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US citizens · e-Visa guide

Vietnam e-Visa: How to Apply from the US

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 31 Oct 2026

In brief

US citizens need an e-visa for Vietnam or a regular visa. Apply on evisa.gov.vn, the Immigration Department's official site. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and costs $25 or $50. Processing typically takes 3 working days after payment.

Checked 30 Oct 2026Source: Vietnam Immigration Department e-visa portalReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsQuick answer
  1. Quick answer
  2. Vietnam e-visa for US citizens
  3. Who needs a Vietnam visa
  4. Vietnam e-visa fees and validity
  5. E-visa Vietnam application
  6. Processing time, urgent and emergency e-visas
  7. Approved ports of entry
  8. Check your Vietnam e-visa status
  9. Before you fly
  10. Avoid unofficial Vietnam e-visa websites
  11. Official website
  12. Vietnam e-Visa fee history
  13. Warnings about other sites
  14. FAQ: Vietnam e-visa
  15. Sources
  16. About this page

Vietnam e-visa for US citizens: quick answer

  • Do US citizens need a visa? Yes. The United States is not on Vietnam's visa-exemption lists. The one exception is Phu Quoc island (see below).
  • Official websites: evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn. Both are run by Vietnam's Immigration Department.
  • Validity: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
  • Fee: $25 single entry, $50 multiple entry. The fee is not refunded, even if the e-visa is refused.
  • Processing: typically 3 working days after payment; 3 to 15 working days if extra checks are needed.
  • Where you apply from: outside Vietnam. You cannot apply while you are in the country.

Who needs a Vietnam visa

Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of every country and territory. Some nationalities do not need a visa at all:

  • 45-day visa exemption. Vietnam exempts citizens of a list of countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea, for stays of up to 45 days. The United States is not on this list, nor on Vietnam's list of bilateral exemptions.
  • Phu Quoc island. Any foreigner, including a US citizen, who flies directly to Phu Quoc, or transits airside at a Vietnamese international airport on the way, can stay on the island for up to 30 days without a visa. If you leave Phu Quoc for other parts of Vietnam, you need a visa or e-visa.
  • Vietnamese-Americans and family. People of Vietnamese origin, and spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese, can get a visa exemption certificate from the Embassy of Vietnam. It is valid for up to 5 years.

Vietnam e-visa fees and validity

Single entryMultiple entry
Official fee$25$50
Maximum validityUp to 90 daysUp to 90 days
Refund if refusedNoNo
  • You pay online through the Vietcombank payment gateway on the official portal.
  • If you submit and pay for the same application twice, the Immigration Department treats them as two separate applications. The first fee is not refunded.
  • Working in Vietnam needs a work permit. Your activities must match the purpose you declared on the application.

E-visa Vietnam application: step by step

  1. Open the official portal at evisa.gov.vn and choose the e-visa for foreigners.
  2. Upload your portrait photo and passport data page. The system reads the machine-readable lines of your passport and fills in part of the form.
  3. Complete the form in English, fully and truthfully. Enter your full name exactly as in the machine-readable lines of your passport, in capital letters. Dishonest answers lead to refusal.
  4. Choose single or multiple entry, your dates, your intended border gate of entry and your first address in Vietnam.
  5. Pay the fee online.
  6. Save your application number. You need it to check the status and download the e-visa.
  7. Download and print your e-visa when it is approved. The result is also sent by email.
  8. At the border, show the e-visa to the immigration officer and check the entry stamp in your passport before you leave the counter.

Passport validity. The Immigration Department's rule for e-visas is that the e-visa must end at least 30 days before your passport expires. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism advises 6 months of passport validity from arrival to avoid problems at boarding.

How early to apply. The official FAQ covers applications made up to one year before the planned entry. It gives no minimum lead time, so allow at least 3 working days, plus weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

Vietnamese visa photo requirements

  • Recent photo, 4 × 6 cm
  • JPG or JPEG, under 2 MB
  • Face looking straight at the camera
  • No hat and no glasses
  • Formal clothes, white background

The portal checks the photo automatically: face, pose, resolution and match with your passport photo. A photo taken from another document or screen can be rejected.

