Vietnam Visa Processing Time: e-Visa, Visa on Arrival & How to Avoid Delays
Understanding visa processing time is crucial for foreigners. It not only helps them avoid missing the Vietnam entry but also helps plan their trips effectively, manage unexpected issues, and thereby minimize the incurred time and costs due to plan changes.
1- What affects Vietnam visa processing time?
The time to process a Vietnam visa can vary significantly depending on many factors, both subjective and objective. Here are 7 main factors that affect your application process:
Visa type
In Vietnam, there are currently these types of visas:
- Tourist visa (DL)
- Work visa (LĐ1, LĐ2)
- Investment visa (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4)
- Business visa (DN1, DN2)
- Visiting relatives visa (TT, VR)
- Study visa (DH)
- Press visa (PV1, PV2)
- Conference visa (HN)
- Diplomatic visa (NG1-NG4, LV1-LV2, NN1-NN3)
Each visa has unique paper requirements and a distinct review process. Hence, those requiring more complicated documentation will take a longer process than those with simpler requirements. For example: DL visas are processed in 3-5 days, while DN1 visas (requiring a guarantee letter) take 5-7 days, or LĐ2 visas (requiring a work permit) take 7-10 days.
Visa application method
- E-Visa: 3 days
- Visa on arrival (with approval letter): 2-5 days
- Visa at Embassy/Consulate: 3-7 days
Nationality
Based on some factors like foreign policy, level of bilateral relations, or agreements, some countries will be given priority for faster visa processing than others. For example: Applicants in the EU or US passport holders may experience faster visa processing than those from Middle Eastern or African nations.
Application condition
- Complete and accurate applications are processed faster.
- Missing or incorrect applications will require additional or revised information, leading to review delay or even rejection.
Invitation/Guarantee letter
- With a guarantee letter, some visas (like business, work, investment) may be prioritized for processing.
- Without a guarantee letter, some visas (like tourist visa, e-visa, etc) will undergo a standard process and may take a longer time.
Urgency of need
Depending on the urgency of need, foreigners can choose express or urgent services:
- Standard service: 3-7 days
- Express service: 2-3 days
- Urgent service: 2-24 hours
Tourist season
During peak tourist seasons or major events in Vietnam, the number of visa applications may increase remarkably, resulting in longer review time.
2- What is the processing time for each Vietnam visa type?
Simple visas that require less verification (like travel) are typically processed faster than complex ones that require special documentation and more review procedures from the authority. Therefore, different visa types directly impact processing times.
| Visa type | Processing time | Notes |
| Tourist visa (DL) |
- Visa at Embassy: 7 days - E-visa: 3-5 days - Visa on arrival: 2-5 days |
- Urgent service available for both e-visa and visa on arrival. - E-visa: no extension - Visa on arrival: only entry by air |
| Work visa (LĐ1, LĐ2) |
- LĐ1 (no work permit required): 5-7 days - LĐ2 (work permit required): 7-10 days |
- May need a work permit |
| Investment visa (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4) | 7-10 days | Processing may take longer if investment capital verification or business registration is required |
| Business visa (DN1, DN2) | 5-7 days |
- Need a guarantee/sponsor letter from organizations/enterprises in Vietnam. - Receive a visa stamp at Vietnamese Embassy or Vietnam international airport |
| Visiting relatives visa (TT, VR) | 3-7 days | Need documents proving family relationships (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, household registration books, temporary residence certificates, etc.). |
| Study visa (DH) |
- Visa at Embassy: 3-7 days - Visa on arrival: 5-7 days |
- Visa at Embassy: Need an admission document issued by a Vietnam educational institution - Visa on arrival (only entry by air): Need a visa pre-approval letter registered by a Vietnam educational institution - May need proof of financial capacity |
3- Which Vietnam visa application method is the fastest?
