Vietnam visa requirements Guide
Who Needs a Visa?
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Indian passport holders generally need a Vietnam visa, and an e-visa is a popular option for eligible travellers. Check Vietnam visa requirements, entry rules, and travel updates with Travel On Call for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
Most travellers do. Indian passport holders need a visa to visit mainland Vietnam, and the most common route is the e-visa from the official government portal, valid for up to 90 days (US$25 for single entry, US$50 for multiple entry). Citizens of some countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, South Korea and Russia, can enter without a visa for 45 days. Several ASEAN nationalities get 14 to 30 days. Phu Quoc Island has a separate 30-day exemption with strict conditions. Indian travellers can read our detailed Vietnam visa for Indians guide, and everyone can follow our step-by-step Vietnam e-visa guide. Not sure about your passport? Contact Travel On Call and our team will confirm the exact rule for your case.
If you are searching “vietnam do you need a visa” or “vietnam do i need a visa”, the answer depends on three things: your passport, how long you plan to stay, and the purpose of your trip. This guide explains every route in one place: visa-free entry, the e-visa, vietnam visa on arrival, vietnam transit visa rules, the phu quoc visa exemption, and the vietnam work visa and vietnam work permit basics. It is based on official government sources and legal summaries checked on 16 October 2026. Visa rules can change at short notice, so where details vary or are not publicly clear, we say so and suggest you confirm with our visa team before you book anything.
What You Will Find in This Guide
- Who needs a visa for Vietnam?
- Vietnam visa-free countries and days
- Vietnam visa requirements by nationality (table)
- Vietnam e-visa: fees, validity and how to apply
- Vietnam visa on arrival
- Vietnam transit visa
- Phu Quoc visa rules
- Vietnam work visa, work permit and business visa
- Passport requirements for Vietnam
- Digital arrival card (new in 2026)
- Common mistakes to avoid
- FAQs
Who Needs a Visa for Vietnam in 2026?
The basic rule is simple. Unless your nationality is on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list, Vietnam need visa applies to you, and you must hold a valid visa or approval before you travel. Since August 2023, Vietnam has issued e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. That makes the e-visa the standard route for anyone who is not exempt. Our complete Vietnam e-visa guide covers eligibility, documents and the application in detail.
In practice, travellers fall into four groups:
- Visa-exempt nationalities, who can enter without applying for a visa for a fixed number of days.
- E-visa travellers, which includes India, the United States, Canada, Australia and many other countries.
- Phu Quoc-only visitors, who may use the island’s special 30-day exemption if all conditions are met.
- Long-stay or work travellers, who need a specific visa category and, in many cases, a work permit.
Vietnam Visa-Free Countries and Number of Days
The phrase vietnam visa free covers several separate schemes, and the number of days differs by country. Here is how vietnam visa free countries are generally grouped, based on government resolutions and travel-industry summaries. If you want to know whether your own vietnam passport visa free status applies, check the official portal or ask our team, because the lists are updated by government decision. Treat any vietnam passport visa free countries list you find online, including this one, as a guide and not a guarantee.
45 days visa-free
Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland are consistently listed in the 45-day group. Vietnam also added more European countries to this scheme in 2025, and the scheme has been extended into 2028. Because lists published by different websites do not always match, please confirm your country with Travel On Call or on the official immigration portal before relying on it. For the UK, the exemption applies to regular British passports, and British National (Overseas) passport holders are generally not eligible and should apply for an e-visa.
30 days visa-free (ASEAN)
Citizens of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos are commonly listed with a 30-day exemption.
21 and 14 days visa-free
The Philippines is listed at 21 days. Brunei and Myanmar are listed at 14 days.
Other nationalities
Vietnam has other bilateral exemptions and special categories (for example diplomatic and official passports, and certificates for overseas Vietnamese). The total number of exempt countries is reported differently across sources because of these special cases. If your country is not named above, contact Travel On Call and we will check the current position for your passport.
Important: India, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are not on the standard visa-exemption list, so citizens of these countries need a visa to visit Vietnam for tourism.
