Vietnam visa for Indians: Types, fess and documents required

Vietnam has been gaining popularity as a preferred international holiday destination for Indians. The country is a short four to five-hour flight from India. It offers numerous tourist attractions for all age groups and different types of travellers. In recent years, Vietnam has become more accessible with many direct flights and the process of applying for a Vietnam visa for Indians has also become easy. Read ahead to know more about the Vietnam visa for Indians.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes, Indian citizens require a visa for Vietnam. The country does not offer visa-free entry to Indian passport holders for tourism or business purposes. Indian citizens can apply for a Vietnam visa through the Vietnam consulate in India or the simple online visa application system. 

The most common types of visas for tourism and business are the e-visa, which can be applied for online, and the visa on arrival, which requires a pre-approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

It is recommended that Indian citizens check the official Vietnam Immigration Department's website for up-to-date information on visa requirements and application procedures.

Ways to apply for a Vietnam visa from India

If you are an Indian citizen planning to visit Vietnam, you will need a visa to enter the country. There are two ways to obtain a Vietnam visa for Indians. 

First way: Apply for a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. 

• Step 1: You can apply for a visa in person or by mail at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate in India. 

• Step 2: You will need to submit your passport, completed visa application form, and two passport-sized photos. 

• Step 3: The fees to be paid will depend on the type of visa you require.

Second way: Apply for a Vietnam visa online (Vietnam e-Visa). 

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Vietnamese government.

• Step 2: Fill out an online application form.

• Step 3: Upload a digital copy of your passport photo page.

• Step 4: Pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card. 

The processing time for an e-Visa is usually 3 to 5 business days. It's important to note that not all ports of entry in Vietnam accept e-Visas, so be sure to check before you apply. Also, make sure you apply for your visa well in advance of your planned trip to Vietnam.

Is there a Vietnam visa on arrival for Indians? 

Indian citizens can opt for a Vietnam visa on arrival. However, the traveller needs to obtain a pre-approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department before travelling to Vietnam. This option was popular before Vietnam opened the e-Visa service for Indian citizens. The visa on arrival (VOA) is a convenient option for Indian citizens who do not have access to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their home country or do not have enough time to apply for a visa before their trip. 

The VOA service is only available for air travellers arriving at one of Vietnam's international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or Nha Trang). Here are the steps to apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival for Indians. 

1. Visit a trusted travel agency or visa service provider that offers visa-on-arrival services for Vietnam.

2. Fill out the online application form and provide the required information, including personal details, travel itinerary, and passport information.

3. Pay the visa processing fee online using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.

4. Receive the pre-approval letter from the visa service provider via email within 2-3 business days.

5. Print out the pre-approval letter and carry it with you while travelling to Vietnam.

6. Upon arrival at a Vietnam airport, present the pre-approval letter, passport, and two passport-sized photos to the immigration officer.

7. Pay the visa stamping fee in cash (US dollars or Vietnamese dong) to get the Vietnam visa stamped on your passport.

Types of visas for Vietnam

There are several types of visas available for those who want to visit Vietnam. The most common Vietnam visa types include the following. 

• Tourist Visa (DL): As the name suggests this visa type is for people travelling to Vietnam for tourism or other non-business purposes. Vietnam single entry tourist visa has a validity of one month. 

• Business Visa (DN): This type of visa is for people who are travelling to Vietnam for business purposes. The business visa can be valid for a single entry or multiple entries and can be valid for up to 1 year.

• Student Visa (DH): This type of visa is for those people who are travelling to Vietnam for education purposes. You can apply for a student visa after getting admission into a Vietnamese institution. 

• Work Visa (LD): This type of visa is for people who are travelling to Vietnam for work purposes.

• Transit Visa (TT): This type of visa is for people who are transiting through Vietnam on their way to another country. 

It is important to note that there may be additional requirements or restrictions for each type of visa, so it is important to check with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country for more information.

Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens

Here is the list of Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens.  