Each visa application method has a different receiving agency, process, and technology, leading to different processing times. E-visa is processed entirely online with maximum simplicity. Visa on arrival involves a Vietnamese agency and must be affixed at the airport. Visa at the Embassy requires direct submission or by post with more manual procedures.
| Visa method | Standard service | Express service | Urgent service | Notes |
| E-Visa | 3 working days | 1-3 working days | 2-4 hours | Processing may take 5-7 days due to incorrect or missing applications or high application volume. |
| Visa on arrival | 5 working days | 2-3 working days | 2-4 hours | Getting your visa stamped at the arrival port typically takes 15-60 minutes, based on the waiting line. |
| Visa at Embassy/Consulate | 3-7 working days | Yes, depending on countries | Yes, depending on countries | Some Embassies offer 1-2 day urgent service for an additional fee. |
4- When should you expect your Vietnam visa?
Understanding varied timelines helps foreigners select the optimal visa method, have a better plan, and control costs and risks. The following are 5 essential times to keep in mind.
2-4 hours to 1-2 working days
1-2 working days is express service while 2-4 hours is urgent service, applicable for e-visa or pre-approval letter (visa on arrival). These options are normally suitable for emergency needs like urgent business trips, medical emergencies, urgent family visits, or unexpected travel.
3 working days
3 days is the standard time to get a Vietnam e-visa since the full application and payment are submitted. This may be the review time for simple visas at the Embassy for some applications from popular nationalities like the US, AU, or EU.
5 working days
For regular tourist or business visas, you need 5 days to obtain a visa if your application is complete and meets all requirements. For a landing visa, this is standard time to get an approval letter from a local visa agency. However, you are advised to apply for this letter at least 7 days before your flight to avoid unexpected issues.
7-10 working days
Visas requiring special documentation take up to 10-day review, for example:
- Work visas require a work permit
- Investment visas require business registration or capital verification
Besides, some complex and long-term visas applied at the Embassy typically require 7-10 days for review.
More than 10 working days
For nationalities requiring careful verification (Middle Eastern or African): Processing may take longer than 10 days. For popular nationalities:
- Incomplete documents => Additional documents take more time to review
- Complete documents => There might be system errors or unforeseen issues => Submit a new application, choose a different visa type, or use urgent service if necessary.
5- How to avoid delays in Vietnam visa processing?
While each visa type and method has standard times for review, applicants may expedite their applications by 5 ways below:
Prepare a complete and accurate application
Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned, causing significant delays. Therefore, applicants must review all requirements carefully and ensure that all the submitted papers/information is accurate:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport photo as required
- An accurate visa application form
- All additional documents based on visa purpose as required
Choose suitable visa application
Depending on your situation and needs, choosing the correct visa application method optimizes processing time:
| E-visa |
|
| Visa on arrival |
|
| Visa at the Embassy/Consulate |
|
Submit your application early
There may be 3-5 day delays during tourist seasons or holidays. Hence, submitting your application 1-2 weeks in advance of your travel plan helps applicants control potential issues like wrong or missing submission, or unexpected process delays.
Apply for an express approval letter for visa on arrival
Applying for an approval letter directly affects the time your visa on arrival is issued. This usually takes 5 working days, but foreigners can use the express service from 2-3 days or the urgent service from 2-4 hours to expedite the process.
Use an urgent visa service
Using an urgent service (for e-visa or visa on arrival) by a local agency can reduce processing time to 1-2 days or even 2 - 4 hours. While the fee will be significantly higher, foreigners can consider this service in cases:
- You have an urgent trip to Vietnam within 1 - 3 days.
- Your flight schedule cannot be changed.
- Your business/travel plan cannot be changed.
- You want to make sure your visa is issued on time as expected.
6. FAQs
- What is the fastest way to obtain a travel visa to Vietnam?
While e-visa is typically the fastest way for a travel visa (3 days), it can extend to 5–7 days due to some unexpected factors. For emergencies, express service (1–3 days) or urgent service (2–4 hours) is available through a local visa agency.
- How long will it take to process a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy if I already have a sponsor letter?
With a sponsor letter, visa review at a Vietnamese Embassy usually takes 3 days.
- What is the peak season for Vietnam visas?
The peak season usually falls on major Vietnamese and international holidays from mid-December to late March, or summer holiday from July to September.
- What nationalities may have longer visa processing times than others?
Nationalities from the Middle East or Africa may experience longer processing times.
- If my application requires additional documents, how much longer will it take?
It may take 3–5 more days for the review.
