Vietnam visa for Americans (US citizens) – Completed guide
Key facts for US travelers to Vietnam
- Visa requirement: All US 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
Americans journey to Vietnam for a range of reasons such as business ventures, tourist exploration, and visiting relatives. Is a visa required for American citizens entering Vietnam? How can Americans go about securing a Vietnamese visa? In the following guide, VisaNow will detail the suitable visa categories for various travel purposes.
Don’t let visa requirements become a barrier to your journey!
Contact VisaNow today at (+84) 943 676 226 for free expert consultation on Vietnam visa processes tailored specifically for US citizens!
Why choose VisaNow services?
Though Americans have the option to handle their Vietnam visa applications independently, thousands opt for VisaNow annually to streamline the process, prevent errors, and guarantee approval. Let’s examine how our expert service stacks up against the do-it-yourself method:
| 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 US 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.
Need more details before deciding? Here’s everything Americans need to know about Vietnam visas.
Still unsure about which visa type fits your needs? VisaNow’s expert team is ready to advise based on your travel purpose. Contact hotline (+84) 943 676 226 for detailed guidance on all Vietnam visa options!
Is a visa required for Americans traveling to Vietnam?
Yes, American citizens must obtain a visa to enter Vietnam. It’s necessary to secure your visa prior to your trip to Vietnam, except if you qualify for these exemption categories:
- Valid temporary residence card holders
- APEC business travel cardholders
- Diplomatic/official passport holders (stays up to 30 days)
- U.S. diplomatic staff family members
- Airline crew (stays up to 30 days)
- Phu Quoc Island visitors only (stays up to 30 days)
Vietnam visa categories available to Americans
American travelers intending to visit Vietnam can choose from various visa alternatives depending on their circumstances and travel objectives. Here’s a detailed overview organized in table format covering both Americans abroad and those currently within the country.
- For Americans outside Vietnam
- For Americans already in Vietnam
- Short-term visits to Vietnam
Choose the right visa option for your Vietnam adventure with these popular choices:
| Visa type | Duration | Entry type | Purpose | Best for |
| Tourist visa | Up to 30 days | Single entry | Vacation, sightseeing, visiting friends | Travelers with planned itineraries |
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | Single or multiple | Tourism, business, family visits | Digital-savvy travelers needing flexibility |
- Job-seeking or business exploration
Looking for work opportunities or exploring business ventures in Vietnam? Consider these options:
| Option | Initial visa | Duration | Purpose | Next Steps |
| Job seeking | Tourist visa or e-visa | Up to 90 days | Networking, interviews, job hunting | Transition to business visa once employed |
| Business visa | Business visa | Up to 90 days | Business meetings, investment activities | Can be extended or converted to TRC |
Long-term stay options
| 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 |
How do US citizens get a Vietnam visa?
- Outside Vietnam
- Inside Vietnam
Apply for Vietnam e-visa (recommended)
While you can apply through the official government website, thousands of Americans choose VisaNow’s professional e-visa service for a stress-free experience.
With VisaNow’s Vietnam e-visa service, you get:
- Guaranteed processing times:
- Just 4 HOURS for emergencies
- 1-2 DAYS for urgent travel plans
- 3 DAYS standard processing
- Complete application support: Provide your basic information and passport copy – our experts handle all form completion and document preparation.
- First-time approval guarantee: Our specialists review everything thoroughly to prevent common mistakes that often cause rejection.
- Real-time updates: Receive immediate notifications when your visa is approved.
- Peace of mind: Dedicated English-speaking support throughout the entire process.
Apply for a tourist/business visa
To get a Vietnam tourist/work visa for US citizens, you need to take two main steps:
- 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.
VisaNow – We make your visa easy
VisaNow helps you get your Vietnam visa without stress:
- We do all the paperwork for you
- You only need to send us your passport copy and travel dates
- We check everything to make sure your application won’t be rejected
- We offer fast service, from 7 days to just 4 hours for emergencies
- Our staff speaks English and will help you at every step
- We’ll tell you when your visa is approved
- No need to worry about complex forms or rules
- Save time and avoid problems with your visa application
Apply for visa on arrival (VOA)
Does Vietnam have visa on arrival for US citizens? Yes, Vietnam does offer visa on arrival for US citizens. This option means you get a pre-approval letter first, then get your actual visa when you land at Vietnam airports. This is especially useful for urgent or last-minute trips.
Our VOA service gives you:
- Quick approval letters (even same-day for emergencies)
- Simple step-by-step airport instructions
- Help with all your papers
- Support with paying the visa fee at the airport
Want to skip the long lines? Add our airport fast-track service to get through immigration quickly and start your Vietnam trip right away.
Apply for a temporary residence card
If you’re an American planning to stay in Vietnam for a long time, 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 Americans find this process confusing and time-consuming without local knowledge. Our temporary 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 Americans 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!
How much is a Vietnam visa for US citizens?
From outside Vietnam
Should you choose to apply for the e-visa on your own, your cost and processing duration will be:
- E-visa and approval letter: Generally requires 5-10 business days following submission of your application via the official government portal
- Visa processing at airports, embassies, or consulates: Usually 30-60 minutes, though it may extend during peak periods (weekends, holidays) or at high-traffic 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 |
Should you choose to apply through VisaNow, your options for Vietnam e-visa processing duration and fees will be:
| 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 |
Within Vietnam
- Temporary residence card: Typically requires 5-7 business days following submission of all required documentation. Processing may be extended during peak holiday periods.
- Vietnam visa extension: Requires 5-7 business days. You will receive documentation indicating the collection date for your extended visa. During high tourist season or holiday periods, processing may take somewhat longer.
| Type | Duration | Entry type | Fee (USD) |
| Temporary residence card (TRC) | 1 – 2 years | Multiple entry | 145 USD |
| 2 – 5 years | 155 USD | ||
| 5 -10 years | 165 USD | ||
| Visa extension | 90 days | Single entry | 25 USD |
| 90 days | Multiple entry | 50 USD | |
| 90 – 180 days | Multiple entry | 95 USD | |
| 6 months – 1 year | Multiple entry | 135 USD |
Common questions about the Vietnam visa for Americans
Can I enter Vietnam with my e-visa at any entry point?
Can I extend my Vietnam visa?
How long can I extend my Vietnam visa?
Vietnam visa services for Americans by VisaNow
VisaNow assists Americans in obtaining Vietnam visas efficiently and effortlessly. With over 10 years of experience, we deliver Vietnam visa services to over 1,000 corporations annually throughout key metropolitan areas including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Comprehensive service solution: We manage all aspects – visas, residence cards, work permits, document translation, and authentication
- English-fluent specialists: Our professionals address all inquiries with clarity and precision
- Time conservation: We handle document preparation and submission, allowing you to concentrate on your travel or business objectives
- Transparent fees: View all expenses upfront without hidden charges
Our team continues to serve as your reliable ally for Vietnam immigration requirements, guaranteeing complete satisfaction throughout the entire process. Allow VisaNow to streamline your Vietnam.
