Quick answer: A Vietnam e-visa costs US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry when you apply on the official site, evisa.gov.vn. Standard processing takes about 3 to 5 working days. Visa on arrival has the same US$25 / US$50 stamping fee, paid in cash at the airport, plus an agency fee for the approval letter. Agency e-visa sites often charge US$60 to US$150 for the same visa.
Last updated: September 30, 2026. Fees and processing times can change. Confirm on the official portal before you pay.
How Much Does a Vietnam Visa Cost in 2026?
| Visa option | Government fee | Extra costs | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa, single entry (up to 90 days) | US$25 | None if you apply yourself | US$25 |
| E-visa, multiple entry (up to 90 days) | US$50 | None if you apply yourself | US$50 |
| E-visa through an agency | US$25 / US$50 | Service fee | US$60 to US$150 |
| Visa on arrival, single entry | US$25 stamping fee (cash) | Approval letter fee | About US$40 to US$70+ |
| Visa on arrival, multiple entry | US$50 stamping fee (cash) | Approval letter fee | About US$70 to US$100+ |
| Embassy visa | Varies by embassy | Courier, photos | Varies |
| Visa exemption (eligible nationalities) | Free | None | US$0 |
Bottom line: Applying yourself on evisa.gov.vn is the cheapest paid option.
Official Fee vs Agency Fee: What Is the Difference?
The official fee goes to Vietnam’s government. Agency sites add a service charge for checking your form, faster handling or customer support. Some are legitimate. Many are copycat sites designed to look official.
How to tell them apart:
- The official domain is evisa.gov.vn (or the immigration portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn).
- The official single-entry fee is exactly US$25. If you are asked to pay much more, you are not on the government site.
- Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Vietnam Visa?
| Option | Processing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-visa (official) | 3 to 5 working days | Slower around Tet and public holidays |
| E-visa (agency “urgent”) | Same day to 2 days | Extra fee; agency submits for you |
| Visa on arrival letter | 2 to 5 working days | Urgent option: 1 to 2 hours in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City |
| Embassy visa | About 5 to 10 working days | Depends on the embassy |
Vietnam counts working days, Monday to Friday. Applications are generally not processed on weekends or Vietnamese public holidays.
How Far in Advance Should I Apply?
Apply 2 to 4 weeks before travel. That gives time to fix a rejected photo or typo. Avoid applying more than 3 months ahead, because the visa is linked to your planned entry date.
Can You Get a Vietnam Visa in 24 Hours?
Not through the standard official e-visa process. If you need a visa within 24 hours, your realistic options are an agency’s urgent e-visa service or an urgent visa on arrival approval letter, both at extra cost.
Cost Comparison by Nationality
The e-visa fee is the same for every nationality. What changes is whether you need a visa at all.
| Passport | Need a visa? | Cheapest option |
|---|---|---|
| USA, Canada | Yes | E-visa, US$25 |
| India, Bangladesh, Pakistan | Yes | E-visa, US$25 |
| Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya | Yes | E-visa, US$25 |
| UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain | No, up to 45 days | Free visa exemption |
| Japan, South Korea, Nordic countries | No, up to 45 days | Free visa exemption |
| ASEAN countries | No (length varies) | Free visa exemption |
If you plan to stay longer than your exemption allows, apply for the 90-day e-visa instead.
Other Costs to Budget For
- Photos: Free if you take a compliant phone photo; US$5 to US$10 at a shop.
- Card fees: Your bank may add a small foreign-transaction fee.
- Printing: Carry a paper copy of your e-visa.
- Cash for VOA: Bring clean US dollar notes for the stamping fee.
Is a Vietnam Visa Difficult to Get?
No. Vietnam’s e-visa has a high approval rate for tourists with clean applications. Most refusals come from avoidable errors: a blurry passport scan, a photo with glasses, a mismatched name, or the wrong entry port. Check every field before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canadian citizens pay the same official e-visa fee as everyone else: US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days.
US citizens pay US$25 (single entry) or US$50 (multiple entry) for an official e-visa. Agency websites charge more for the same visa.
The official e-visa usually takes 3 to 5 working days. A visa on arrival approval letter takes 2 to 5 working days, or 1 to 2 hours with an urgent service.
Standard e-visa applications are generally processed on working days only, Monday to Friday, and not on Vietnamese public holidays. Plan around weekends and Tet.
No. The e-visa fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused or you cancel your trip.
No. Indian citizens still need a visa for Vietnam. The simplest option is the official e-visa at US$25 for single entry.
Plan to pay in cash. The stamping fee at the airport landing-visa counter is normally paid in US dollars cash: US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry.
Related Guides
- Vietnam E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival (2026)
- Retire in Asia: Best Countries and Visas
- Digital Nomad Visas Guide
Sources
- Vietnam National Electronic Visa System: evisa.gov.vn
- Vietnam Immigration Department national portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
- Vietnam Briefing, “Vietnam E-Visa: A Complete Guide”
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. One Visa Center is not a government agency.
Get visa, passport, and travel-planning guides like this one sent straight to your inbox — plus first access to new country guides and scholarship roundups.