Vietnam Visa Requirements by Nationality
| Passport | Visa needed? | Allowed stay | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Yes | Up to 90 days with e-visa | Apply for the e-visa on the official portal, or arrange visa on arrival with an approval letter (air arrivals only) |
| United States | Yes | Up to 90 days with e-visa | Apply for the e-visa |
| Canada | Yes | Up to 90 days with e-visa | Apply for the e-visa |
| Australia, New Zealand | Yes | Up to 90 days with e-visa | Apply for the e-visa |
| United Kingdom (regular passport) | No | 45 days | BNO passport holders should apply for an e-visa |
| Germany, France, Italy, Spain | No | 45 days | Stays beyond 45 days need a visa |
| Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | No | 45 days | Stays beyond 45 days need a visa |
| Japan, South Korea | No | 45 days | Stays beyond 45 days need a visa |
| Russia | No | 45 days | Stays beyond 45 days need a visa |
| Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos | No | 30 days | Stays beyond 30 days need a visa |
| Philippines | No | 21 days | Stays beyond 21 days need a visa |
| Brunei, Myanmar | No | 14 days | Stays beyond 14 days need a visa |
| Any other passport | Please confirm | Depends on nationality | Contact Travel On Call to confirm your exact requirement, or check the official e-visa portal |
Visa-exemption lists are updated by government resolution. Always confirm your exact passport on the official Vietnam e-visa portal or with Travel On Call before you book flights.
Vietnam E-Visa: Fees, Validity and How to Apply
For most readers, especially Indian travellers, the e-visa is the practical answer to visa requirements to visit vietnam. You can also read our dedicated Vietnam e-visa page for a full walkthrough, and Indian applicants can see the Vietnam visa for Indians page. The key facts reported by official and travel sources are:
- Validity: up to 90 days from your declared entry date.
- Entries: single or multiple, selected when you apply.
- Government fee: US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. The fee is non-refundable, even if an application is declined.
- Processing time: usually about three working days. It can take longer around public holidays, so apply early.
- Entry and exit points: you select these in your application. Your e-visa applies to the points you choose, so enter them carefully.
How to apply, step by step
- Go to the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Type the address yourself instead of clicking a search advert, because look-alike sites exist and charge extra fees. The official address ends in .gov.vn.
- Upload a clear scan of your passport data page and a recent passport-style photo.
- Enter your personal details, travel dates, purpose of visit and your entry and exit points.
- Pay the government fee online by card.
- Save your registration code, check the status after about three working days, then download and print your approved e-visa to carry with your passport.
It is best to apply at least a week before travel. If you would like someone to double-check every field before you pay the non-refundable fee, our visa consultancy team in Gurgaon can help.
About extending an e-visa: The US State Department states that Vietnam does not allow e-visa renewal or extension from within the country, while some private guides mention limited extension options. Because the information is not consistent, do not plan your trip around an extension. If you think you may need to stay longer than your visa allows, please contact Travel On Call before you travel.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival: How It Works
The vietnam visa on arrival is often misunderstood. You cannot simply land and ask for a visa. It works in two steps:
- Before you fly, obtain a pre-approval (entry approval) letter through a licensed Vietnamese agency. Processing normally takes a few working days.
- On arrival at an international airport, present the printed letter and your passport at the visa-on-arrival counter and pay the stamping fee in cash or as the airport requires.
Visa on arrival is available for air arrivals only, not for land or sea crossings. Airlines may refuse boarding if you do not carry the approval letter, so never fly without it. Fees for the approval letter and the stamping fee vary by provider and by single or multiple entry, so for a current quote please contact Travel On Call. For many travellers, the e-visa is simpler because it is applied for directly on the government portal. Indian travellers can compare both routes on our Vietnam visa for Indians page.
Vietnam Transit Visa: When You Need One
A vietnam transit visa is generally not required if you stay in the international transit area of the airport and continue on your connecting flight. A visa or valid exemption is needed if you plan to leave the airport, or if your connection involves collecting baggage and re-checking in, such as on separate tickets.
Layover rules can depend on your airline, your tickets and your nationality. If your journey involves a long layover or you want to step out of the airport to explore Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, please confirm your situation with Travel On Call before you book. Vietnam Airlines also publishes details of its own transit service for long connections.
Phu Quoc Visa: The Island Exemption Explained
Phu Quoc has a special policy that lets foreign visitors stay on the island for up to 30 days without a visa. This is the phu quoc visa exemption, and it can be convenient for a short beach holiday. However, Visa-free does not mean No rules. The visa for Phu Quoc exemption is usually described with these conditions:
- You arrive directly from outside Vietnam, for example on a direct international flight to Phu Quoc International Airport.
- You stay on Phu Quoc only. The exemption does not cover the rest of Vietnam.
- You hold a valid passport and may be asked for proof of onward travel out of Vietnam within 30 days.
- Your stay does not exceed 30 days.
If you plan to go to the Vietnamese mainland at any point, for example Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Hanoi, you need a valid Vietnam visa such as the e-visa. If you fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City first and then continue to Phu Quoc, the island exemption may not apply to you. Indian travellers in particular should confirm the conditions (see our Vietnam visa for Indians guide) before booking flights, because misunderstanding this exemption can lead to problems at check-in or arrival. When in doubt, ask Travel On Call or apply for the e-visa so you are covered across Vietnam.
