You can apply for a Vietnam e-visa yourself on the Vietnam Immigration Department's own portal, evisa.gov.vn[1]. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry[1]. A visa agent is worth paying only if you want someone to check your documents and dates before a non-refundable fee is spent.
Where is the official Vietnam e-visa website?
Since 11 November 2024, the Vietnam Immigration Department's e-visa portal has run on evisa.gov.vn[1]. Type that address in yourself rather than following an ad or a search result, and check the address bar before you enter passport or card details.
How long is a Vietnam e-visa valid, and what does it cost?
- Validity: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry[1].
- Government fee: US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry.
- Refunds: the government fee is not refunded if the application is refused[1].
- Start date: the visa becomes valid on the entry date you choose when you apply. You cannot enter Vietnam before that date, you can enter any time after it, and you must leave before the visa expires. Choosing the date carefully gets you the most out of the 90 days.
What documents do you need?
When we file a Vietnam e-visa, we ask for:
- Your passport biodata page
- An ID-style headshot photo
- A confirmed hotel booking in Vietnam
- Confirmed flights into and out of Vietnam
Most nationalities, including US and EU passport holders, can use the e-visa and apply from anywhere in the world. A few nationalities, Afghanistan and Somalia among them, may face additional requirements or restrictions, so those applications need a closer check before anything is filed.
Should you apply yourself or use a visa agent?
Applying yourself makes sense if your passport is eligible, your dates are fixed and you are comfortable uploading a compliant photo. The fee is the same government fee either way.
Help is worth paying for when:
- You are unsure which entry type you need. Single entry suits one trip. If you plan to leave and come back within the 90 days, you need multiple entry.
- Your dates may move. The visa starts on the date you choose, so a wrong date can cost you days of validity.
- A refusal would be expensive. The government fee is not refunded if the application is refused[1], so a pre-check before payment is the main thing an agent adds.
If you do use a service, it should name its service fee and the government fee as two separate figures, and say plainly that only the Vietnamese authorities decide on the visa. Our guide to choosing a visa agent for Southeast Asia e-visas lists what else to check.
Planning a Thai visa from Vietnam?
The Vietnam e-visa is often bought by people heading to a Thai embassy in Vietnam. That can still work for some Thai visas, such as the tourist visa. It no longer works for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): from 31 August 2026 the DTV is filed only through the Thai embassy or consulate covering your country of citizenship or legal residence. See our guide to the DTV rule change.
How Issa Compass helps
We pre-check your documents and travel dates, then file your e-visa on the official portal. Our service fee and the government fee are shown separately on our Vietnam visas page before you pay. Questions first? Book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Is evisa.gov.vn the official Vietnam e-visa site?
Yes. Since 11 November 2024 the Vietnam Immigration Department's e-visa portal has run on evisa.gov.vn[1].
How long can I stay on a Vietnam e-visa?
The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days from the entry date you choose, as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa[1].
How much is the Vietnam e-visa government fee?
US$25 for a single-entry e-visa and US$50 for a multiple-entry e-visa, both valid for up to 90 days.
Is the Vietnam e-visa fee refundable if I am refused?
No. The Vietnam Immigration Department states the fee is not refunded if the application is refused[1].
Can I enter Vietnam before the start date on my e-visa?
No. The visa is valid from the entry date you chose when you applied. You can enter on or after that date and must leave before it expires.
Can I use a Vietnam e-visa to apply for a Thai DTV in Vietnam?
Only if you are a Vietnamese citizen or a legal resident of Vietnam. From 31 August 2026 the DTV is filed only from your country of citizenship or legal residence.
References
- Vietnam Immigration Department: Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal notice (immigration.gov.vn)