How To Get A Vietnam Visa For US Citizens With Requirements And Application Process

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? Well, then, you're reading the right blog post.

I'll discuss everything about the travel visa requirements, how to get a Vietnam Embassy visa, the required documents, how long the visa application takes, and the types of visas for Vietnam.

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Some people from certain countries can travel to Vietnam without a visa which I'll list later in this post. However, if you're not from one of the visa-exempt countries, you need to apply for a Vietnam visa.

Do US Citizens Need A Visa For Vietnam?

Yes, you do. Unfortunately, US citizens can't travel to Vietnam without a visa. This means that you need to apply for a visa before you travel to Vietnam, or you can apply for a Vietnam Visa On Arrival.

Do US Green Card Holders Need A Visa?

Yes, you do. If you're a US green card holder, you must apply for a Vietnam visa before traveling. Luckily, you can use your green card to apply for a visa. The number on the card can play the role of a valid passport number.

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We know that getting a visa for Vietnam can be tricky, but Atlys makes this so much easier for you to gather your documents. The app also helps with the entire visa application process.

All you need is to download the Atlys app and type in your details.

It's that simple!

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Before we jump into getting a Vietnam visa for US citizens, there are a few things you need to know about. This includes:

• What Is A Vietnam Tourist Visa?
• Can You Travel To Vietnam Without A Visa?
• What Visas Are US Citizens Eligible For?
• How Much Does A Visa Cost For Vietnam?
• How Long Does It Take To Process A Vietnam Tourist Visa?
• What Is The Validity Of A Vietnam Tourist Visa?

What Is A Vietnam Tourist Visa?

A Vietnam Tourist visa is the most popular type of travel visa, and it's typically valid for 15-30 days. The Tourist Visa allows foreign passport holders to enter Vietnam for tourism purposes. However, you cannot work in Vietnam with a tourist visa.

Can You Travel To Vietnam Without A Visa?

Citizens of the below-mentioned countries can enter Vietnam without a visa and must wait at least 30 days between visits if they want to re-enter Vietnam.

Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom.

What Visas Are US Citizens Eligible For?

US citizens are eligible to get a Vietnam Tourist or business visa. Currently, US passport holders can get a 30 days single entry tourist visa.

How Much Does A Visa Cost For Vietnam?

Again, if you apply for a Vietnam Embassy Visa, it depends on the Embassy. However, a Vietnam visa for US citizens usually costs around USD 25.

You can get these visas through Atlys directly on your phone for a small additional service cost of USD 6.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Vietnam Tourist Visa?

The visa processing time for the Vietnam Tourist Visa depends on the Embassy you applied to. However, you can expect to wait anywhere between 5-12 business days.

This does not include weekends or public holidays.

You should know that other things can extend the visa processing time. For example, you might wait longer for your visa if:

• You applied during peak season (when people travel the most).
• The Embassy has a high volume of visas to process.
• You forgot to attach a document.
• You have a mistake on your application.

What Is The Validity Of A Vietnam Tourist Visa?

If you want to apply for the Vietnam Tourist Visa, you need to make sure that your purpose of travel is tourism. This means that you're not in Vietnam to conduct any business or work.

Depending on validity and number of entries, a Vietnam tourist visa can be divided into:

• 1-month single entry visa; allows you to enter the country once and stay for a maximum of 30 days.
• 1-month multiple entry visa; allows you to enter the country multiple times and stay for a maximum of 30 days.
• 3 months single entry visa; allows you to enter the country once and stay for a maximum of 90 days.
• 3 months multiple entry visa; allows you to enter the country multiple times and stay for a maximum of 90 days.

You can apply for this visa at a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate or online through Atlys.

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There are certain eligibility criteria and requirements you must meet before getting a Visa for Vietnam. I'll take you through everything you need to know.

• What Documents Are Required For A Vietnam Tourist Visa?
• Passport Photo Requirements For A Vietnam Tourist Visa
• Passport Requirements For A Vietnam Tourist Visa

What Documents Are Required For A Vietnam Tourist Visa?

I recommend gathering all the documents you need before getting a Vietnam Visa. You will need these documents for your application. Forgetting to add a document will extend the processing time or, in extreme cases, cause them to deny your application.

