What are the criteria for South African travelers who need a Vietnam visa?
Key facts for South African travelers to Vietnam
- Visa requirement: All South African citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam (except those with temporary residence cards, APEC cards, diplomatic passports, etc)
- Visa types: E-visa (30-90 days, single/multiple entry) or visa on arrival (VOA)
- Processing time: 5-10 business days through official government websites, or faster (4 hours to 5 days) through services like VisaNow
- Entry points: Permitted at 13 airports, 16 land borders, and 13 seaports
- Visa extension: Possible to extend from 30 days to 6 months, depending on the visa type
South Africans travel to Vietnam for various purposes including business, tourism, and family visits. Do South Africans need a visa to enter Vietnam? What is the process for South Africans to obtain a Vietnamese visa? VisaNow will outline the appropriate visa types for different purposes in the guide below.
Need expert guidance on Vietnam visa requirements? Our experienced team provides personalized consultation for South African travelers. Contact us at HOTLINE (+84) 943 676 226 for immediate assistance!
Why choose VisaNow for Vietnam visa assistance?
While South Africans can apply for Vietnam visas themselves, thousands choose VisaNow each year to save time, avoid mistakes, and ensure success. Compare our professional service with the DIY approach:
| Factors | Doing it yourself | VisaNow service |
| Processing time | 5-10 days normally | 3 DAYS guaranteed processing 1-2 DAYS for urgent cases |
| Paperwork time | 2-3 hours of reading requirements | Get the complete checklist right away |
| Application help | No help filling forms | Step-by-step guidance and checking |
| Question answering | Only basic FAQ on the government site | 24/7 English-speaking help team |
| Avoiding mistakes | Easy to make errors that cause rejection | Expert review prevents common errors |
| Emergency service | Usually not available | Only 4 hours in urgent cases |
| Airport support | No help when you arrive | Fast-track service available |
| Total cost | Cheaper at first but may pay twice if rejected | Slightly more but guaranteed results |
Our total fees for Vietnam visas for South African citizens are:
| Type of visa | Processing time | Full charge (including Government fee) |
| Single | 4-5 days | 60 |
| 2-3 days | 54 | |
| 1 day | 120 | |
| 4 hours | 150 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Multiple | 4-5 days | 90 |
| 2-3 days | 110 | |
| 1 day | 150 | |
| 4 hours | 180 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Visa on arrival for Tourist | 4-5 days 3 days 2 days 1 day 4 hours | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 |
Note: Full charge includes both the Vietnam Government charge (USD 25 for single-entry or USD 50 for multiple-entry) and our service fee.
Do South Africans need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, South Africans need a visa to enter Vietnam. You must get your visa before traveling to Vietnam unless you fall into these exempt categories:
- Valid temporary residence card holders
- APEC business travel cardholders
- Diplomatic/official passport holders (stays up to 30 days)
- South African diplomatic staff family members
- Airline crew (stays up to 30 days)
- Phu Quoc Island visitors only (stays up to 30 days)
Types of Vietnam visas for South Africans
South Africans planning to visit Vietnam have different visa options based on their situation and purpose of travel. Below is a comprehensive guide for both South Africans outside Vietnam and those already in the country.
- For South Africans outside Vietnam
- For South Africans already in Vietnam
- Short-term visits to Vietnam
South Africans planning short-term visits have two main visa options: tourist visa and e-visa.
| Visa type | Duration | Entry type | Purpose | Best for |
| Tourist visa | Up to 30 days | Single entry | Vacation, sightseeing, family visits | First-time visitors, simple trips |
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | Single or multiple | Tourism, business meetings, family visits | Flexible travelers, multiple entries needed |
- Job-seeking or business exploration
South Africans exploring business opportunities or seeking employment have flexible options using standard visitor visas initially.
| Option | Initial visa | Duration | Purpose | Next Steps |
| Job seeking | Tourist visa or e-visa | Up to 90 days | Networking, interviews, business meetings | Convert to business visa or TRC once employment secured |
| Business visa | Business visa | Up to 90 days | Investment activities, company setup, extended business meetings | Apply for TRC for long-term business presence |
Long-term stay options
South Africans already in Vietnam have two main options for extending their stay legally.
