor.
NA16: Letter of introduction of the seal, signature of the authorized person at sponsor end.
A copy of Ppassport: valid for 6 months on starting day of travel.
If you are not able to find a sponsor at the time of applying business visa, you can contact Vietnamvisavoa for providing a sponsorship.
Requirements for US citizens to apply for 5 year visa exemption
According to Government Decision, US citizens who are spouses or children of Vietnamese people (living in Vietnam or residing abroad)are eligible to apply 5 year visa-free certificate. Here is a list of required documents you need to prepare:
1. US passport or equivalent travel document with at least 12 months validity
2. 01 application form: fill out the
online form and then download and print it out
3. 02 recent color photos: 4x6cm or 2x2 inches (white background, straight head, neutral face, without glassed or hat)
4. 01 copy of at least one of these below documents (as a proof of relationship between you and your Vietnamese spouses or parents):
- Marriage Registration
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Certificate
- A Certificate of relationship with father, mother, children
- Other valid documents as regulated by the Vietnamese Law
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long is the processing of a Vietnamese visa?
Actually the processing of Vietnam visa is different from the way you get it through and other elements such as visa type; your nationality or how urgently you need a visa to Vietnam. You can take a look at the processing time in general as bellows:
Vietnam Embassies: 5-7 business days
Vietnam visa on arrival: 2-3 business day
Vietnam E-visa: 3 business days
Express or rush service is availed to Vietnam visa on arrival and through the Embassies.
How long is the validity of a Vietnamese tourist visa for US citizens?
1 year is the longest duration granted to US citizens. However, they are permitted to stay 90 days per each visit. The Vietnam visa is valid since the date issued in the visa stamp or visa approval letter (Visa on arrival)
For example: if you are granted with 1 year multiple tourist visa that is valid from May 30 to June 30, 2020. It means that you are allowed to enter Vietnam anytime on or after May 30 and need exit on or before June 30, 2020. But you only stay for 90 days.
NOTE:
This regulation is not applied for business visa, to see the difference 1 year tourist visa and business visa for US citizen, you check further in this link
How early can I apply for a Vietnam visa?
It literally depends on which visa method you are going to choose. If you want to apply Vietnam visa through the Embassies, it should be submitted 1 month earlier because this traditional process is quite time consuming with many steps.
If you opt for Vietnam visa on arrival or E-visa, you can should apply it in 2 week in advance; though you can get a
Vietnam emergency visa when applying through Vietnam visa on arrival.
Do I need flight tickets before applying?
No you don’t need a confirmed flight ticket that will help you from wasting money to buy ticket just in case your visa is rejected.
However, for citizens from
some restricted countries, a reservation flight (round trip) must be required to submit to prove that you will visit and return your place as scheduled.
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