Short answer: on the official portal, a Vietnam eVisa usually takes 3 to 5 working days, and longer around public holidays. "Working days" leaves out Saturdays, Sundays and Vietnamese public holidays, so an application submitted on a Thursday afternoon often isn't decided until the middle of the next week. If you need it sooner, urgent services can get it in one working day or a few hours.
How to count working days
Start counting from the first working day after you submit and pay, in Vietnam time (GMT+7). A few examples on the official portal:
| Submitted | Earliest likely result | Safe to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Monday morning | Thursday | Friday or the following Monday |
| Thursday afternoon | Tuesday | Wednesday or Thursday |
| Friday evening | Wednesday | Thursday or Friday |
Because of the time difference, Friday evening in the Americas is already Saturday in Vietnam, and nothing moves until Monday.
When it takes longer
- Tết (Lunar New Year): the biggest slowdown of the year. Offices close for about a week, usually in late January or February. Tết 2027 falls on 6 February. Apply at least three weeks before.
- Other public holidays: 1 January, Hùng Kings' Day (in April), 30 April and 1 May, and National Day on 2 September. When they fall next to a weekend, you can lose three to five days.
- Errors in the application: a photo that doesn't meet the rules or details that don't match the passport can send the file back for correction, or get it refused.
- High season: December and the European summer bring more applications.
Our processing times
Here is what each tier with us takes and costs, government fee included:
| Tier | Result in | Single entry |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 4–6 working days | $48 |
| 3-Day | 3 working days | $88 |
| 2-Day | 2 working days | $98 |
| Next-Day | 1 working day | $108 |
| Same-Day | about 5 hours | $118 |
| Same-Day Plus | about 2.5 hours | $148 |
| Emergency | about 1.5 hours | $178 |
| Weekend | Saturday or Sunday | $258 |
Urgent tiers depend on Vietnam working hours and daily cut-off times. Details are in the urgent eVisa guide, and the fee calculator shows which tiers still fit your entry date.
Rule of thumb: more than two weeks before your flight, the standard route is fine. Less than a week, don't wait on the portal. Less than 48 hours, go urgent straight away.
What "processing" on the portal means
The status stays at "processing" until an officer decides. It does not show progress, and it does not mean something is wrong. If your flight is getting close and the status hasn't changed, read what to do when your eVisa is still processing. You can also check the status yourself with your registration code. See the status check guide.
Short on time?
Tell us your entry date and we will tell you which tier fits, before you pay.
Start application Ask on WhatsAppQuick answers
Is 3 working days guaranteed on the official portal?
No. It is the usual target, not a promise. Plan for five working days, and more around holidays.
Can I apply months in advance?
You can apply well ahead, but the eVisa is valid from the entry date you choose. Applying about 2 to 4 weeks before travel is a comfortable window.
Does processing time depend on nationality?
Mostly no. A small number of nationalities get extra checks, and those applications can take longer. We tell you at the start if yours is one of them.
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.