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Vietnam e-visa for business travelers: how to apply

Vietnam e-visa rules changed in August 2023, and they now let travelers from every country apply online. The Vietnamese government issued Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP on August 14, 2023. It took effect on August 15, 2023. Since then, citizens of all countries and territories can apply for an e-visa, and it allows a stay of up to 90 days. This guide shows how to apply, what the e-visa covers, and where executives most often go wrong.

What changed and who can apply

Before August 2023, the e-visa was open to citizens of a limited list of countries. Resolution 127 removed that limit. Now a passport holder from any country or territory can apply, unless that person is exempt from needing a visa at all. Some nationalities can enter without a visa for a short stay, so check that first. If you qualify for visa-free entry for your length of stay, you may not need an e-visa.

The same resolution set a standard 90-day permitted stay for e-visa holders, and multiple-entry e-visas were approved as well. Vietnam Briefing, a business advisory publication, reported this in August 2023.

Sources: Vietnam Briefing, "Vietnam Introduces an e-Visa for All Citizens from August 15, 2023," August 17, 2023; Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration, e-visa page (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn).

Know what an e-visa is for

This is the point many business travelers miss. The e-visa is a tourism-style entry document. It is not a work permit, and it does not replace a business visa. Vietnam Briefing noted in its August 2023 report that business activity or regular employment in Vietnam needs a business visa and a legal work permit.

So match the document to the purpose of your trip. A short trip to look around a market or meet a possible partner is one thing. Signing contracts for a local entity, running a project on site, or taking up a job is another. If you are not sure which side your trip falls on, ask your host company or a local legal adviser before you book. Do this early, because fixing the wrong visa at the border is hard.

Sources: Vietnam Briefing, "Vietnam Introduces an e-Visa for All Citizens from August 15, 2023," August 17, 2023.

How to apply on the official portal

The process is short. The official immigration portal sets out what you need to do.

  • Check that you are outside Vietnam, hold a valid passport, and are not barred from entry under Vietnam's immigration law.
  • Apply on the foreigner e-visa page of the official government immigration portal. You can apply yourself, or a requesting agency or organization can apply for you.
  • Pay the fee through the portal's electronic payment gateway.
  • Check the result on the same portal.

Use the government portal and not a lookalike site. Many private sites sell help with e-visas and charge extra on top of the official fee. If you do use an agent, pay only for a service you understand.

Sources: Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration, e-visa page (application steps).

Fees, timing and entry points

The e-visa fee is paid online when you apply. The portal states that the fee will not be refunded if your application is refused. That is a good reason to check every detail before you press submit. Confirm the current amount on the portal itself before you pay.

The portal does not list a processing time on its main page, so do not guess. Build a buffer into your plans, and apply well before your flight. Do not wait until the week of travel, especially if you must hold a confirmed ticket or a hotel booking.

You must also enter through an approved port. In August 2023, Vietnam Briefing reported that the e-visa could be used at 13 airports and 16 land border gates. The government lists the approved ports on the portal, and the list can change, so check it for your exact route. If you plan to arrive overland or by sea, check this point first.

Sources: Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration, e-visa page; Vietnam Briefing, August 17, 2023.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems are simple, and you can avoid them with a short checklist.

  • Using an e-visa for work. It is not a work permit or a business visa.
  • Applying for the wrong length or entry type. Choose single or multiple entry based on your real plans for the next 90 days.
  • Typing passport details with errors. A single wrong character can lead to a refusal, and the fee is not returned.
  • Planning an arrival at a port that does not accept e-visas.
  • Leaving the application to the last minute, with no time to fix a problem.
  • Paying a third-party site more than the official fee for no added value.

Keep a printed copy of your approved e-visa, and carry your passport and onward ticket as well. Airlines and border officers may ask for them.

Sources: Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration, e-visa page; Vietnam Briefing, August 17, 2023. The checklist is the editors' own summary.

Sources

  • Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration, e-visa page: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt
  • Vietnam Briefing, "Vietnam Introduces an e-Visa for All Citizens from August 15, 2023," August 17, 2023: https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-introduces-e-visa-for-all-nationalities-from-august-15-2023.html/

This is general information, not legal advice. Entry and visa details can shift, so check the official immigration portal, or ask an immigration lawyer, before you book a trip.