6 Things to Know Before Applying For Vietnam Visa

For a tourist planning to enter Vietnam there is a need to organise a letter of approval for a visa on arrival to be issued, a visa exemption document, or a full visa issued in advance.

Here are a few things to know before applying for the Vietnam visa:

1) When to organise the visa
According to the seasoned travellers to Vietnam, the best time to start the process to apply for the visa to Vietnam is about 1-2 weeks before departing from your home country. Even though the process of applying for a visa is relatively straightforward you still want to give yourself enough time in the event of any complications.

Also, the time-frame to organise the visa can vary with the different methods. For instance, the visa in advance from a Vietnam embassy can take 7 days or more, while the quickest and less time-consuming process is the visa on arrival which can typically be organized in 2-3 days. Also, this is the preferred option for travellers looking to organise the cheap Vietnam visa.

2) Apply for the right Vietnam visa
The visa on arrival is the quickest and easiest to organise and certain to appeal to travellers in search of the cheap Vietnam visa option. It is a practical choice for the travellers that plan to enter the country via one of the major international airports (Hanoi, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Danang).

However, for travellers planning to arrive via a land-border crossing or seaport, it will be more practical to apply for the visa in advance using the Vietnam e-visa or the traditional method of applying in advance via a Vietnam embassy or consulate.

3) Keep in touch with the latest Vietnam visa regulations
Before starting the process of applying for a visa, you may want to check the official Vietnam government's website to see the most up-to-date visa rules and regulations. This will give full details on the visa options, documents required, and citizens that can enjoy the short-term visa-free status.

4) Check the validity period of your passport
Any tourist planning to visit Vietnam in the near future should make sure their passport is valid for a period of at least 6 months beyond the time you arrive in the country. If the original passport is expected to expire within this time-frame, it would be necessary to apply for a new one prior to travelling. If not, there is the risk of difficulty in entering the country on arrival.

Also, it is helpful to have enough space in the passport for the visa sticker. This typically requires a full blank page, so if this isn't possible it would also benefit to organise a new passport.

5) Complete the application form 100% accurately
The visa application form must be completed with 100% accuracy with no typing or spelling mistakes that can lead to unexpected issues at the immigration office. The best way to ensure the application is correct is to simply copy the information written on your passport.

6) Keep in mind the arrival date
The period travellers are permitted to enter and travel within the borders of Vietnam is clearly noted on the visa sticker.

However, for the tourist planning to use the Vietnam visa on arrival, the arrival date will be the one declared at the time of completing the application form and noted on the visa approval letter.

It is possible to enter Vietnam at any point within the declared travel period, but not on a date earlier than stated.