Visa Guide: Can US Citizens Travel To Vietnam Without Visa?

• August 28,2023
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"Can US citizens travel to Vietnam without visa?" if you are citizens of this nation. Follow this article to find a comprehensive answer. We can let you know all about Vietnam visas for US citizens, including visa requirements and procedures.

VIETNAM VISA EXEMPTION FOR US PASSPORT HOLDERS

Vietnamese governments enacted the Vietnam visa exemption (also known as the visa waiver or visa-free policy) to allow a foreigner to enter and stay in Vietnam for a set length of time. A special regulation of this policy is that visitors can enter this nation without completing the visa procedures. It means that a certain amount of money can be saved for other travel activities. 

To boost the recovery of tourism, the Vietnamese government introduced the visa exemption

Currently, 25 nations worldwide will be able to travel to Vietnam without a visa beginning in 2023. According to this policy, foreigners only need a valid passport with at least two blank pages for stamping to enter Vietnam. So can US citizens enter Vietnam without a visa?. The complete list of visa-free nations is shown below for your reference. 

List of countries with free entry to Vietnam

Special notices

Can US citizens visit Vietnam without a visa? Normally, holders of US passports are not eligible for the 15-day visa exemption. As a result, citizens must apply for Vietnam visa to visit Vietnam legally. However, there are several special circumstances allowing them to visit Vietnam without getting a visa. 

• Foreign passports are exempt from visa requirements for up to 30 days on Phu Quoc Island. They are still eligible for the exemption if they transit via other international airports in Vietnam before arriving in Phu Quoc.

• Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) with a valid passport are exempt from visa entry for up to 60 days.

• The 30-day delay between two entries was eliminated on July 1, 2020. As a result, tourists from visa-free nations can enter and depart Vietnam without having to wait 30 days.

• The visa exemption for US nationals, also known as a 5-year visa, is a form of entrance visa provided by Vietnamese authorities to American citizens who have a guarantor in Vietnam. To apply for the 5-year visa exemption, American nationals and guarantors in Vietnam must provide documentation proving their family relationship.

Preparation for the Vietnam visa waiver program

“Can US citizens enter Vietnam without a visa?” is a “go-hunting” topic on the internet now. If US residents meet the following criteria, they are eligible for visa exemption:

• The passport or other international travel document must be valid for at least one year.

• Having a guarantor (a Vietnamese citizen) who is the American applicant's spouse or kid, and the relationship must be confirmed by appropriate documents required in Article 2, Section 1 of Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.

• Not falling under the category of denial of entry or suspension of exit as defined in Article 28 of the Law on Foreigners' Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence in Vietnam, No. 47/2014/QH13.

Visa exemption for US dwellers who are relatives of Vietnamese or Vietnamese Americans requires the following documents:

• Visa application with full details to get a 5-year visa exemption.

• Two 4×6 portrait photos with certain background requirements.

• Original passports or valid travel documents with a 1-year minimum validity.

• Proof of family relationship, such as a spouse, husband, wife, or child of Vietnamese living abroad (submit a certified copy from the original or attach the original for comparison):

• Marriage certificate showing the relationship between husband and wife.

• Birth certificate proving the relationship between two parties.

• Confirmation of the relationship between members of this family (father, mother, sister, children, etc.).

• Decision on foster care.

Vietnamese nationals born in the United States are eligible for a 5-year visa exemption. The following documents are necessary for visa exemption:

• Form for applying for visa exemption for overseas nationals.

• 2 4×6 portrait shots with a white background (1 photo to attach to the application form, 1 photo to leave out).

• Valid international travel documents issued by competent foreign authorities must be valid for at least one year.

Documents supporting visa exemption eligibility (if available), specifically:

• Resumption of Vietnamese nationality decision (certified copy or extract).

• Renunciation of Vietnamese nationality decision (certified copy or extract).

• Renunciation of Vietnamese nationality confirmed.

CAN A US CITIZEN GO TO VIETNAM WITHOUT A VISA?

Vietnam Immigration Law 2023 stipulates many policies to clarify "Can US citizens travel to Vietnam without visa". To be entitled to enter Vietnam, foreigners from the US need to follow many restrictions and requirements. Two vital things that they need to guarantee the best trip in beautiful Vietnam are presented in detail:

Can US citizens travel to Vietnam without visa

• A 6-month validity period is imposed on the Vietnam visa requirements on US passports.

• There must be enough blank pages on US passports to stick the visa stamp.

If visitors find it challenging to get a Vietnam visa, they can utilize the Phu Quoc visa exemption. This is a solution by the Vietnamese government for recovering tourism after the fatal disease. 

VISA TYPES FOR US DWELLERS

American citizens wishing to visit Vietnam must obtain a valid visa before entering the country. US passports are eligible for the following visas:

• Tourism purposes, valid for 30–90 days.

