Everything foreign travelers need to enter Vietnam in 2026: required documents, the digital arrival card, health screening rules, the new immigration law — and the misconceptions that cost people real money. Cross-checked against the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Three layers apply to most foreign travelers. Missing any one of them can get you turned away at the border.
You must fall into one of two categories:
This is what lets you in.
File online within 72 hours before arrival, get a QR code, show it at immigration.
In use at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh.
This is NOT a visa — it's an electronic arrival declaration.
Valid at least 6 months from arrival, with at least 2 blank pages.
Carry it when travelling inside Vietnam — not carrying ID is itself finable.
It replaces the paper form at the airport. Free, filed online before you fly. Official portal: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| When to file | Within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival — not earlier |
| Cost | Free |
| Airports covered | Tan Son Nhat · Noi Bai · Da Nang · Phu Quoc · Cam Ranh (Nha Trang) |
| Who must file | One QR per person, children included |
Short answer: right now, no. Decree 165/2026 (effective 1 Jul 2026) only sets up a framework — many outlets reported it incorrectly.
Updates the legal framework for entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners.
Valid up to 5 years.
From 1 June 2026, many procedures run through organizational VNeID accounts:
The 90-day E-Visa is open to all nationalities, single- and multiple-entry.
More checkpoints accept e-visas under Resolution 389/NQ-CP.
| Symbol | For |
|---|---|
| DL | Tourism |
| EV | E-Visa (up to 90 days) |
| LĐ1 / LĐ2 | Work (LĐ1: no work permit · LĐ2: work permit required) |
| ĐT1–ĐT4 | Investors, tiered by capital |
| DN1 / DN2 | Working with enterprises in Vietnam |
| TT | Family members |
| VR | Visiting relatives / other |
| UĐ1 / UĐ2 | Digital-tech talent & family (up to 5 years) |
A shortened list; the law includes other symbols (NG, PV, LS…).
Each of the six below regularly leads to refused entry, a lost fee, or a fine.
The digital arrival card (QR) means I don't need a visa
These are two completely separate steps.
I'm already in Vietnam — I'll just apply for an e-visa online
The system detects you're inside the country and the application is almost certain to be refused — and the fee is non-refundable.
A health declaration is mandatory for everyone from 1 July 2026
On 30 June 2026 the Ministry of Health issued a correction: Decree 165/2026 only creates a standby framework.
With a 45-day exemption I can just extend in-country
A visa exemption cannot be extended in-country.
Any border crossing accepts an e-visa
It only works at the exact checkpoint you declared, and it must be on the published list.
A few days' overstay is fine — I'll pay at the airport
Overstaying by one day is already a violation. From 16 days, deportation can apply (Decree 282/2025).
An electronic visa from the Immigration Department, valid up to 90 days, single- or multiple-entry, open to all nationalities. Four steps on the official portal: upload photos → fill the form → pay → receive the PDF. The fee is USD 25 (single) / USD 50 (multiple) and is non-refundable even if refused. Processing usually takes 3–5 working days, but the official window runs up to 15 working days.
Many nationalities enter on just a passport. The length of stay depends on your nationality.
| Tier | Length | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 45 days | Largest group | Russia · South Korea · Japan · UK · France · Germany · Italy · Spain · Nordics + 12 EU countries (Res. 229/NQ-CP) |
| 30 days | ASEAN & others | Thailand · Malaysia · Singapore · Indonesia · Laos · Cambodia |
| Shorter | 21 / 14 days | Philippines (21) · Brunei (14) |
| Phu Quoc | 30 days | Any nationality arriving directly (conditions apply) |
Since 15 Dec 2025, Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP splits overstay periods into finer brackets — the longer you overstay, the faster the fine climbs.
| Length of overstay | Fine (individual) | Additional risk |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 days | VND 500,000 – 2,000,000 | Usually an administrative fine only |
| 16 – 30 days | VND 5,000,000 – 10,000,000 | ⚠️ Deportation possible |
| 90 – under 180 days | VND 20,000,000 – 25,000,000 | ⚠️ High deportation risk |
Sponsoring organizations face double the individual fine. The exact penalty is decided by the competent authorities.
While your stay is still valid, refresh it with a new 90-day E-Visa — ViEntry checks your details and photo before submission so it isn't refused.
An e-visa only works at published international checkpoints — and only at the one you declared.
As published by the Immigration Department; names and numbers can change. Choosing the wrong one means refusal at the border.
Book earlier, save more — taken straight off the tour price.
Reference price — the licensed tour operator sets the final price. The discount follows each trip’s booking order.
