Applying for a 90-day Vietnam e-visa yourself, step by step: photos, passport, ports of entry, fees, status checks and avoiding fake websites

Since 15/8/2023, Vietnam's electronic visa (e-visa, code EV) has been valid for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry, and is issued to citizens of all countries and territories. Foreign nationals can apply online themselves without a sponsor.

The process isn't difficult, but the two most common mistakes are applying on a fake website and having incorrect details on the e-visa. The steps below apply to the official portal of the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Who can apply for the 90-day e-visa and the legal basis

The 90-day e-visa is based on Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on the entry, exit, transit and residence of foreign nationals in Vietnam, as amended by Law No. 23/2023/QH15, effective from 15/8/2023. Resolution 127/NQ-CP of 14/8/2023 opened the e-visa to citizens of all countries. Regulations may change, so re-read the notices on the official portal before applying.

The e-visa is suitable for tourism, visiting friends and short business trips. It does not permit you to work in Vietnam. Anyone coming to work needs a work permit and the correct category of visa.

• A passport valid for more than 6 months.
• Not barred from entry under Article 21 of Law 47/2014.
• Not covered by any of the cases in clauses 1 to 4 of Article 8 of Law 47/2014.
• An intended stay in Vietnam of no more than 90 days per e-visa.

Preparing your photos, passport and trip details

Have everything ready before you open the application form so you don't have to start again halfway through. Photos must be clear, well lit, free of glare and not cropped at the corners, or your application may be returned.

The specific requirements for e-visa photos (dimensions, file size) are shown at the photo upload step on the portal. Read the instructions there carefully and follow them, rather than using the photo specifications for a paper visa.

• Photo of your passport's personal details page: all four corners visible, the code lines at the bottom of the page clearly legible, not obscured by fingers or light reflections.
• Portrait photo: facing straight ahead, face clearly visible, no hat, no glasses, plain light background.
• Intended dates of entry and exit.
• Intended ports of entry and exit.
• Intended address in Vietnam, such as a hotel or an acquaintance's home.
• An email address you actively use and an international payment card.

Steps for applying on the official portal

Only apply on evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. From 08:00 on 11/11/2024, the e-visa portal moved to these two domains. Old addresses such as evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or evisa.immigration.gov.vn, still cited in many older articles, are no longer correct.

• Type evisa.gov.vn directly into your browser and select the electronic visa section for foreign nationals.
• Read the conditions, confirm, and choose single or multiple entry.
• Upload your portrait photo and the photo of your passport's personal details page.
• Enter your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number exactly, character for character, as shown in your passport.
• Enter your entry date, exit date, ports of entry and exit, and accommodation address.
• Check all the information again before submitting, as it is very hard to amend after submission.
• Note down the application code the system issues. You will use it to check the status and download your e-visa.
• Pay the fee through the online payment gateway. Guidance sources mention international cards such as Visa, MasterCard and JCB; check the portal at the time of applying for the methods currently accepted.

Choosing your ports of entry and exit

The e-visa can only be used at ports on the approved list. Resolution 127/NQ-CP listed 42 international air, land and sea ports. Resolution 389/NQ-CP of 02/12/2025 added 41 more, bringing the total to around 83, including Lệ Thanh (Gia Lai), Bình Hiệp (Tây Ninh), Thường Phước and Dinh Bà (Đồng Tháp), the seaports of An Thới, Hòn Chông and Mỹ Thới (An Giang), and Phú Quý (Lâm Đồng).

The new list uses province names following the 2025 mergers, so province names may differ from those in older articles or maps.

• Choose your port from the drop-down list on the official portal, not from lists copied elsewhere online.
• Enter and exit through the ports you declared to avoid problems at immigration.
• If travelling by land or sea, check that the port is on the e-visa list before booking tickets.
• If your itinerary changes your port, ask the immigration authorities or a support provider before you travel.

Fees, processing times and checking your result

E-visa fees are currently set by Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC of 27/3/2026, effective from 01/4/2026. The fees are unchanged from before. This is a government fee, paid on the official portal. It is non-refundable if your application is refused or if you do not meet the entry requirements.

Standard processing takes 3 working days, and may take longer in peak season or around public holidays. Apply early rather than waiting until just before your flight. Results can be checked and downloaded on evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn using your application code, email and the details you entered.

• Single-entry e-visa: USD 25.
• Multiple-entry e-visa, valid for no more than 90 days: USD 50.
• Checking status: go to the lookup section on the portal and enter your application code and the other requested details.
• Once approved: download the e-visa file, print it out and keep a copy on your phone.
• Check your full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality, entry date and entry type against your passport. A single wrong character could mean being denied boarding or refused entry; the final decision rests with the border police.

Spotting fake websites

Many websites look like the government portal and run paid ads to appear at the top of search results. They charge fees on top of the government fee, and the bigger risk is exposing your passport and payment card details. The authorities have repeatedly warned about this type of scam.

The simple rule: only evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn issue e-visas. Any domain ending in .com, .net, .org or anything other than .gov.vn is not a government channel.

• Type the address directly into your browser; don't click on search ads or links on social media.
• Be wary of claims such as same-day approval, urgent visa or guaranteed visa.
• Check the domain carefully: fake sites often use lookalike names with extra letters or hyphens.
• If the amount you are asked to pay is more than USD 25 or USD 50 without being clearly labelled as a service fee, stop and check the site address.

How Gateway can help

If you would rather not apply yourself, or need to confirm whether an e-visa suits the purpose of your trip, Gateway can do it for you. The government fee remains USD 25 or USD 50, and our service fee is quoted case by case. E-visa issuance is decided by the immigration authorities. Contact: [email protected], +84367387309.

• Identifying the right visa for your purpose, intended length of stay in Vietnam and nationality.
• Applying for single- and multiple-entry e-visas on the official portal.
• Submitting your application, tracking it and handling any requests for additional information.
• Sending you the e-visa along with entry instructions.