• Visit relatives of Vietnamese nationals who have sponsorship and proof of family links, such as a kid, a spouse, or a parent. The visa is only valid for a year, according to the Vietnam visa requirements for US citizens.

• Business purposes with sponsorship from a corporation authorized to sponsor foreigners entering Vietnam.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A VIETNAM VISA FOR US RESIDENTS

US passport holders have three options for their trips: get an e-visa online, a visa on arrival, or at a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate. Tourist visas for American citizens are typically valid for a maximum of 30 days and up to 90 days for business visas.

How to get Vietnam visas for American citizens

Timelines for visa changes

Currently, visa on arrival is available to US citizens to consider when they wish to register for their trips.

March 2010: Vietnam inaugurated its Consulate General in Houston.

2016: Vietnam offers US citizens one-year multiple-entry visas.

February 2017: Vietnam granted an E-Visa for US passport holders (30 days, one entry).

E-Visa for US residents

The Vietnam E-Visa program accepts American passports with certain requirements. In general, you must fill out an online application form and upload a recent passport-style photo and your passport's biographical page to finalize the identification processing. Then, pay the application fee to continue the visa procedure. The following are the specifics of the E-Visa application process:

• Navigate to the official E-Visa website and select the "E-Visa Issuance" option.

• Click on "personally apply for E-Visa," then fill out the online application form with your full personal information. It is necessary to attach a passport-sized photo and a scanned copy of your passport's biographical page to your visa application.

• Pay the E-Visa charge (US$25) and wait for processing within 3-5 business days.

• Print the E-Visa approval and bring it with you to the airport when you arrive in Vietnam to pass the visa check.

Visa on arrival

US citizens can obtain a visa on arrival by completing the steps below:

• Fill out an online application form with an online visa agency for a pre-approved letter.

• Pay the approval letter cost and allow 2–3 business days.

• Receive an approval letter via email and print it.

• Prepare a Vietnamese visa application form, two 4x6cm passport images, your passport, and the stamping cost in cash.

• When you arrive in Vietnam, provide those documents to obtain a visa stamp.

Registering for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate

Here are some critical actions to take when completing visa formalities offline:

• Foreigners must have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival. Then, access the embassy's website, fill out a visa application form, and attach two passport-sized pictures.

• Pay your visa fee according to Vietnam’s entry requirements.

• Submit your application and wait for visa results in 5 to 7 business days.

• Expats can pick up their visas in person at the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate or have them distributed to visitors by post.

VIETNAM VISA PRICES FOR US DWELLERS 

Many tourists wonder, “Can US citizens travel to Vietnam without visa?”. How to finalize a visa in a straightforward manner?. Vietnam visa fees apply to US passport holders are different from other visa categories. 

Visa on arrival expenses

There will be two sorts of costs for visas on arrival:

• The service fee is the cost of obtaining the Vietnam visa approval letter. It depends on the types of visas you apply for and the processing period.

• The cost of visa stamping is paid at the Vietnam International Airport to have your visa stamped. 

E-visa fees for citizens of the US

A Vietnam E-Visa costs $25 for US citizens (This cost will be reduced if foreigners use our Vietnam visa services). This charge is non-reimbursable and must be paid while submitting an application via credit card online. 

USEFUL WEATHER INFORMATION

One of the main worries for US citizens traveling to Vietnam is the contrast in weather conditions between the US and Vietnam. The United States offers a diverse range of climates due to its diversified topography. Besides, Vietnam has a tropical climate with particular features such as hot and humid summers and cold winters.

• Climate zones: The United States' climate zones vary (especially tropical, subtropical, desert, and arctic climates) as a result of the impacted elements. In Vietnam, on the other hand, a tropical environment with high humidity and constant and relatively hot temperatures takes hold.

• Temperature range: Because of its varied climates, the temperature range in the United States is also greater than that in Vietnam. Temperatures in some sections of the United States can drop to -40°C (-40°F) in winter and reach 50°C (122°F) in summer, whereas in Vietnam, temperatures typically vary from 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F) all year.

• Seasons: The United States has four different seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter), which are identical to those experienced in northern Vietnam. Meanwhile, southern Vietnam has two seasons: rainy (May to October) and dry (November to April). 

• Humidity: Because of the tropical climate, humidity levels in Vietnam range from 70% to 90%. The humidity in the United States is a little bit different from other regions and periods of time in a year.

This article clarifies the concern: "Can US citizens travel to Vietnam without visa? If you are eager to take a trip to Vietnam, be prepared for a comprehensive overview of the Vietnam visa. Prior to departure, you should verify the weather conditions at your specific destinations and pack appropriate clothing. Contact us at +1 315 715 8498 or email support@e-visa-gov.com for more details about visas for US dwellers.

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