Vietnam Visa for U.S. Citizens: eVisa vs. Visa on Arrival vs. Embassy Visa — Fees and Timelines

U.S. citizens need a visa for Vietnam, and there are three ways to get one: the government's online eVisa, a visa on arrival arranged through a pre-approval letter, and a traditional embassy visa issued in Washington. Since Vietnam extended the eVisa to 90 days and multiple entries, the online route has become the right answer for the large majority of American travelers — but the other two still have specific uses. This guide compares all three on cost, timing, and where each one lets you enter.

Option 1: The Vietnam eVisa

The eVisa is issued by Vietnam's Immigration Department through its official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Key terms published on the portal:

• Fee: US$25 for a single-entry eVisa, US$50 for multiple entry, paid online and non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
• Validity: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, from the entry date you request.
• Entry points: you must enter and exit through the international border gates designated for eVisa holders — the major airports, plus listed land and sea crossings.
• Processing: the Immigration Department states a target of three working days after fee payment, excluding Vietnamese holidays. In practice, allow a week, and longer around Tết (Lunar New Year).

You upload a passport bio-page scan and a photo, enter your intended entry date and gate, pay, and later download the approved eVisa PDF. Print it; airlines check it at departure.

Option 2: Visa on arrival (approval letter)

Vietnam's "visa on arrival" is not a walk-up visa. It requires a pre-approval letter obtained through a Vietnam-based sponsor before you fly; on landing you present the letter, photos, and the stamping fee at a designated counter. Two realities in 2026: it is only available at international airports, and because the eVisa now covers 90 days and multiple entries, the approval-letter route has shrunk to niche cases — last-minute travel when the eVisa queue is backed up, or travelers whose sponsor is already filing group paperwork. Expect airport queues and a cash stamping fee on top of whatever the sponsor charged. Our comparison of eVisas and visas on arrival explains why we steer most clients away from this option.

Option 3: Embassy visa (sticker or loose-leaf)

The Embassy of Vietnam in Washington still issues visas in person or by mail (embassy application instructions). You submit the application form, your passport (original for a sticker visa, a copy of the ID page for a loose-leaf visa), one 2x2 photo, and the fee; the embassy may ask for additional documents and reserves the right to refuse without explanation. This route matters when:

• you need a visa type the eVisa does not cover, such as certain long-term work, study, or investor categories;
• you want a physical visa in the passport for a corporate travel file or a multi-country itinerary;
• your eVisa was refused and you need a consular officer to review the case.

Fees vary by visa type and validity and are set by the embassy's schedule; check the current table before mailing a money order.

Side-by-side

• Government cost: eVisa $25–$50 • Visa on arrival: sponsor fee plus airport stamping fee • Embassy: per current fee schedule.
• Time to obtain: eVisa ~3 working days (allow a week) • VOA letter 2–5 days plus airport queue • Embassy typically 5 or more business days plus mail.
• Entry points: eVisa: designated airports, land, and sea gates • VOA: international airports only • Embassy: any port.
• Maximum stay: eVisa up to 90 days • VOA per letter • Embassy per visa type.

Passport and application rules that apply to all three

• Passport validity: at least six months beyond your arrival date and two blank pages, per the embassy's stated requirement.
• Exact-match data: the eVisa is tied to your passport number and the entry gate you selected. Arriving at a different airport than the one on the eVisa can mean refusal; a new passport means a new visa.
• Photos: plain white background, no glasses. Our photo service produces compliant digital and print versions.
• Only the official portal. evisa.gov.vn is the sole issuer of the eVisa. Look-alike sites resell the same application at several times the fee.

Which should you choose?

For tourism, family visits, and short business trips: the multiple-entry eVisa at US$50, applied for at least two weeks before departure. Choose the embassy visa only for categories or validity periods the eVisa does not offer. Treat visa on arrival as a fallback rather than a plan. Vietnam is one of the destinations we highlighted in our review of emerging eVisa destinations for 2026, and our Vietnam visa page shows current options for U.S. citizens with a pre-submission document check.

Frequently asked questions

Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. The United States is not on Vietnam's visa-exemption list, so Americans need an eVisa, a visa on arrival with a pre-approval letter, or an embassy visa for any visit.

How much is the Vietnam eVisa?

US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, paid on evisa.gov.vn. The fee is not refunded if the application is refused.

How long does the Vietnam eVisa take?

The Immigration Department targets three working days after payment. Apply at least two weeks ahead to absorb holidays and any request for corrections.

Can I get a Vietnam visa on arrival without an approval letter?

No. Visa on arrival at Vietnamese airports requires a pre-arranged approval letter from a Vietnam-based sponsor. Without it you will not be allowed to board.

Can I extend a Vietnam eVisa?

Extensions are limited and handled case by case by the Immigration Department in Vietnam. If you may stay longer than 90 days, apply for the appropriate embassy visa instead.

Sources and last reviewed

Last reviewed: September 4, 2026. Fees, validity periods, and processing times in this guide come from the official sources below and were current on that date. Always confirm against the issuing authority before you pay a government fee.

• Vietnam National Electronic Visa System (Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security)
• Embassy of Vietnam in the United States — Visa application process
• Embassy of Vietnam in the United States — Apply for a visa in person or by mail

About Peninsula Visa

Peninsula Visa is a San Francisco-based immigration and travel documentation services company founded in 1975. With over five decades of experience, Peninsula Visa provides comprehensive visa processing, passport services, OCI applications, Global Entry assistance, apostille authentication, and more to individuals, families, and businesses across the United States. Peninsula Visa is known for its high approval rates, expert guidance, and end-to-end client support.

Government fees, validity periods, and processing times are set by the issuing authorities and change without notice. This guide is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with the official source before you travel.