For the passport page, upload one clear image of the data page with all four corners visible. The machine-readable lines at the bottom must be readable.

Processing time, urgent and emergency e-visas

The Immigration Department says e-visas are typically processed within 3 working days after payment, if the information is complete and valid. If police checks are needed, processing takes 3 to 15 working days. Working days exclude weekends and public holidays, and deadlines run on Vietnam time (UTC+7). The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism gives 3 to 5 working days.

Expedite e-visa Vietnam: is there an urgent option?

The official portal lists two fees, $25 and $50, and says e-visas are typically processed within 3 working days. Private websites advertise an "urgent e-visa Vietnam" or "emergency Vietnam e-visa" service. They are intermediaries, not the government, and the Immigration Department warns that unofficial sites may charge unauthorised fees. If your trip is soon:

  • Apply on the official portal straight away. The clock starts only when you have paid with complete, valid information.
  • Check your photo and passport scan against the rules above. A rejected upload costs time.
  • Avoid weekends and Vietnamese public holidays in your plan; they are not working days.
  • If you fly directly to Phu Quoc and stay on the island, you do not need a visa for up to 30 days.

Approved ports of entry

E-visa holders must enter and leave Vietnam through the international border gates approved by the government. You do not have to leave through the gate where you entered.

On 2 December 2025, Government Resolution 389/NQ-CP added 41 gates to the original list of 42. On 30 October 2026, the application notes on the official portal list 81 gates: 15 airports, 27 land border gates and 39 seaports. Some official pages still show the older list of 42, including the portal's own "List of Border Gate" pop-up and the US Embassy in Vietnam. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism counts 83, because it includes two airports that are not yet open.

Airports (15): Cam Ranh, Can Tho, Cat Bi, Chu Lai, Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Lien Khuong, Noi Bai (Hanoi), Phu Bai, Phu Cat, Phu Quoc, Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Tho Xuan, Van Don, Vinh.

Land border gates (27): Binh Hiep, Bo Y, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, Dinh Ba, Dong Dang, Ha Tien, Huu Nghi, La Lay, Lao Bao, Lao Cai, Lao Cai (railway), Le Thanh, Long Sap, Moc Bai, Mong Cai, Na Meo, Nam Can, Nam Giang, Tan Nam, Tay Trang, Thanh Thuy, Thuong Phuoc, Tinh Bien, Tra Linh, Vinh Xuong (land and river), Xa Mat.

Seaports (39): An Thoi, Ben Luc, Ben Thuy, Ca Na, Cam Pha, Chan May, Cua Viet, Da Nang, Diem Dien, Dong Thap, Dung Quat, Duong Dong, Gianh, Giao Long, Hai Phong, Hai Thinh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hon Chong, Hon Gai, Hon La, Ky Ha, Lien Huong, My Thoi, Nam Can, Nghi Son, Nha Trang, Ninh Chu, Ninh Phuc, Phu Quy, Quy Nhon, Sa Ky, Soai Riep–Hiep Phuoc, Son Duong, Thuan An, Truong Long Hoa, Van Gia, Vung Ang, Vung Ro, Vung Tau.

Which gate to name on the form. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism says you should enter through the gate named on your e-visa. The Immigration Department's portal says only that you may leave through a different approved gate. Choose the gate you will really use.

Check your Vietnam e-visa status

Go to evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/search. Enter your application number, email address and date of birth. From the same page you can download the e-visa and the payment receipt. The status shows as Unpaid, Processing, Acceptance, Denial or Amendment required.

The Embassy of Vietnam in Washington does not process e-visas. E-visa questions go to the Immigration Department in Hanoi at foreigners@immigration.gov.vn. The Embassy issues regular visas through its own consular portal.

Before you fly: other entry steps in 2026

  • Pre-arrival information (PAI). Since 15 April 2026, the Immigration Department has piloted an online pre-arrival declaration at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn for foreign air arrivals at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City. You submit it within 3 days before entry and get a QR code for the border. In May 2026 it was optional, and the e-visa portal "highly recommends" it.
  • Fake PAI websites. The Ministry of Public Security warns of fake PAI sites that steal card details. The declaration is only on the Immigration Department site.
  • Health declaration. Under Decree 165/2026/ND-CP, in force from 1 July 2026, a health declaration is needed only when the Ministry of Health orders it for a specific disease. The Ministry does not use the website tokhaiyte.vn.
  • Registration of your stay. Your hotel or other accommodation registers your stay with the local police.

