Vietnam Visa for American Citizens

Yes, US citizens need a valid visa to travel to the Republic of Vietnam. They can easily apply for an e-visa online, which is available for short-term tourism or business visits.

To be eligible for a Vietnam visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

• 1

  You should be living outside Vietnam;

• 2

  You must have a US passport valid for at least 6 months;

• 3

  You shouldn’t be on the list of people temporarily banned from entering Vietnam, as outlined in Article 21 of the “Law on Foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam.” [For example, this includes foreigners banned due to forging documents to gain entry, serious mental or infectious diseases, or national security or social reasons.]

When applying for a Vietnam visa from the US, you only need to submit:

• 1

  Passport: A scanned copy of your passport, valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Vietnam. Ensure that your passport also has at least one blank page. 

• 2

  Photograph: A recent passport-size coloured photograph meeting the visa requirements. 

Here is how you can apply for a Vietnam visa from the US:

Step 1: Create an account on the government or an authorised visa service’s website. 

Step 2: Login and start entering your requested personal and travel details.

Step 3: Upload digital copies of your passport and photo.

Step 4: Review and pay the Vietnam visa fee as directed.

Step 5: Once approved, receive your Vietnam e-visa via mail. 

You can easily track the status of your Vietnam visa application using the Atlys Vietnam visa status checker tool.

Delays in receiving your visa can occur due to various reasons, such as high application volumes or technical issues. If you have not received your Vietnam e-visa within the expected processing time, you have two options:

• 1

  Check your email’s spam or junk folder. 

• 2

  Contact the e-visa support team via the application platform for assistance if it's not there. 

Tip: Always apply for your e-visa well in advance to account for any potential delays and avoid last-minute travel disruptions.

Once your visa application is approved, you will receive the Vietnam e-visa via mail. 

It is an electronic PDF document linked to your passport number and includes your personal information, passport number, visa type, duration of stay, and validity period. 

Here is a sample of the Vietnam e-visa:

Yes, you will need to print out your e-visa before travelling to Vietnam. You will need to present a physical copy when you land at the airport.

No, providing a surname is mandatory when applying for a Vietnam e-visa on the official e-visa website. If you do not have a surname, you will need to apply directly at the Vietnam Embassy in the US.

Yes, you can apply for e-visas for your family or group members in a single application session on Atlys. This will allow you to manage all applications simultaneously. 

However, you will need to provide each member’s details, including passport information and photographs.

No, you cannot edit or correct your application once it has been submitted. If you notice any errors after submission, you will need to fill out a fresh application. 

Note: In such a case, the fee for the initial application will also be non-refundable. Therefore, you must take the time to fill out the application form and double-check all entries before submission to avoid additional delays and expenses.

Here are a few points you can keep in mind to increase your chances of getting a Vietnam visa from the US: 

• 1

  Error-free application: Complete the visa application form accurately and completely. When applying, make sure to have your passport by your side to cross-check and fill in the details, as submitting false information leads to visa rejection. 

• 2

  Valid passport: Ensure your US passport is valid for at least six months and has sufficient blank pages. If not, renew your passport before applying. 

• 3

  Recent photographs: It is important to submit a fresh, recent passport-sized photograph that meets the specific requirements of the Vietnamese immigration authorities. Avoid head covers if not worn for religious purposes. 

• 4

  Applying without a surname: Please note that you cannot apply for a Vietnam e-visa using the government website if you do not have a surname. Applying without a surname will only lead to a visa rejection. In such a case, you can apply directly at the embassy or consulate.

Yes, if your Vietnam visa application is rejected, you can reapply. However, make sure to reapply only after addressing the reasons for the previous rejection. 

Alternatively, you may seek assistance from an authorised visa expert to increase your chances of approval on the second attempt. 

If your travel dates to Vietnam have been postponed, you may still use the same e-visa as long as it is valid during your new travel dates. If your new travel dates fall within the visa’s validity period, you're good to go.

However, if your visa's validity period does not cover your new travel dates, you will need to apply for a new e-visa.

No, e-visa holders can enter Vietnam only through 33 designated ports (land/sea/air). 

Some of the major international e-visa entry ports are Tan Son Nhat Int. Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Noi Bai Int. Airport (Ha Noi), Cat Bi Int Airport (Hai Phong), Da Nang International Airport, and Cam Ranh Int Airport (Khanh Hoa). 