Vietnam entry requirements are as follows:

• Your current passport
• Passport-size pictures
• The Vietnam visa application form completed and signed. If you apply for a Vietnam Embassy Visa, you can find the application form at their offices or website.
• Proof that you paid your Vietnam Visa application fee (payslip).

Although it's not required to have travel insurance, it's always recommended to travel with appropriate insurance.

Passport Photo Requirements For A Vietnam Tourist Visa

If your picture does not meet the requirements, there is a possibility that they won't process or grant your Vietnamese Tourist Visa. I always say, "rather be safe than sorry."

The requirements for your passport-size picture are as follows:

• The picture must be 4 cm x 6 cm.
• Taken recently, no older than 6 months.
• White background, without any patterns.
• Stare straight ahead without a facial expression.

You can now use Atlys' free passport photo tool to get yours. It's as easy as taking/uploading a photo, and the tool crops and resizes everything for you.

Passport Requirements For A Vietnam Tourist Visa

The passport requirements are important. If your passport doesn't meet the requirements, it is possible that officials will deny your visa.

The requirements state that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned stay, and must have two blank pages.

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The Vietnamese Government has made it easy for a tourist to apply for visas for Vietnam. Even though you can apply for your Vietnam Tourist Visa in different ways, this post focuses more on a Vietnam Embassy Visa.

How Can I Apply For My Vietnam Tourist Visa In Person?

If you are not eligible to apply for a Vietnam eVisa, you can apply for a Vietnam Tourist visa at a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate. In this case, you have to find your nearest Vietnam Embassy and then apply in person.

Step 1: Application Form

The first step is to get your application form. You can find your application form at the office of the Embassy you're applying at or on their official website. You can also complete the application form online.

Once you access the website, you'll see that you can't understand where to go because the website is in another language. However, I'll take you through it.

On the homepage, you'll see something like this:

Click on the first picture. This will take you to the visa application form. A notification will pop up that looks like this:

Click "okay." This will translate the application form into English. Then, all you need to do is complete the application form and steps. The application form looks like this:

Then, contact the Vietnamese Embassy to schedule an appointment.

Step 2: Required Documents

Fill out the application form (be sure the details are correct). Attach all the required travel documents (passport, passport photo, payslips) to your application form. Submit these documents to the Vietnamese Consulate.

Step 3: Pay The Vietnam Visa Fee

After you submit your application, you must pay the Vietnam Visa application fee (pricing listed later in the post). Confirm with the Embassy if you have to pay the application fee in cash or with a card.

Step 4: Processing

After you pay the fee, your visa is ready to be processed. If they grant your visa, the Embassy will let you know via email or phone number. Next, collect your visa at the Embassy; they will affix the visa to your passport, which you can use to enter Vietnam.

Depending on what country you apply from, you may be allowed to submit documents via mail. However, depending on the purpose of your travel and the Embassy/Consulate, you may have to submit a Letter of Approval from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

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A loose-leaf visa is a travel visa issued on paper, not stamped directly inside your passport. You must carry the visa to show the border agent together with the passport when arriving in Vietnam.

You usually apply for a loos-leaf visa when you have no more blank pages in your passport.

How To Apply For A Vietnam Loose-Leaf Visa?

You apply for the loose-leaf visa the same way you would apply for a visa (at the Embassy). However, the visa application form you fill out might be different. You can complete the application form online.

A loose-leaf visa looks something like this:

Your passport and then the separate paper (your visa).

As I've mentioned, this post focuses more on Vietnam Embassy Visas. However, US citizens don't have to apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa at an Embassy or Consulate. So, let's take a look at the Vietnam eVisa and Visa On Arrival.

Can US Citizens Apply For A Vietnam eVisa?

Yes, you can. US citizens are eligible to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) for Vietnam. If you choose to apply for an eVisa, you'll need to provide the documents mentioned earlier in this post.

What Are The Vietnam eVisa Fees?

The fee for a Tourist Visa for Vietnam is usually USD 25. However, there could be a small service you need to pay along with the visa fee.

Can US Citizens Apply For A Vietnam Visa On Arrival?