Avoid unofficial Vietnam e-visa websites

The Vietnam e-visa official website is evisa.gov.vn, with thithucdientu.gov.vn as a second official address. Both have been live since 11 November 2024. The older address evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn now shows only a notice.

  • Check the address ends in .gov.vn before you pay.
  • The official fee is $25 or $50. A higher price means you are on an intermediary's site.
  • The Immigration Department warns that unofficial sites may charge unauthorised fees.

Official website

  • thithucdientu.gov.vn: where to apply

    Which electronic information page should I access to apply for an electronic visa for Viet Nam? ... If you need to apply for an electronic visa to enter Viet Nam, please access Viet Nam's electronic visa information page at the following addresses: https://evisa.gov.vn or https://thithucdientu.gov.vn to complete the procedure. Make sure to visit the correct website to avoid accessing unofficial electronic information pages, which may result in unauthorized fees according to Viet Nam's regulations.Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked

  • e-services.mps.gov.vn: where to apply

    Bước 1: Người nước ngoài truy cập Trang thông tin cấp thị thực điện tử thuộc Cổng dịch vụ công Bộ Công an (có tên miền tiếng Việt là “https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/”, tiếng Anh là “https://e-services.mps.gov.vn/”) để nhập thông tin đề nghị cấp thị thực điện tử, tải ảnh mặt chân dung và trang nhân thân hộ chiếu.In English: Step 1: The foreigner accesses the e-visa information page of the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal (Vietnamese domain “https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/”, English “https://e-services.mps.gov.vn/”) to enter the e-visa application information and upload a portrait photo and the passport data page.Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked · read from an archived copy of 25 Sep 2026

  • immigration.gov.vn: official information

    NOTICE From 08:00 on 11/11/2024 (GMT+7), the Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal will operate on two new domains: https://thithucdientu.gov.vn and https://evisa.gov.vn. Please visit these new addresses to submit your application and check the results.Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked

  • prearrival.immigration.gov.vn: official information

    The Vietnam Immigration Department highly recommends that passengers access the following link: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn to complete their pre-arrival form prior to entering Vietnam.Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked

Vietnam e-Visa fee history

Each amount with the act or notice that set it, newest first.

  1. Circular 62/2023/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, dated 3 October 2023, amends Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC and sets the fee for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 90 days at USD 50; this clause is in force from 3 October 2023. Set by: Circular 62/2023/TT-BTC of 3 October 2023 amending Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC (Ministry of Finance). Ministry of Finance of Viet Nam · checked
  2. Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, dated 7 April 2021 and in force from 22 May 2021, sets the fee for a single-entry visa at USD 25. Set by: Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC of 7 April 2021 on fees and charges in the field of exit, entry, transit and residence in Viet Nam (Ministry of Finance). Ministry of Finance of Viet Nam · checked
  3. Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, in force from 22 May 2021, set the fee for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 months at USD 50, until Circular 62/2023/TT-BTC restated it for visas valid up to 90 days. Set by: Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC of 7 April 2021 (Ministry of Finance), Part II item 2a. Ministry of Finance of Viet Nam · checked

Official warnings about other sites

Only what governments, regulators and courts have published, quoted word for word. We don't label any website ourselves.

  • On 25 October 2022 the Immigration Department said some businesses and individuals post misleading information on websites and social networks to collect extra e-visa fees, and advised applicants to use the correct e-visa information page and pay the fee, USD 25 as set by the Ministry of Finance, through the online payment system.

