Short answer: first find out whether you were actually charged. A pending amount is a temporary hold and goes away by itself, usually within 3 to 7 days. A posted or completed charge is real. Then check whether an application exists: if you have a registration code, it does. If you never got one, the payment most likely never went through.
Three checks, in order
- Look for the registration code. Search your email, including spam, for a message from the eVisa portal with a code starting with "E". No code usually means no submitted application.
- Check the status. Enter the code, the email you used and your date of birth in the portal's status search. "Processing" means it is simply still being reviewed. See how to check status.
- Check the email address. A typo in the email means the approval went nowhere. The visa can still be downloaded through the status search.
If you were charged twice
Double charges nearly always come from pressing pay again while the first attempt was still pending. Often one of the two turns out to be a hold that drops off. If both post as real charges and you have two registration codes, you have two applications. Only one needs to be approved.
- Wait 3 to 7 days for holds to clear before doing anything else.
- If you used a service, contact them first. They can see the transactions.
- For the official portal, use its support form and include the codes, amounts, dates and screenshots. Refunds are not guaranteed and are slow.
- A dispute with your bank is the last step. Keep all the evidence together.
Flying soon and still no visa? Don't wait on a refund to sort out your trip. Get a new eVisa on a tier that fits your flight, and chase the refund separately.
Quick answers
How long does a pending hold last?
Usually 3 to 7 days, depending on your bank. If it is still there after about 10 days, call the bank.
Is the fee refunded if my application was processed?
No. A fee for an application that was submitted and processed is not refundable, even if it was refused.
Why was I charged when the page said the payment failed?
Usually it is a hold, not a charge. Check your statement for "pending" before paying again.
This guide is general information. Vietnam visa rules and processing times change — always check the current requirements. evisavietnamexpress.com is a private visa assistance service, not the official government portal.