Overseas Vietnamese Visa (VR Symbol) — Vietnam

The Vietnam VR visa is based on an online application you submit directly to the national immigration authority. You apply remotely and request either a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic visa, depending on your travel plans.

The Immigration Department of Vietnam manages the entire process.

What the electronic form is

The VR visa form is an electronic visa application you fill out and submit online to seek entry into Vietnam. There’s no paper form at the start.

You use this form to apply for:

• Single-entry electronic visa
• Multiple-entry electronic visa

The application gathers your personal details and travel information for review by the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh). Once you’ve submitted it, the department reviews your request and decides whether to issue the visa electronically.

The VR visa isn’t the same as other immigration documents:

Don’t mix up the VR visa form with Form Form NA1, which is for other immigration procedures handled by the Immigration Dept.

Who manages the process

The Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) runs the VR visa process. You submit your application directly using their electronic system.

The department:

1. Receives your electronic submission.

2. Checks your eligibility and details.

3. Issues the approved electronic visa, if granted.

No foreign embassy handles the initial electronic filing. The Immigration Dept alone reviews and issues the VR electronic visa.

Who the visa serves

The VR visa is for foreign nationals who want to enter Vietnam using an electronic visa process. You apply remotely, not by dropping off a paper file at a consulate.

This visa is for applicants who:

• Plan short-term entry into Vietnam
• Prefer an online process
• Qualify for an electronic visa instead of visa exemption

If you already qualify for Visa Exemption, you may not need a VR visa. For long-term residence or family-based status, the Family Visa (TT Symbol) or a Permanent Residence Card may fit better.

Choose the VR visa if your aim is temporary entry through the official electronic system managed by the Immigration Dept.

The entire Vietnam VR process is handled online through the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh). The core steps are submitting the electronic application, paying the required fee in VND (₫), and checking your result using your registration details.

Fill out the e-visa application online

Access the official e‑visa portal of the Immigration Dept and fill out the electronic application form. Enter all required personal and passport details exactly as they appear in your travel document.

Prepare your information before you start. Errors can delay your case or cause refusal.

Provide:

• Full name as shown in your passport
• Date of birth
• Passport information
• Registration email address
• Other required fields displayed in the portal

If you previously held a Visa Exemption, Permanent Residence Card, or applied under another category such as the Family Visa (TT Symbol) using Form Form NA1, make sure your current application details match your records.

Submit the form after double-checking every entry. The system will give you a registration code—save it.

Pay fees and await decision

After submitting the online form, pay the e‑visa fee in Vietnamese đồng (₫) through the portal. Fee amounts can change, so check the current figure with the Immigration Dept before paying.

You can’t proceed without payment. Save proof for your records.

At this stage:

1. Submit the completed online application.

2. Pay the required fee in ₫.

3. Save your registration code and confirmation details.

The Immigration Dept will review your application. processing times aren’t fixed here, so check with the Immigration Dept for current timelines.

Check result and print approved e-visa

Check your application status using the E‑visa search function on the portal. Use the exact details from your registration.

Enter:

The system will display your result once a decision is made. If approved, download and print the e‑visa.

Bring the printed copy when traveling to Vietnam. Immigration officers will check it upon arrival.

You must pay the correct visa fee and plan around the defined processing window. The Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) sets the fee schedule and controls adjudication timelines.

Applicable fees

You pay an embassy visa fee when you apply for a Vietnam VR visa through a Vietnamese diplomatic mission. The embassy collects the fee in Vietnamese đồng (₫) per the rate it publishes at the time of application.

The embassy fee for this visa category is fixed by the issuing authority. Confirm the exact ₫ amount directly with the embassy or the Immigration Dept before submitting your Form NA1 application form.

Fees vary depending on:

• Where you apply (embassy vs. in-country processing through the Immigration Dept)
• The visa category (VR versus Family Visa (TT Symbol))
• Whether you qualify for Visa Exemption or hold a Permanent Residence Card

If you already have a valid Visa Exemption certificate or Permanent Residence Card, you may not need to pay a VR visa fee. Always check your status with the Immigration Dept before paying.

Standard processing window

Under standard processing, the Vietnam VR visa takes 5–7 business days to process.

This timeframe applies to routine applications under normal conditions. Business days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

Submit your NA1 form and supporting documents early to avoid travel issues. The Immigration Dept won’t backdate approvals to match your travel date.

Processing time starts only after the authority receives a complete application. Missing documents will delay review.

Variations and verification

processing times vary by visa category and processing location.

Applications lodged through an overseas embassy may move on a different schedule than those filed directly with the Immigration Dept inside Vietnam. A Family Visa (TT Symbol) may also follow a separate review track.

Confirm current timelines directly with:

• The Vietnamese embassy where you apply, or
• The Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh)

The issuing authority provides the only official timeframe, and it can change without notice.

Your VR visa is valid only if the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) approves your application and you follow all entry and travel rules.

It’s important to know how a VR visa differs from Visa Exemption, Family Visa (TT Symbol), or Permanent Residence Card.

Approval is not guaranteed

Submitting a VR visa application doesn’t guarantee approval by the Immigration Dept. You need to meet every eligibility rule and submit accurate documents, including the Form NA1 form if your case calls for it.

Incomplete or inconsistent information can cause delays or outright refusal. The Immigration Dept reviews each file on its own and decides whether to accept or reject.

Before you apply, make sure:

• You fit the VR visa category.
• The NA1 form is complete and signed.
• Supporting documents match your reason for staying.
• All information is consistent everywhere.

The VR visa isn’t the same as a Permanent Residence Card, and it’s also distinct from a Family Visa (TT Symbol) or Visa Exemption.

Wait for official approval before making any plans that rely on your visa.

Follow entry and travel rules

Once you have approval, follow Vietnam’s immigration and travel rules during your stay. The Immigration Dept enforces these requirements.

Enter Vietnam only under the conditions stated in your visa. Don’t engage in activities outside what your visa allows.

Keep these points in mind:

• Enter only after valid approval.
• Use the visa for its approved purpose.
• Comply with immigration controls at entry and exit.
• Keep documents that match your visa type.

If your circumstances change, address it with the Immigration Dept. Don’t assume your current visa remains valid without confirmation.

Breaking entry or travel rules can affect both your current stay and future visa applications.

Consular officers check that your information is accurate and your file is complete. Errors, inconsistencies, or missing details can result in rejection by the Immigration Dept.

Accuracy and consistency of information

Officers look for matching details across your application forms and supporting documents. Your name, passport number, dates, and purpose of stay must be exactly the same everywhere.

Applying for a Family Visa (TT Symbol)? Your relationship details need to match across all documents. The same goes if you’ve had a Visa Exemption or Permanent Residence Card.

Pay particular attention to the Form NA1 form. Incomplete fields, spelling errors, or unclear entries can cause a refusal at the intake stage.

Use this checklist before you submit:

• Full name matches your passport
• Passport number identical on all forms
• Dates (birth, entry, prior stays) are consistent
• Visa category matches your stated purpose

Even minor discrepancies can stop your application before it’s reviewed.

Completeness of submitted materials

The Immigration Dept expects a complete file at submission. Missing pages, unsigned forms, or missing documents can lead to immediate rejection.

Submit all required documents for your visa category. This includes completed forms like NA1 and any materials supporting a Family Visa (TT Symbol) request, if relevant.

Before sending in your file:

1. Check that every required form is included.

2. Make sure all forms are signed where needed.

3. Leave no fields blank unless they truly don’t apply.

Officers won’t fix or fill in your paperwork. Your file needs to be ready from the start.