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.
Official sources to check before you apply or travel
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice (entry requirements by country)
- Government of Canada travel advice and advisories
Visa rules, fees, processing times and entry requirements change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website, or with the embassy or consulate, before you apply, pay or travel. One Visa Center is an independent information site, not a law firm or government agency, and this article is not legal advice. Read how we research, fact-check and use AI tools in our Editorial Policy.
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