The Vietnam eVisa is a popular choice for travelers due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and up to 90-day validity. While the application process typically takes only a few minutes, careless errors can lead to application rejection, resulting in wasted money and a cancelled trip.
In this article, drawing on several years of experience assisting Vietnam eVisa applicants, I will outline eight common mistakes.
Vietnam eVisa Common Mistakes
1. Unqualified Passport Photo and Portrait
This is the most frequent reason for eVisa applications to be delayed. Applicants must prepare a recent passport-style photo and portrait. The image should meet these criteria: clear, less than 2MB in size, in JPG or PNG format; good quality; taken within the last six months; plain background; no glasses or tank tops; facing the camera directly (check Vietnam visa photo requirements here). Do not crop the image from your passport. The passport bio page photo must also be of high quality, showing the entire page, including all ICAO lines. When uploading, place the portrait in the first field and the passport data page photo in the second. Uploading both photos to either field can delay approval.
Tip: Prepare the required photos and upload them to the correct fields.
2. Incorrect Personal Information
Providing inaccurate personal details is another common mistake. Applicants often make errors in: last name (surname), date of birth, passport number, passport issue date, passport expiry date. While these fields may auto-populate from your uploaded passport, double-check for accuracy in spelling, order, and format.
- Last names must match the ICAO line and contain no special characters.
- Date fields should be in DD/MM/YYYY format.
- Enter the full passport number as it appears on your passport. Inaccurate information can lead to visa refusal.
3. False Vietnamese Residential Address
The Vietnamese Immigration Department will verify your accommodation details with your host. Providing a false address may result in visa denial.
4. Visa Validity Misunderstanding
A common misconception is that the visa validity begins on the entry date. The visa validity is calculated from the arrival date you specify in your application form. Do not delay your arrival in Vietnam, as visa extensions are often not possible. Plan your travel and flight carefully.
5. Applying from Within Vietnam
You must apply for your eVisa while outside Vietnam. Applying from within Vietnam will result in application rejection. If you need a visa urgently while in Vietnam, consider our Emergency Vietnam eVisa service.
► Check out our Urgent Vietnam eVisa
6. Skipping Children´s Visa Application
If your child´s name is on your passport, include them in the application. If your child has their own passport, they require a separate visa. Applying for a visa for a child without a passport of their own will not permit them to enter Vietnam without a separate visa.
7. Ineffective Online Status Tracking
Applicants frequently wait until their visa is issued before checking the application´s status. Regularly monitor the status of your application via the Vietnam Immigration Department´s website (using the registration code, email, and date of birth). This is necessary to respond to any requests for additional information, preventing delays or visa rejection due to missed requests. Issued eVisas are not automatically emailed.
8. Failing to Double-Check the Issued eVisa
Mistakes can sometimes occur on the visa, even before issuance. If you notice an error on your eVisa before your departure, try to apply for a new eVisa as soon as possible to avoid a denied entry at the airport. If possible, contact the Vietnamese Immigration Department as soon as possible about any error you find on your document. Errors from the Vietnamese Immigration Department are less common.
How to avoid common mistakes with Vietnam eVisa
Avoiding common mistakes with Vietnam’s eVisa application process is essential to ensure a smooth travel experience. Here are some tips to help you:
1. Complete the eVisa Form Carefully
- Check Your Eligibility: Verify that your nationality is on the list of eligible countries on the official Vietnam Immigration Department website.
- Provide Accurate Information: Double-check all information before submission to match your passport exactly.
- Upload Proper Photos: Ensure your passport photo meets the required specifications (white background, full face visible, etc.).
- Select the Correct Entry and Exit Points: Confirm your travel itinerary and select the correct airports, seaports, or land border gates.
- Apply Early: Submit your application at least 7–10 days before your travel date to allow for processing time.
- Verify Payment Completion: Make sure the payment is successful and retain a confirmation receipt.
- Print and Carry Your eVisa: Print a hard copy of your eVisa and carry it with your passport for immigration checks.
2. Use a Reliable Vietnam Visa Service
Using a service like Vietnamvisaembassy.com ensures:
- Accurate information input (name, date of birth, passport details).
- Guidance on visa type and validity.
- Resolution of doubts and questions.
- Application status updates
- Assistance resolving issues.