Vietnam e-Visa for citizens of the United States: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of the United States apply online before departure, for stays up to 90 days.
Data updated on
Apply online through iVisa
Official fees from €24.
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Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Official fee
25-50 USD
Processing time
3 business days
Allowed stay
90 days
Our guide to the Vietnam visa from the United States
U.S. citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam; the online e-Visa requested before departure is the simplest route.
Vietnam does not waive the visa requirement for United States nationals traveling as tourists. The standard option is the electronic e-Visa, requested from the government portal before you fly.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. A U.S. traveler must hold a valid entry document for Vietnam, and the e-Visa covers tourism and many short stays. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. Confirm the permitted length of stay and number of entries directly on the official portal.
How much does an e-visa for Vietnam cost from the United States?
25-50 USD
Official government fee only. Providers and visa centres add their own service charge on top.
What does a visa for Vietnam really cost?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government fee25-50 USD
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
What documents are required for an e-visa for Vietnam?
Documents required for an e-visa for Vietnam:
- Passport valid 6 months
- Passport-style photo
- Passport bio page scan
Documents and fees
Prepare a U.S. passport valid for six months with blank pages, a compliant passport-style photo, and a scan of the passport biographical page. An address of stay and your travel dates are requested. The exact fee is not guaranteed here: rely on the amount displayed on the official portal at the time you apply.
How to apply for an e-visa for Vietnam from the United States
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
The application is completed entirely online at evisa.gov.vn, the Vietnamese government's official site. You open a case, upload your documents, and pay the fee by card. Avoid intermediary websites that imitate the official service and add surcharges.
Where do you apply for a visa for Vietnam from the United States?
An e-visa for Vietnam is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
Using an online service
You never have to use an intermediary. If you would rather have a service fill in and file the application online for you before departure, iVisa does it for a service fee, charged on top of the official fees. It does not change the decision.
File my application with iVisaPartner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
You live in the United States on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in the United States but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for Vietnam take?
3 business days
Indicative time, counted from a complete file. Peak season can be longer.
Processing and tips
Submit the application several days ahead of departure to absorb any processing time. Print the approved e-Visa and keep a digital copy, because it is checked at boarding and at the border. Always confirm the authorized port of entry shown on your visa.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
The most frequent error is a typo (name or passport number) that makes the e-Visa unusable at the border. Many travelers overpay on unofficial sites. Finally, do not rely on visa on arrival without first confirming that it applies to your entry point and circumstances.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for Vietnam
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Vietnam Official e-Visa Portal
- U.S. Department of State: Vietnam International Travel Information
- Vietnam Immigration Department
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Duration
90 days
Student visa (DH)
Student visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
25–135 USD
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
Overseas Vietnamese 5-year TRC (Việt Kiều)
Family reunification
Duration
5 years (renewable)
Price
10–155 USD
Processing time
14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Diplomatic visa (NG)
Consular visa
Duration
Mission-dependent
Price
Free
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Investor visa (DT1-DT4)
Investor visa
Duration
5-10 years
Price
25–155 USD
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Vietnam e-Visa
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Duration
90 days
Price
25–50 USD
Processing time
3 business days
Long-stay business visa (DN1/DN2)
Consular visa
Duration
1 year
Price
25–135 USD
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
Work Permit (LD)
Work visa
Duration
2 years (renewable)
Price
25–145 USD
Processing time
7-14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Volunteer visa (NN)
Consular visa
Duration
1 year
Price
25–135 USD
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Business e-Visa (DN)
Consular visa
Duration
90 days (multiple entries)
Price
25–50 USD
Processing time
3 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family visa (TT)
Family reunification
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
25–135 USD
Processing time
5-10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Journalist visa (PV1/PV2)
Consular visa
Duration
12 months
Price
25–135 USD
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips for Extending Your Stay in Vietnam
- To extend a tourist visa, you generally need to leave the country and apply for a new e-Visa or visa on arrival.
- For business visas, extension is possible on-site via a local agency or Vietnamese sponsor, but additional documents are required.
- Always keep a printed copy of your visa and passport during your travels.
Example: An American traveler arrives with a 90-day e-Visa. To stay longer, they must leave Vietnam (for example, to Cambodia or Thailand), then apply for a new e-Visa before returning.
Apply online with iVisa
Online application for Vietnam, with no consulate visit.
- Online filing for e-visa and visa-on-arrival destinations
- Online application tracking
- Paid service, on top of official fees
- Decision made by the country's authorities, not by iVisa
Official fees from €24Start my application on iVisa
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Vietnam from the United States?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure and allows a stay of 90 days.
How much does a tourist visa for Vietnam cost?▾
The tourist visa costs between 25 and 50 USD in official fees. Service fees may apply when using a provider.
How long does it take to get a visa for Vietnam?▾
Usual processing time: 3 business days. Allow some buffer before your departure.
What documents are required for a visa to Vietnam?▾
For the tourist visa application, you will need: Passport valid 6 months, Passport-style photo, Passport bio page scan.
How do you apply for a visa for Vietnam from the United States?▾
The application is fully online and made before departure: form on the official portal, documents uploaded, card payment, then the authorisation arrives by email. In most cases no consular visit is needed.
How long can you stay in Vietnam?▾
The tourist visa allows a stay of 90 days.
What other visa types exist for Vietnam?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, Vietnam offers among others: Long-stay business visa (DN1/DN2), Business e-Visa (DN), Work Permit (LD), Student visa (DH), Overseas Vietnamese 5-year TRC (Việt Kiều), Family visa (TT).
Data verified on 25/10/2026 · Our methodology
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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