Vietnam Visa

Vietnam Visa: Verified Information on Length of Stay, Fees and Processing Time

The exemption period granted to holders of diplomatic, service and special passports is officially defined; holders of ordinary passports travel with an e-Visa, and the fee is shown on the portal during the application.

A visa exemption of up to 90 days is granted only to holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, as confirmed by the Ministry. The length of stay for ordinary passport holders, on the other hand, is limited to the period stated in the e-Visa approval they receive.

Variable data such as the fee and processing time are shown directly by the system during the application on the official Vietnam Immigration Department e-Visa portal. For this reason, the most reliable way to see current figures is at the time you apply.

Documents Required for a Vietnam Visa (2026)

Because the e-Visa application is completed online, the required documents are usually uploaded in scanned/digital format. The main documents expected are:

• A scan of your valid passport (biographical page)
• A passport photo with a white background that meets biometric standards
• Application form details stating the purpose of travel and the entry and exit dates
• A declaration of the selected port of entry (airport/border crossing/seaport)

For business travel, an invitation letter may also be requested; for a student visa, an acceptance letter from the educational institution is required. We go into these differences in the next section.

Details such as the passport validity period and the exact technical dimensions of the photo are set out step by step in the application form itself on the official Vietnam Immigration Department e-Visa portal during the application. The safest approach is to follow the technical requirements the system asks of you while filling in the form.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa: The e-Visa Process Step by Step

The application process is entirely digital and proceeds step by step through the official portal. You can follow the flow below to make the process clear.

The approved e-Visa is presented to the immigration officer together with your passport on entry. This differs from traditional visa applications handled through an embassy or consulate, because no physical document submission or in-person appointment is required.

What Do the Exemption Rules Say for Diplomatic, Service and Special Passport Holders?

According to the official statement of the Ministry, our citizens holding diplomatic, service and special passports travelling to Vietnam are exempt from the visa for up to 90 days.

This exemption is limited to the three passport types listed. Civilian citizens holding an ordinary passport are not covered and must apply for an e-Visa.

Vietnam Visa Types: Comparing Tourist, Business and Student Visas

Turkish citizens going to Vietnam have different visa categories depending on the purpose of travel. Tourist, business and student visas differ from one another in both the application documents and the number of entries.

For tourist travel, most of our citizens use the electronic permit system. This system is designed for holidays, family visits or short trips.

For business visa applications, the situation is different. Our citizens travelling for business are expected to obtain an official letter of invitation from their business partner in Vietnam or from the company they will work for.

If you will actually start working in Vietnam, an e-Visa or business visa alone is not enough. As stated on the official Vietnam Government portal, foreign workers must also obtain a work permit.

This permit is shaped by different scenarios, such as an employment contract, an intra-company transfer programme or a service provision contract. For student visa applications, an acceptance letter from the educational institution in Vietnam is a prerequisite.

Our citizens with student status may be directed to a multiple-entry, longer-term visa category depending on the length of their studies. We have summarised the main differences between the three main categories in the table below.

Differences in the number of entries, duration and fees specific to business and student visas become clear during the application on the Vietnam Immigration Department's official e-Visa portal. For our citizens who will start working in Vietnam, the work permit requirement also applies; we covered this in detail in the previous section.

Common Mistakes and Reasons for Refusal in Vietnam Visa Applications

Most of our citizens who face refusals or delays in Vietnam visa applications suffer from similar mistakes. Most of these mistakes are details that can easily be prevented before applying.

• The passport validity period being insufficient relative to the return date of the trip.
• The photo not meeting resolution, background or size standards.
• Details such as name, passport number or date of birth on the online form not matching the passport exactly.
• Selecting the wrong border crossing, airport or seaport of entry in the e-Visa application.
• A valid invitation letter being missing or out of date in business visa applications.

Our citizens holding an ordinary passport should remember that, as the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states, they are subject to a visa. Attempting to travel without a visa by mistakenly believing you hold a diplomatic or special passport can lead to serious problems at the airport.

Even the smallest typing error on the application form can lengthen the approval process. For this reason, we advise keeping your passport at hand and checking each field one by one before filling in the form.

Applying on Your Own or With Consultancy Support? Pros and Cons

The Vietnam e-Visa system is, in theory, an online process that every applicant can complete on their own. In practice, however, refusals caused by form errors and technical details such as choosing the port of entry can be challenging for some of our citizens.

Our citizens who get consultancy support gain extra assurance on form checks and document completeness. As Kolay Seyahat, we offer a consultancy service to guide your application process correctly, without replacing the official procedures.

The official visa fee is always paid to the relevant government body; the consultancy service is a support fee separate from this official fee.

Immigration Control on Arrival in Vietnam and What to Watch Out for at the Airport

Our citizens travelling to Vietnam with an e-Visa must present a printout of the approval document together with their passport to the immigration officer at the airport or border crossing. The electronic approval is not enough; carrying a physical printout speeds up the process.

The point of entry must be exactly the same as the border crossing, airport or seaport declared in the e-Visa application. Attempting to enter through a different point can cause serious delays at immigration control or lead to being turned away.

The immigration officer may ask additional questions about a return ticket or proof of onward travel, accommodation details or sufficient funds. Keeping these documents with you in digital or printed form makes the process easier.

Where you need to fill in a customs declaration form, it is also important to pay attention to the rules on declaring currency and goods. As there can be long queues at the airport, we recommend allowing enough time based on your flight time.

Frequently asked questions about the Vietnam visa for Turkey citizens

How long does it take for Turkish citizens to get a Vietnam visa?

You can track the status of your application on the Vietnam Immigration Department's e-Visa portal.

Which official website should I use to apply for the Vietnam e-Visa?

You must apply at https://evisa.immigration.gov.vn, the official electronic visa portal of the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Can diplomatic passport holders enter Vietnam without a visa?

Yes; according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our citizens holding diplomatic, service and special passports are exempt from the visa for up to 90 days. Ordinary passport holders, however, are subject to a visa.

How can I pay the Vietnam e-Visa fee?

Payment is made through the official e-Visa portal during the application.

Should I get a single-entry or multiple-entry Vietnam visa?

It depends on your travel plan: if you do not plan to leave Vietnam and re-enter, the single-entry option is enough; if you plan to cross into neighbouring countries, you should consider the multiple-entry option. We recommend getting information from the official portal for the exact conditions.

Do I also need a work permit to work in Vietnam?

Yes. According to the official Vietnam Government portal, foreigners who will actually work in Vietnam are legally required to obtain a work permit separately, regardless of their visa or permit.

What should I do if my Vietnam visa application is refused?

You can carefully review the notice showing the reason for refusal, correct the missing or incorrect information and apply again. In unclear cases, getting professional consultancy support to have your form checked again can speed up the process.