Vietnam Transit Visa

In a word, yes. Indian passport holders are eligible for a Vietnam transit visa on arrival (VOA) that they can get at the port of entry in Vietnam. However, to procure this visa, travellers must present the right documents and complete the necessary formalities.

For this, it is important to know the requirements to avail of the VOA facility. But before we explore this, let’s know what a transit visa in Vietnam means.

Vietnam does not have the concept of a “transit visa” and instead offers e-visa to its travellers prior to their arrival in the country. Essentially, then, when we say transit visa, we basically mean e-visa.

If you have a layover in Vietnam, you may need a Ho Chi Minh City transit visa or, in other words, a Vietnam transit visa that will allow you to transit safely via Vietnam on your way to your next destination. Let’s explore the scenarios in which you would and would not require a Vietnam transit visa.

Here’s When You Will Need a Vietnam Transit Visa:

• You have a layover in Vietnam that is for longer than 24 hours

• If, for your subsequent flight, you have to leave the international transit area

• If you intend to explore Vietnam during your transit

Here’s When You Will Not Need a Vietnam Transit Visa:

• If you have an exemption from Vietnam for a visa

• If your connecting flight to your third destination is within 24 hours

• If you don’t intend to leave the transit area at the Vietnam airport

As we learned from the above, Indian passport holders will need a transit visa for Vietnam if their layover exceeds 24 hours. However, because there is no specific transit visa for Vietnam, travellers have to apply for an e-visa instead. Here are the details about the Ho Chi Minh city transit visa, i.e., the e-Visa for Vietnam:

Indian passport holders have several ways of applying for a visa in Vietnam. It can be done via authorised agents or through the official government portal, and as mentioned earlier, individuals can also apply for the visa on arrival facility. Let’s take a look at how travellers can apply for their visas for Vietnam.

Vietnam Transit Visa Apply Online:

Indian passport holders can apply for the Vietnam visa the same way they would apply for the e-Visa for Vietnam. Those looking for a “Vietnam transit visa apply online” here’s the process for applying via the government portal:

Step 1: Visit the official e-Visa portal of Vietnam.

Step 2: Upload all the essential documents as asked on the website. This includes scanned copies of the ID page of your passport and duly filled application form. Ensure that under the “purpose of travel” section, you write “transit.”

Step 3: In the next step, you will be asked to pay the Vietnam transit visa cost for Indian applicants via your preferred mode of payment.

Step 4: Finally, submit your visa application and wait for the application to be processed.

Vietnam Transit Visa-On-Arrival:

When applying for the VOA facility, Indian applicants must first procure a letter of approval from India. To get this letter, visit an authorised agency that can get the letter on behalf of the traveller. For this, applicants will have to share their personal information, pay the fee, and finally receive the approval letter. Once you have the approval letter from India, here are the steps that will follow:

Step 1: To avail of the VOA facility, there are only certain airports where travellers are permitted.

Step 2: Once you get off the flight, head straight to the immigration counter at the airport. Keep all the essential documents ready before heading to immigration. This includes your visa application form, passport, approval letter from India, visa fees in cash, and photographs.

Step 3: Wait for your turn in the queue and submit the relevant documents to the immigration counter. Here, the immigration officer will verify your documents.

Step 4: Once your documents have been verified, the immigration officer will stamp your passport with the visa and the entry stamp.

Getting all the essential documents ensures that you have a seamless experience when applying for the visa, whether it is an online application or through the VOA facility. Here are all the essential documents you will require for the Vietnam e-visa:

Passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your intended date of travel. You will need a scanned copy of the ID page of your passport.

Passport photo: There are certain requirements that travellers must ensure for their passport photo to be visa-approved. The details are: size: 4 cm x 6 cm, and the photos must be coloured and printed on professional photo paper. The photos must also be taken within the last six months.

Onward flight ticket: You will need to show your confirmed flight tickets to the third destination

Proof of stay: You will need to show confirmed hotel reservations. If you are staying with friends or family, you will need to provide an invitation letter.

Readying all the aforementioned transit in Vietnam requirements will ensure that you have a smooth visa process.

The cost of a transit visa for Vietnam is USD 25 for Indian nationals. This roughly comes up to around INR 2080. It is important to note that this fee is not refundable even if the visa is rejected. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared for the visa application to prevent any rejections.

The processing time for your Vietnam visa depends on the kind of visa you are applying for and the application method chosen. The electronic visa, a.k.a the Vietnam e-visa that allows you to stay in the country for 30 days exclusively for the purpose of tourism, takes three days to be processed. There are certain factors that can influence this processing time:

Not filling out the visa form completely

Missing documents

False or incorrect information in the application

Once you disembark from your flight, head to the immigration desk. Hand them all the essential documents along with your flight tickets to the third destination, your Vietnam transit visa, etc.

After you submit all your documents, the immigration officer will verify them

Then, depending on when you have your subsequent flight, you can either head to the transit lounge and wait or you can relax at a hotel. However, if you choose the latter, ensure that you are back at the airport in time for your next flight.

It is always exciting to plan a trip abroad. However, to ensure you have an enjoyable trip that is free from worries and hurdles, you must invest in overseas travel insurance. This is because a trip abroad is a significant financial investment and if something were to go awry, it can not only meddle with your travel plans but also burn a hole in your pocket. So, travel insurance can help you secure your trip.

Whether it is a delayed flight, misplaced luggage, personal liabilities, accidental injuries, or other such unpleasant scenarios, travelling insurance can act as your companion in a strange country so you have something to rely on. You can even customise your policy to accommodate your itinerary.

For instance, you can get travel insurance for Vietnam and get coverage for things that are included in your itinerary.

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• There is no transit visa for Vietnam so travellers instead have to apply for an e-visa for Vietnam

• You will need a visa for Vietnam if your layover is for longer than 24 hours

• There is also a visa-on-arrival facility in Vietnam for the purpose of tourism and business so eligible persons can use the tourist VOA for transiting purposes

• Currently, the visa validity for Vietnam is 30 days for Indian nationals. However, starting August 15, the validity would be extended to 90 days.

• Once your Vietnam e-visa is approved, you will receive a digital copy of the same so no passport stamp would be needed.

• Travellers are advised to apply for a transit visa for Vietnam at least one week in advance so contingencies can be taken care of without interrupting your trip

Information last updated Jan 24. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.