• Indian citizens must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in Vietnam.

• Indian citizens must complete an online e-visa application form and pay the visa fee.

• Based on your purpose of visiting, Indian citizens can apply for a tourist visa, business visa, or transit visa.

• The validity of a Vietnam visa for Indians depends on the type of visa applied for. Tourist visas can be valid for up to 3 months, while business visas can be valid for up to 1 year.

• The processing time for a Vietnam visa can vary, but generally takes between 2 to 7 working days.

• Indian citizens must have a round-trip ticket, and may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds for their stay in Vietnam.

• Indian citizens are not required to show proof of vaccination for entry to Vietnam.

Vietnam visa fees for Indians

The Vietnam visa fees for Indians depend on several factors, including the type of visa, the duration of stay, and the method of application. Indians can apply for a Vietnam visa through the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in India or an online visa application service. Here is the list of the fees for each method.

1. Application for Vietnam Visa at the Embassy or Consulate and online E-visa is as follows.

• Single entry visa: USD 25 (approximately INR 2,060)

• Multiple entry visa (valid for 1 month): USD 50 (approximately INR 4,100)

• Multiple entry visa (valid for 3 months): USD 85 (approximately INR 7,000)

• Multiple entry visa (valid for 6 months): USD 100 (approximately INR 8,250)

• Multiple entry visa (valid for 1 year): USD 135 (approximately INR 11,100)

2. The processing fees for Visa on Arrival (VOA) letter will vary depending on the service provider. It typically costs around USD 10 to 30  (approximately INR 800 to 2,500) for a single entry visa. The stamping fee paid upon arrival at the Vietnam airport varies based on the number of permitted entries into the country. 

• For a single entry visa, the fee is USD 25 (approximately INR 2,060)

• A 3-month multi-entry visa will cost you USD 50 (approximately INR 4,100)

• A one-year multi-entry visa fee is USD 95 (approximately INR 7,800).

Vietnam visa processing time

The processing time for a Vietnam visa for Indian citizens is similar to the processing time for citizens of other countries. The exact Vietnam visa processing time can depend on several factors, such as the type of visa, the embassy or consulate where you apply, and the volume of applications being processed at the time of your application. If you apply for a tourist visa online through the Vietnam Immigration Department, the processing time is typically 2 to 3 business days. However, if you apply through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, it may take anywhere from 5 to 7 business days.

It's always a good idea to apply for your visa well in advance of your planned travel dates to allow for any potential delays in processing. Additionally, some embassies or consulates may offer expedited processing for an additional fee if you need your visa urgently.

Is Phu Quoc island visa-free for Indians?

Yes, Indian citizens are eligible for a visa exemption to Phu Quoc island for up to 30 days. This means that Indian citizens can enter Phu Quoc without obtaining a visa in advance, as long as they meet the following conditions.

• They enter and exit Vietnam via Phu Quoc International Airport or a seaport on Phu Quoc Island.

• The overall stay in Vietnam is no longer than 30 days.

• They have a return ticket or an onward ticket to a third country.

• You don’t intend to travel to other parts of Vietnam outside of Phu Quoc island. Indian citizens have visa exemption to only visit Phu Quoc island in Vietnam. You will need to obtain a visa in advance if you plan to visit other parts of Vietnam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to the Vietnam visa for Indians.

Can Visa on Arrival be applied directly at Vietnam airport? 

No, You will need to have the approval letter with you when you arrive at the airport. You will not be able to board any airline without the presence of the approval letter.

Is a Visa on Arrival permitted at seaports in Vietnam?

No, applying for a VOA is only possible if you're planning on flying into Vietnam. If you're arriving by any other means, you'll need to follow the offline visa application method. Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), and Danang Airport (Da Nang) are the only airports where visitors are allowed to apply for a VOA.

Can I extend my Vietnam visa? 

Yes, it is possible to extend your Vietnam visa, but the requirements and process can vary depending on the type of visa you hold and your specific situation.

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