Editorial · August 25, 2023
Vietnam E-Visa 90 Days: Who Can Apply and How
Vietnam e-visa 90 days is now the rule for visitors. From August 15, 2023, the electronic visa is open to citizens of all countries and territories. It can be used for more than one entry and lets you stay up to three months.
This note explains what changed, who can use the e-visa, how to apply safely and what it does not cover. It is a plain guide, and no substitute for an immigration lawyer. Entry rules shift, so confirm details on the official e-visa portal before booking.
What changed on August 15, 2023
On August 14, 2023, the government issued Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP, and the change started the next day, August 15. Under it, an e-visa can be issued to citizens of every country and territory.
The e-visa also became longer. It now allows a stay of up to 90 days, which is about three months. The National Assembly also approved multiple-entry visas. That means a traveler can leave and come back during the visa period without applying again.
A lawmaker who chairs the National Assembly Committee for Defense and Security, Le Tan Toi, said a three-month e-visa will meet the needs of foreign visitors. For many travelers, that is the main point. One visa can now cover a long trip, or a trip with side visits to nearby countries.
Who can apply
Any foreign citizen can apply for the e-visa, whatever their passport. You do not need to be on a special list of countries. If you hold a passport from any country or territory, you may use the online system.
A short trip may need no visa whatsoever. Citizens of 13 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, can stay up to 45 days without a visa, up from 15 days. Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP, also issued on August 14, 2023, set this and it took effect on August 15. If your trip is short and your country is on that list, you may not need an e-visa. Check your own passport rules before you pay for anything.
Your passport must be valid when you travel. Check the expiry date and the blank pages before you apply, because a problem here can stop your entry at the border.
How to apply on the official portal
The official government e-visa site is the Vietnam Immigration Department national portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Type the address into your browser yourself. Do not follow an advertisement or a message that sends you to a similar name.
Expect the portal to ask for details from your passport, a recent photo of your face and the dates and place of your planned entry. It will also ask you to pay a visa fee online. The fee is set by the Vietnamese government and is shown on the portal, so read the amount there before you pay. Keep the application code you receive. You will need it to check your result.
When the visa is approved, print it. Bring the printed copy with you and keep a digital copy on your phone. Check that your name, passport number and dates match your passport exactly.
Where you can enter and what the e-visa does not cover
E-visa holders can enter through 13 airports, 16 land border gates and 13 sea ports. Choose your entry point when you apply and make sure it is on the allowed list. If you plan to cross by land, check that your chosen gate is one of them.
The e-visa is a tourist and visitor document. It does not replace a business visa. If you plan to do business work or take regular employment in Vietnam, you still need a business visa and a work permit. Do not use the e-visa for work, even if the trip is short.
A visa also does not guarantee entry. Border officers still check your passport and papers when you arrive. Carry proof of your onward or return travel and your hotel booking, so you can answer questions fast.
How to avoid fake visa sites
A new rule brings a rush of searches, and that draws copycat websites. Some charge extra fees for a form you can fill in yourself. Some may collect your passport scans and photo without giving you a real visa.
These steps lower your risk. First, start from the official address, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, and not from a search advertisement. Second, compare the fee on any other site with the fee on the official portal. A much higher price is a warning sign. Third, never send your passport scan by chat or email to a stranger who promises faster approval. Fourth, keep your application code and your payment receipt. Fifth, if a site promises a visa with no checks at all, leave it.
If you use a travel agent, ask for the agent's company name and address first. Ask what the fee covers. An honest agent can explain each line of the bill.
Last, plan ahead. Apply well before your flight, so you have time to fix a typo or a rejected photo. A calm, early application costs less than a rushed one.
Sources
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