No, the Vietnam e-visa only allows you to enter through the port chosen in the visa application form. If there is any change in your port of entry, you must confirm with the Vietnam immigration office before travelling to ensure that you are not refused entry upon reaching.

No, the Vietnam e-visa is generally not rejected at the immigration checkpoint. 

However, you might be refused entry in cases where:

• 1

  The airport where you have arrived is different from the entry point you provided in the visa application. 

• 2

  The validity of your Vietnam visa has expired. 

• 3

  A change in your situation goes against the eligibility criteria for issuing a Vietnam visa. For example, your US passport is no longer valid for 6 months.

Yes, you can apply for a Vietnam visa at the embassy. However, applying for a Vietnam visa is a bit complicated and extra work, as:

• 1

  You can only apply through a sponsor or authorised visa company;

• 2

  You will need to visit the embassy to submit documents; hence, the processing time will be longer. 

• 3

  Upon reaching the visa-on-arrival queue, you will need to wait for the visa stamp. 

It is, thus, best to apply for a Vietnam e-visa, which is a faster and simpler process, and ensures smooth entry at the airport.

Yes, US citizens can get a Vietnam visa on arrival, provided they have been issued a pre-approval letter by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Thus, it is highly recommended that you apply for your Vietnam visa online beforehand.

Yes, US Green Card holders (except those from visa-exempt nationalities) must have a Vietnam visa before entering the country. They can easily apply for an e-visa online through an authorised visa service.

No, a Vietnam visa is non-extendable. 

If you need to extend your stay for an unavoidable reason, contact the immigration departments in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before your visa expires. 

Note: Overstaying on a visa is highly discouraged. The Government of Vietnam has recently increased the penalties for visa overstays, and fines can be substantial. Moreover,  processing exit visas for overstays can take one to two weeks. Therefore, you must either apply for a visa extension or exit the country before your current visa expires.

No, the purpose of your visit, as stated in your e-visa application, cannot be changed after the visa is issued. If your travel purpose changes, you will need to apply for a new visa that reflects the correct purpose. 

Recommendation: Ensure that you select the correct purpose of visit when applying for your e-visa to avoid the need for reapplication.

Here's a quick overview of how to apply for a Vietnam tourist visa from the US through Atlys:

• 1

  Visit Atlys: Start your Vietnam visa application on Atlys. 

• 2

  Upload documents: Take a selfie for the photo or upload the photograph and passport copy. 

• 3

  Provide details: Enter the requested personal and passport details. You will also need to provide the point of entry. 

• 4

  Review and pay: Review your visa application, check out, and pay the applicable Vietnam visa fees. 

• 5

  Get your visa: While you await your visa approval, you can actively track its status on the Atlys app. Upon approval, Atlys will notify you via e-mail with your Vietnam visa attached. Remember to print the e-visa to carry while entering the country.

Here are the reasons to choose Atlys: 

• 1

  Easy visa applications: Our platform is user-friendly, making it accessible even for first-time users. With just a few clicks, you can get the visa from the comfort of your home in the US. 

• 2

  Secure: Your personal information is kept safe and encrypted. We do not sell your data to third parties. 

• 3

  Great support: We understand the uncertainty and anxiousness that follows after submitting a visa application. Hence, we offer real-time updates on your visa status and expert help if you have any questions. 

• 4

  Saves time and money: We provide a one-stop source for all your visa-related queries. This eliminates your need to refer to multiple sources. Additionally, we are a cost-effective alternative to using traditional visa agents, which can be expensive. 

• 5

  Wide coverage: Apart from Vietnam, we also serve visas to numerous countries for Americans. Such wide coverage allows you to apply for multiple country visas at the same time.

US citizens can apply for the following types of Vietnam visas:

• 1

  Tourist visa (DL): This visa is issued to foreigners visiting Vietnam for tourism purposes for generally up to 90 days. 

• 2

  Business visa (DN): This visa is designed for those entering Vietnam for business purposes, including meetings, contracts, and partnerships.

• 3

  Student or internship visa (DH): For individuals planning to study or participate in internship programs in Vietnam.

• 4

  Investor visa (DT): Aimed at foreign investors and lawyers investing in Vietnam.

• 5

  Press visa (PV): It is issued to resident foreign correspondents and reporters in Vietnam.

Note: Depending on the type of visa, specific documents will be required. For long-term visas, you will generally need to apply at the Vietnamese Embassy in the US.