| Option | Duration | Benefits | Processing time | Ideal For |
| Temporary residence card (TRC) | Up to 5 years | – No frequent renewals – Multiple entries/exits – Long-term stay freedom | 5-10 working days | – Foreign employees – Investors – Those married to Vietnamese citizens |
| Visa extension | 30 days to 6 months | – Extended stay without leaving – Simpler than new application | 3-5 working days | Those needing extra time who don’t qualify for TRC |
Detailed procedures for obtaining Vietnam visa for South Africans
- Vietnam visa application process from South Africa
- Vietnam visa extension procedures for South Africans in Vietnam
Apply for Vietnam e-visa (recommended method)
The e-visa is the most convenient option for South Africans planning to visit Vietnam. This online application process eliminates embassy visits and provides flexible processing options.
Our e-visa service includes:
- Guaranteed processing in 3 days (faster than standard 5-10 days)
- Express options available (2 days, 1 day, even 4 hours for emergencies)
- Complete application assistance with document review
- Regular status updates throughout the process
- 24/7 English-speaking support for any questions
The e-visa allows South Africans to enter Vietnam at any authorized port of entry, making it ideal for flexible travel plans.
Tourist and business visa application procedures
The tourist/business visa involves two main steps for South Africans seeking longer stays or specific business purposes.
- First, get an approval letter through a travel agency (you’ll need to send your passport copy and travel dates). This takes about 7-10 days.
- Second, take this letter to a Vietnamese Embassy or the airport when you arrive in Vietnam. You’ll also need your passport, photos, a form to fill out, and money to pay the fee.
Our tourist/business visa service gives you:
- Full paperwork handling from start to finish
- Document verification to prevent rejection
- Flexible processing times (from 7 days to 4 hours for emergencies)
- English-speaking staff assistance throughout
- Application status updates for peace of mind
- Time-saving and problem-avoidance benefits
Visa on arrival procedures for South Africans (VOA)
Does Vietnam have visa on arrival for South Africans? Yes, but it requires a pre-approval letter obtained before travel, followed by visa stamping at the airport.
Visa on arrival is most appropriate for urgent or last-minute trips when other visa options aren’t feasible due to time constraints.
Our VOA service gives you:
- Quick approval letters including same-day emergency processing
- Step-by-step airport instructions for smooth arrival
- Documentation assistance to ensure all requirements are met
- Support with airport fee payment process
We also offer airport fast-track service as an enhancement to standard VOA, allowing you to skip long immigration lines and start your Vietnam trip smoothly.
Apply for a temporary residence card
For South Africans planning long-term stays in Vietnam, we recommend getting a temporary residence card. This card helps you avoid applying for new visas every few months.
Benefits of having a temporary residence card:
- Good for up to 5 years
- Enter and exit Vietnam freely without new visas
- Easier banking and local services
- Legal status for living in Vietnam
Getting this card requires submitting paperwork to Vietnam immigration offices. Many South Africans find this process confusing and time-consuming without local knowledge. Our emporary residence card service saves you hours of frustration with friendly, step-by-step guidance from our English-speaking experts who handle everything for you.
Extend your Vietnam visa
Already in Vietnam, but need to stay longer? You can extend your Vietnam visa without leaving the country. This is perfect if you want to spend more time in Vietnam after your first visa expires.
The visa extension allows you to add:
- 30 days for tourist visas
- Up to 3 months for business visas
- Multiple extensions based on your visa type
Many South Africans struggle at immigration offices due to language barriers and confusing rules. Why waste your vacation time in long lines and filling out forms? Our Vietnam visa extension service makes it simple – hand us your passport and current visa, and our friendly English-speaking team takes care of everything. No stress, no confusion, just reliable results!
Ready to start your Vietnam visa application with professional support? VisaNow’s experts are here to simplify the entire process for you. Call HOTLINE (+84) 943 676 226 for detailed consultation on all visa options!
