Everything You Need To Know About Vietnam Visa

As per the immigration laws of Vietnam, British passport holders can enter Vietnam for upto 15 day for tourism or business. If your visit exceeds 15 days then one can apply for e-Visa valid for 1 entry and upto 30 days stay.

Note: If you do not hold an official British citizen passport but have another type of British nationalities, such as British national (overseas), you need to apply for a regular visa before you plan your travel into Vietnam.

Important points to consider when applying for Vietnam visa

If your travel plans include several visits within a short span, you are advised to apply for a regular multiple entry visa (which is covered in the following sections). 

This is because the evisa is currently valid for 1 entry only.

When your port of entry is Phu Quoc, note that here you can avail the facility of visa-free entry of up to 30 days. However, this is valid when your itinerary includes only stays in Phu Quoc. If you are visiting other places, you have to follow the visa requirements of the respective regions.

Hence, when you enter through Phu Quoc and plan to stay here for the entire duration, select the 30-day Phu Quoc visa waiver. If you plan to travel to other places, opt for the evisa facility. Communicate with the immigration official clearly so that he grants you the required exemption facility.

If you choose the 30-day Phu Quoc visa waiver and later change your plans and wish to travel to the Vietnamese mainland, you have to apply for a Vietnamese visa at the Phu Quoc Immigration Office. Again, when you have the 30-day waiver but travel to another nation and return to Vietnam, you can re-apply for an e-visa.

We know the above regulations can be confusing. If you have any additional doubts, you can call our helpline and discuss with us about your exact requirements. We shall guide you through the process.

Overall, British nationals have the following visa types available:

1. E-visa
2. Regular visas obtained from the Vietnamese Embassy in London

E-visa

If you have fixed travel plans, that exceeds 15 days but is limited for up to 30 days, you can apply for an e-visa. For this, you need to submit your application online. This is one of the fastest, easiest, and most comfortable methods since you can carry out the entire process electronically from any location.

All you need to do it fill out the application form online. The documents required to be submitted are a scanned copy of the biodata pages of your passport and a recent passport-size photograph. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a Visa Approval Letter issued by Vietnam Immigration Department through email.

Now, take a print out of the approval letter. Once you arrive at the visa landing counter in Vietnam, present this document to the immigration officer along with your original passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity and at least two blank pages), 2 passport-sized photos, the completed and signed visa application form, and stamping fee.

The official will tally your documents with the records on the system and stamp the visa on your passport.

Note: E-visa is applicable only at fixed entry/exit points in the country. You need to select this point when you fill up your application form.

The international airports where e-visa is allowed are

• Hanoi City
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Da Nang City
• Nha Trang City
• Hai Phong City
• Phu Quoc Island
• Any of the 13 international land border crossings.

Regular visas

When you do not have fixed travel plans or you are planning to stay in Vietnam for more than 30 days, you need to obtain a visa from the nearest Vietnamese embassy before you enter the country.

Regular tourist visa

Regular Vietnamese tourist visas can be applied at the embassy. They are available in either single entry or multiple entries. Both single entry and multiple entry visas come with validities of 30 and 90 days. You can apply for one as per your requirements.

For this, you will need a completed visa application form, a valid and original passport, and a passport-size photograph. You do not need an appointment to submit the application package.

 Once your visa is processed, your stamped passport can be collected from the consular section of the embassy.

Regular business visa

Regular business visas, which are obtained from the embassy, also offer options of single and multiple entries. They arrive with validities of 30 and 90 days, just like tourist visas.

For this, apart from the passport, photograph, and visa application form, you need to submit an invitation letter, travel itinerary (onward/return tickets). As for the application process, it is similar to that for a tourist visa.

Diplomatic visa

If you hold a diplomatic or official passport and are based in the UK, you can get a visa on Gratis. For this, apart from the general documents (passport, photograph, and visa application form), you need to submit a Note Verbal or an official letter from the UK Foreign Office or diplomatic missions accredited to the UK.

Visa for official travel

In order to avail an official travel visa, you have to apply though the Embassy. For this purpose, you need to submit a completed application form, a passport, and a photograph. The specifications are the same as those for a tourist visa.

Along with the above documents, please attach a business cover letter from your employer in the UK, a proof of approval issued by the sponsor in Vietnam, and a Note Verbale specifying your purpose of travel and approved by the Vietnamese Embassy.

Once all the documents are in order, follow the same steps for visa application as outlined in the section for tourist visas.

Transit requirements

British nationals transiting visa Vietnamese airports are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 24 hours. However, for this, you must have a valid passport, hold proof of sufficient funds, own onward/return airline tickets, and possess all the documentation required for the next destination.

Vietnam entry requirements for British nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese nationals

If you are a British national and are the spouse or child of a Vietnamese resident, you can apply for a visa exemption certificate.

This certificate offers a validity of up to 5 years and you can use it to enter Vietnam multiple times, with each visit not exceeding 6 months.

You can apply for this document at your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or at the Immigration Department in Vietnam.

Restrictions at land borders

Do note that in Vietnam, there are several local crossing points shared by the borders of Cambodia and Laos. These crossing points are only meant to be used by citizens of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

 If you attempt to cross such locations, please confirm with the local authorities before travelling to the points.

Registration

After you arrive in Vietnam, you need to register your stay. If you are staying in a hotel, submit your passport at the check-in point and the staff shall register your stay with the local police. 

Ensure that you collect your passport and do not use it as a means of renting a room.

Again, if you are planning to stay in private accommodation, you can take the help of your host to register yourself. Failing to abide by the rules can lead to a fine or penalty.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted by the Vietnamese government for entry, airside transit and exit from the country. Of course, you should apply for a visa before your travel plans.

However, in the case that you lose your passport, you can apply for an ETD at the Vietnam Immigration Department. However, before you exit Vietnam, you must apply for an exit visa. This process may take up to 5 working days.

Under any scenario, never overstay the period mentioned on your Vietnamese visa. If you do so and do not have the required permissions from authorities, you may be fined and your travel plans can be delayed.

 For any doubts, you can always reach out to our 24x7 helpline or contact the Vietnamese Embassy in London.