Yes, you can.US citizens are eligible to apply for a Visa On Arrival for Vietnam. This means you don't have to apply for a visa before traveling to Vietnam.

What Are The Vietnam Visa On Arrival Fees?

If you apply for a Vietnam Visa On Arrival, the costs are:

• Single-entry visa (1 month): USD 25 stamping fee on arrival plus the letter of approval fee.
• Multiple-entry visa (1 month): USD 50 stamping fee on arrival plus the additional service fee for the Letter of Approval.
• Single-entry (3 months): USD 25 stamping fee on arrival, plus the additional service fee for the Letter of Approval.
• Multiple-entry (3 months): USD 50 stamping fee on arrival, plus the additional service fee for the Letter of Approval.
• Multiple-entry (6 months): USD 95 stamping fee on arrival, plus the additional service fee.
• Multiple-entry (12 months): USD 135 stamping fee on arrival, plus the additional service fee for the Letter of Approval.

You can get these visas through Atlys directly on your phone for a small additional service cost of USD 6.

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There are different types of Vietnam visas you can apply for apart from a tourist visa. However, you can only apply for the visa that suits your purpose of travel. Therefore, you need to make sure that you apply for the right visa. Otherwise, officials will deny your visa.

The different types of visas for Vietnam are:

• Business Visa
• Student Visa
• Working Visa
• Investor Visa

Business Visa

The Vietnam Business Visa is categorized into:

• DN1 visa – to be granted to foreigners who work with other businesses and organizations with legal status under the laws of Vietnam.
• DN2 visa – to be granted to foreigners who come to Vietnam to offer services, establish a commercial presence or perform other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

Similar to a tourist visa for Vietnam, the validity and number of entries of a Vietnam business visa are the same.

Student Visa

You can apply for Vietnam Student Visa if you're attending a university course in Vietnam. Normally this Vietnam visa type is arranged after arrival in Vietnam. You can enter Vietnam with a tourist visa and then apply for a change in visa status at the Immigration Office after enrolling in the course. The easiest way to get this visa for Vietnam is to have an agency do it for you.

Working Visa

A Vietnam Work visa is issued to foreigners who come to work in Vietnam, like teaching, etc. It is categorized into:

• LD1 – to be granted to foreigners who come to work in Vietnam with work permit exemption certificate, unless otherwise provided for in international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
• LD2 – to be granted to foreigners who must have a work permit in Vietnam to work. This type of visa for Vietnam is valid for 2 years at maximum. However, if you wish to stay in Vietnam for longer, you must apply for an LD temporary residence card valid for up to 2 years.

Investor Visa

An Investor visa for Vietnam is a visa granted to foreign investors in Vietnam. It is categorized as follows:

• DT1 – to be granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of at least VND100 billion or investing in the business fields and areas of investment incentives decided by the Vietnam Government. Valid for up to 5 years.
• DT2 – to be granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of VND50 – under VND100 billion, or investing in the business fields of investment encouragement decided by the Vietnam Government. Valid for up to 5 years.
• DT3 – to be granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of VND3 – under VND50 billion. Valid for up to 3 years.
• DT4 – to be granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of less than VND3 billion. Valid for up to 12 months.

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These tools were created by travelers for travelers to make traveling easier. Here's a list of Atlys' free tools that will make your next visa application a breeze:

• Passport photo checker
• Hotel itinerary
• Flight itinerary

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• Use Atlys
• Apply Early

Use Atlys

The first tip is to use Atlys. With Atlys, it's as easy as downloading the app, entering your travel and personal information, and paying the visa application fee.

Once you've completed the relevant information, Atlys will do the rest for you. No strings attached.

Apply Early

We see that travelers leave their visa applications till the last minute. So please ensure you apply at least 2 months before your planned trip.

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Get Ready To Travel!

Ready, set, apply! Now you know everything you need to know about getting a visa for Vietnam. Experience all the wonders of Vietnam. It's no mystery why they are some of the nicest and happiest people. I mean, who would be sad when living in a place like that?

Hopefully, this post answered all your questions about getting a Vietnam Visa. However, you can check out the FAQ section for more answers if it didn't.