A two-year pilot program effective from February 1 allows visitors from 40 countries to apply and receive Vietnamese visas via the Internet.
Applications for Vietnam’s electronic visas (e-visas) can be submitted online via government domains https://www.immigration.gov.vn/ (English) or https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ (Vietnamese), according to a recent government decree regarding the program.
Applications are to be processed by the immigration authority within three working days, after which time approved applicants can access and print their e-visa using an ID provided by the website during the submission process
Under the new process, visa fee payments will be made by bank transfer to guarantee transparency and convenience for tourists, as well as minimizing intermediate costs.
No letter of guarantee or invitation is required for online visa application, and e-visas will have the validity period of 30 days.
E-visas can also be applied for by underwriting organizations and agencies on behalf of the visa holder, according to the decree.
Visitors from the following 40 countries can apply for Vietnam’s e-visas during the course of the pilot program: Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Ireland, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brunei, South Korea, Germany, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Timor Leste, the United States, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Japan, Panama, Peru, Finland, France, the Philippines, Romania, Spain, Sweden, China (not applicable for Chinese e-passport holders), Uruguay, Venezuela, Norway, and Slovakia.
E-visas will be accepted at most international airports in Vietnam, including the major hubs of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho City, and Phu Quoc Island.
With the employment of the program, Vietnam’s immigration authority can directly issue visas to visitors from foreign countries without a representative office in that country, making it easier and cheaper for tourists to visit Vietnam.
