Vietnam Visa 2026: E-Visa, Visa on Arrival and Exemptions

Vietnam’s visa system changed significantly in 2023. The e-visa is now the standard route for most nationalities, offering 90-day stays with single or multiple entry. Phu Quoc has a separate blanket visa-free status for all nationalities. As of 2026, two additional entry documents apply alongside your visa or exemption — a digital arrival card and, from 1 July 2026, a digital health declaration. Both are covered below.

Entry documents beyond the visa (as of 2026)

A visa or exemption alone is no longer enough. Two separate digital forms now apply:

Digital arrival card. Introduced in April 2026, this replaces the paper arrival card and must be completed at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours of arrival. You enter passport details, flight number, first-night accommodation address, and purpose of visit; the system issues a QR code to show at immigration. It is free, takes about five minutes, and is currently enforced at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), with rollout to Noi Bai (Hanoi), Da Nang, and land and sea borders expected. It does not replace your visa — it is a registration step only. Full details in our digital arrival card news report.

Digital health declaration — mandatory from 1 July 2026. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health requires all travellers entering, exiting, or transiting Vietnamese airports to submit a digital health declaration, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. Submit no more than seven days before travel; temperature checks and health screenings also apply on arrival at major airports. This is a separate form from the arrival card — you must complete both. Failing to submit either can mean boarding denial at your origin airport. See our health declaration news coverage for the latest.

Requirements change quickly — verify both forms on the official Vietnam Immigration portal (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) shortly before you fly.

E-Visa (recommended route)

The Vietnam e-visa allows 90 days single or multiple entry. It covers all international entry points (airports and land borders).

Apply: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (the official Vietnamese immigration portal).

Cost: $25 USD per application.

Processing time: Typically 3–5 business days. Apply at least a week before travel.

What you need: Passport photo (digital), passport scan, credit card, and entry/exit dates. The application is straightforward.

Eligible nationalities: Most nationalities worldwide are eligible for the e-visa. Check the current list on the official portal — coverage expanded significantly in 2023.

Visa-free entry (selected nationalities)

Several nationalities have bilateral visa exemption agreements with Vietnam, allowing stays without any visa:

• ASEAN member states: 30 days (some up to 30–90 days depending on the specific agreement)
• UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain: 45 days visa-free (as of 2023 updates)
• Japan, South Korea: 45 days visa-free
• Russia, Belarus, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland: various exemption terms

Visa-free entry allows multiple stays but cumulative presence in a 180-day period may be subject to immigration officer discretion. For extended stays, the e-visa is cleaner.

Phu Quoc — separate 30-day visa exemption

Phu Quoc Island has a specific visa-free entry policy: all nationalities can enter Phu Quoc for up to 30 days without a visa, provided they stay on the island. Exiting Phu Quoc to the mainland requires a valid visa.

Practical use: If your Vietnam trip consists only of Phu Quoc, no visa is required regardless of nationality.

Visa on arrival (VoA)

The visa on arrival process (pre-approved online, collect the visa at the airport on arrival) is less commonly used since the e-visa expansion. It was useful when e-visa eligibility was limited; now the e-visa is simpler for most travellers.

VoA remains an option at airports only (not land borders). Requires a pre-approval letter obtained through an agent (approximately $10–20 USD) plus a stamping fee paid on arrival ($25 USD). The e-visa is generally easier.

Extension and overstay

Visa extensions inside Vietnam are technically possible but administratively complex. For most travellers, it’s more practical to exit and re-enter (to a neighbouring country — Cambodia or Laos) rather than extend in-country.

Overstaying your visa has financial penalties and may complicate future entry. Don’t overstay.

Cambodia and Laos border crossings

Vietnam’s land borders with Cambodia (Moc Bai near HCMC, Xa Xia near Ha Tien/Phu Quoc, Tinh Bien near Chau Doc) and Laos (Lao Bao, Nam Can) are covered by the e-visa. The e-visa specifying land border entry works at the major crossings — verify your crossing is covered when applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam? Most nationalities require a Vietnam e-visa, which is applied for online before travel. Citizens of certain countries can enter visa-free for 45–90 days (check the current list, which has expanded significantly in recent years). UK, US, EU, Australian, and Canadian passport holders should verify current requirements before travel.

How do I apply for a Vietnam e-visa? Apply at the official Vietnam e-visa portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). The process takes 3–5 business days and costs approximately USD 25. Beware of unofficial third-party sites that charge significantly more — the official site is the only legitimate portal.

How long can I stay in Vietnam on an e-visa? The Vietnam e-visa currently allows stays of up to 90 days (single or multiple entry). Extensions are possible but administratively complex — most travellers find it easier to exit and re-enter. Verify current regulations before travel as the rules have changed recently.

Can I get a Vietnam visa on arrival? Visa on arrival is available at airports but less commonly used since the e-visa expansion. It requires a pre-approval letter from an agent (approximately USD 10–20) plus a stamping fee paid on arrival (USD 25). The e-visa is simpler and also works at land borders.

Can UK and US passport holders visit Vietnam visa-free? As of recent updates, UK and EU passport holders are exempt for stays up to 45 days. US passport holders require an e-visa. Check the current official list before travel as exemption agreements change — the Vietnamese government expanded the visa-free list significantly in 2023.

What forms do I need to fill in before flying to Vietnam? As of 2026, two digital forms apply in addition to your visa or exemption: the digital arrival card (complete within 72 hours of arrival at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn) and, from 1 July 2026, a mandatory digital health declaration submitted no more than 7 days before travel. Both are free and separate from each other.