    25 tháng 10 năm 2022 CHÍNH SÁCH THỊ THỰC ĐIỆN TỬ GÓP PHẦN THUẬN LỢI CHO NGƯỜI NƯỚC NGOÀI NHẬP CẢNH VIỆT NAM ... Thời gian qua, một số doanh nghiệp, cá nhân lợi dụng đăng thông tin sai lệch trên một số trang Web, trang mạng xã hội để thu thêm phí cấp thị thực điện tử. Do đó, người đề nghị cấp thị điện tử cần tìm hiểu thông tin, truy cập đúng Trang thông tin cấp thị thực điện tử và nộp lệ phí cấp thị thực qua hệ thống than toán trực tuyến (mức phí là 25 USD theo quy định của Bộ tài chính./.In English: 25 October 2022 E-VISA POLICY HELPS FOREIGNERS ENTER VIET NAM ... Recently, some businesses and individuals have taken advantage by posting misleading information on some websites and social networks to collect extra e-visa fees. Therefore, e-visa applicants should find out the information, access the correct e-visa information page and pay the visa fee through the online payment system (the fee is USD 25 as regulated by the Ministry of Finance).Published Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked · read from an archived copy of 8 Dec 2022

  • The e-Visa portal tells applicants to use https://evisa.gov.vn or https://thithucdientu.gov.vn and to make sure they visit the correct website, because unofficial pages may lead to unauthorised fees.

    Which electronic information page should I access to apply for an electronic visa for Viet Nam? ... If you need to apply for an electronic visa to enter Viet Nam, please access Viet Nam's electronic visa information page at the following addresses: https://evisa.gov.vn or https://thithucdientu.gov.vn to complete the procedure. Make sure to visit the correct website to avoid accessing unofficial electronic information pages, which may result in unauthorized fees according to Viet Nam's regulations.Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam · checked

FAQ: Vietnam e-visa

Is a Vietnam visa an e-visa?

It can be. Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam issues e-visas to all nationalities, valid for up to 90 days. You can also apply for a regular visa through a Vietnamese embassy, such as the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington.

How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost on the official website?

$25 for a single-entry e-visa and $50 for a multiple-entry e-visa, paid online on the Vietnam e-visa official site. The fee is non-refundable.

How long does it take to get a Vietnam visa?

The e-visa typically takes 3 working days after payment. If extra checks are needed, it can take 3 to 15 working days. Weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count.

What are the new entry requirements for Vietnam in 2026?

Three changes matter. Since December 2025, e-visa holders can use 81 border gates instead of 42. Since April 2026, a pre-arrival declaration has been piloted at Tan Son Nhat airport. From 1 July 2026, health declarations apply only when the Ministry of Health orders them.

Can I extend my Vietnam e-visa in Vietnam?

The US Embassy in Vietnam says overstays and extensions must be resolved in person with the Vietnamese immigration authorities. Plan your dates so your e-visa covers your whole stay.

Can I apply for the Vietnamese e-visa while I am in Vietnam?

No. The Vietnamese e-visa is only for foreigners who are outside Vietnam when they apply.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Vietnam Immigration Department: official e-visa portalevisa.gov.vn · checked
  2. Vietnam Immigration Department: e-visa FAQevisa.gov.vn · checked
  3. Vietnam Immigration Department: e-visa application notes and border gatesevisa.gov.vn · checked
  4. Vietnam Immigration Department: check status and download the e-visaevisa.gov.vn · checked
  5. Vietnam Immigration Department: notice on the new portal domainsimmigration.gov.vn · checked
  6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam: visa exemption listmofa.gov.vn · checked
  7. Government of Vietnam: e-visas for all nationalities from 15 August 2023baochinhphu.vn · checked
  8. Government of Vietnam: Resolution 389/NQ-CP adding e-visa border gatesvanban.chinhphu.vn · checked
  9. Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam: pre-arrival information systemen.mps.gov.vn · checked
  10. Government of Vietnam: health declaration rules from 1 July 2026baochinhphu.vn · checked
  11. Embassy of Vietnam in the US: visa application processvietnamembassy-usa.org · checked
  12. Embassy of Vietnam in the US: visa exemption certificatevietnamembassy-usa.org · checked
  13. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism: visa requirementsvietnam.travel · checked
  14. US Embassy in Vietnam: Vietnamese visas and entry/exitvn.usembassy.gov · checked

About this page

By the Visa Almanac editorial team. We research and fact-check every rule against the official sources linked on this page. Editorial policy · Change log Last checked: 30 Oct 2026 · Updated: 31 Oct 2026 · Report a change

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