Vietnam Work Visa, Work Permit and Business Visa
Working in Vietnam involves separate documents, and confusing them is a common mistake. A visa allows you to enter and stay. A work permit is the legal permission to be employed. Having a visa alone does not give you the right to work.
Vietnam work permit
The rules for foreign workers were updated by Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on 7 August 2025. Legal summaries report simplified paperwork, an integrated application process, and a wider exemption for certain managers, executives, experts and technical workers who work in Vietnam for less than 90 days in a calendar year. The employer in Vietnam normally leads the application. Working without the correct permit can lead to fines and other penalties, so this should never be guessed. A summary from Vietnam Briefing explains the overall process in more detail.
Vietnam work visa
For employment, you generally need the right vietnam work visa category along with either a work permit or an official confirmation that you are exempt from one. The exact category, documents and timelines depend on your employer, your role and your nationality. Please speak to your employer’s legal or HR team and contact Travel On Call for help with the visa side of the process.
Vietnam business visa
A vietnam business visa is usually linked to business activity and is often sponsored or supported by a company in Vietnam. For short trips such as meetings, some business travellers use an e-visa or a visa exemption instead, but the correct option depends on what you will actually do in Vietnam. If you are unsure whether your activity counts as business travel or as work, check with the inviting company and speak to our team. Corporate travellers can also explore our corporate travel services for flights, hotels and visa support in one place.
Passport Requirements for Vietnam
Travel On Call is here to help! Whether you need a new passport, passport renewal, or Vietnam visa assistance, our team can guide you through the process. Contact Travel On Call today for reliable passport and visa services and make your international travel planning hassle-free.
New in 2026: Vietnam Digital Arrival Card
From 15 April 2026, most foreign nationals arriving at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport are required to complete a free digital pre-arrival declaration on the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, before reaching immigration. After submitting, you receive a QR code to show on arrival. The card is only an immigration registration step. It does not replace your visa or visa exemption. Other airports may adopt the same system, and timing rules can change, so check the official portal before every trip and use only that site, which is free of charge.
Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes to Avoid – Travel On Call
Travel On Call helps you with passport and visa services for a smoother international travel experience. Before planning your trip to Vietnam, make sure you avoid these common visa and passport mistakes:
Using unofficial websites: Apply through Vietnam’s official e-visa portal, evisa.gov.vn, to avoid misleading websites and unnecessary service charges.
Misunderstanding Phu Quoc’s visa exemption: The 30-day exemption is subject to specific conditions and does not automatically cover travel throughout mainland Vietnam.
Travelling without the required visa approval: Confirm the applicable visa requirements before departure, as visa-on-arrival arrangements may require prior authorisation.
Entering incorrect e-visa details: Double-check your passport information, personal details and intended entry point. Visa application fees are generally non-refundable.
Ignoring passport validity: Check your passport’s validity and Vietnam’s current entry requirements before travelling.
Confusing a tourist visa with a work permit: A tourist visa does not automatically authorise employment. Check whether a work permit or exemption is required.
Overstaying your visa: Follow your authorised stay period to avoid potential penalties and future immigration complications.
Need help with your Vietnam visa or passport? Contact Travel On Call for passport application, renewal and visa assistance. Our team can help you understand the documentation process and prepare for your international journey with greater confidence.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Your passport is on the exemption list and you stay within the allowed days: you may enter without a visa. Confirm your country first.
- Indian passport, tourism or a short visit: the e-visa is the most common route.
- Short beach trip to Phu Quoc only: the island exemption may apply if every condition is met. An e-visa is the safer option if you may visit the mainland.
- Long layover and you want to leave the airport: check whether you need a visa or exemption.
- Work or business activity: confirm the right visa and work-permit position with your employer and with our team.
Once your visa route is clear, the rest of the trip is easy to plan. Travel On Call can help you book international flights, hotels, travel insurance and foreign currency. If you want a ready-made holiday, share your dates on our tour package enquiry page. You can also browse more checklists in our visa guides and our travel blog.
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Need Help With Your Vietnam Visa?
If your passport is not listed in this guide, or you are unsure about visa on arrival, Phu Quoc, transit or work rules, please contact Travel On Call before you book. Our Gurgaon-based team has been helping individual and corporate travellers with visas, flights and holidays since 2011. WhatsApp us on +91-9891747566, call +91-9899241501, or email support@traveloncall.in. You can also explore our visa consultancy services or read why travellers choose the best travel agency in Gurgaon.
Disclaimer: Visa rules, fees and exemption lists are set by the Vietnamese government and can change without notice. This guide is for general information only, was last checked on 16 October 2026, and is not legal advice. For a confirmed answer for your passport and travel plans, please contact Travel On Call or the Vietnam Immigration Department before you travel.