How much is a Vietnam visa for South Africans?
Vietnam visa fees from South Africa
If you apply for the e-visa yourself, your fee and processing time will be as follows:
- E-visa and approval letter: Usually takes 5-10 business days after you submit your application through the official government website.
- Visa stamping at airports, embassies, or consulates: Typically 30-60 minutes, but may take longer during busy times (weekends, holidays) or at crowded locations.
| Visa type | Duration | Entries | Fee (USD) |
| E-visa | 30-90 days | Single | 25 |
| 30-90 days | Multiple | 50 | |
| Visa on arrival | Up to 90 days | Multiple | 50 |
| 90-180 days | 95 | ||
| 6 months-1 year | 135 |
In case you apply with VisaNow, your choices for Vietnam e-visa processing time and costs will be as follows:
| Type of visa | Processing time | Full charge (including Government fee) |
| Single | 4-5 days | 60 |
| 2-3 days | 54 | |
| 1 day | 120 | |
| 4 hours | 150 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Multiple | 4-5 days | 90 |
| 2-3 days | 110 | |
| 1 day | 150 | |
| 4 hours | 180 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Visa on arrival for Tourist | 4-5 days 3 days 2 days 1 day 4 hours | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 |
Vietnam visa extension fees and TRC costs in Vietnam
- Temporary residence card: Usually takes 5-7 working days after you submit all your documents. It may take longer during busy holiday times.
- Vietnam visa extension: Takes 5-7 working days. You will get a paper showing when to pick up your extended visa. During busy tourist times or holidays, it might take a bit longer.
| Type | Duration | Entry type | Fee (USD) |
| Temporary residence card (TRC) | 1 – 2 years | Multiple entry | 145 |
| 2 – 5 years | 155 | ||
| 5 -10 years | 165 | ||
| Visa extension | 90 days | Single entry | 25 |
| 90 days | Multiple entry | 50 | |
| 90 – 180 days | Multiple entry | 95 | |
| 6 months – 1 year | Multiple entry | 135 |
Frequently asked queries about Vietnam visas for South African applicants
Can South Africans enter Vietnam with their e-visa at any point of entry?
Airports (13 locations):
– Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
– Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
– Da Nang International Airport
– Cam Ranh International Airport
– Phu Quoc International Airport
– Can Tho International Airport
– Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
– Vinh International Airport
– Hue Airport
– Quy Nhon Airport
– Pleiku Airport
– Buon Ma Thuot Airport
– Rach Gia Airport
Land borders (16 locations): Including major crossings from China, Laos, and Cambodia
Seaports (13 locations): Including major ports in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and other coastal cities
Can South Africans extend their Vietnam visa?
How long can South Africans extend their Vietnam visa?
– Tourist visas: Can be extended for 30 days
– Business visas: Can be extended for up to 3 months
– Multiple extensions: Possible for most visa types, subject to immigration approval
– Maximum total stay: Generally up to 6 months with proper extensions
The exact extension period depends on your specific visa type and individual circumstances.
For reliable, professional Vietnam visa services, contact VisaNow today:
- HOTLINE (+84) 943 676 226
- Email: info.visanow@gmail.com
Our team remains committed to serving as your trusted partner for Vietnam immigration needs, ensuring complete satisfaction throughout the process. Let VisaNow simplify your Vietnam travel experience with our expert guidance and support.
Vietnam visa assistance services for South African citizens
With over 10 years of experience, we process visas for foreign employees from more than 1,000 companies each year, operating in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Full service package: We take care of everything – visa applications, residence cards, work permits, document translation, and legalization.
- English-speaking support: Our team provides clear, accurate answers to all your questions.
- Save time: We handle the paperwork so you can focus on your travel or business plans.
- Transparent pricing: Know all costs upfront – no hidden fees, no last-minute surprises.
Our team is committed to being your trusted partner for all Vietnam immigration needs delivering reliable support and efficient solutions from start to finish. Let VisaNow simplify your Vietnam visa process with clear guidance, professional handling, and proven results.
