Vietnam eVisa rejected: why, and what to do next

Short answer: a rejected Vietnam eVisa is not a ban. In most cases something in the application didn't match the passport or the photo wasn't usable. You can't edit or appeal a refused application. You fix the cause and submit a new one, and the government fee ($25 or $50) has to be paid again.

The usual reasons

• Name doesn't match the passport. Surname and given names swapped, a middle name left out, or extra spaces or hyphens. Copy the name from the two machine-readable lines at the bottom of the bio page, not from how you normally write it.
• A typo in the numbers. Passport number, date of birth or passport expiry date.
• Passport too close to expiry. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your entry date.
• Photo problems. Blurred, dark, coloured background, glasses, an old photo, or the passport page uploaded where the portrait should be.
• Passport scan problems. A corner cut off, glare across the text, or a photo of a screen or a photocopy.
• Vague address in Vietnam. "Hanoi" or "Old Quarter" instead of a full street address.
• Immigration history. A previous overstay or problem at a border can lead to refusal. That can't be fixed by changing the form.

Vietnam's eVisa is open to every nationality, so a refusal is not simply "because of your passport". It is almost always one of the points above.

What to do now

1. Put your passport next to the application and compare every field, letter by letter.
2. Check: entry date + 6 months is still before your passport expires.
3. Retake the portrait in daylight against a plain light wall. Rescan the bio page flat, with all four corners and no glare.
4. Use a full hotel address: number, street, ward, city.
5. Submit a new application. It goes back into the normal queue, so allow 3 to 5 working days, or use an urgent option if you fly soon.

Quick answers

Is the government fee refunded after a rejection?

No. Once an application has been submitted, the $25 or $50 fee is not refunded, whatever the outcome.

Can I appeal?

There is no appeal process for eVisas. A new, corrected application is the only route.

Will a rejection stop me getting a visa later?

Not on its own. A refusal for a form or photo problem has no lasting effect. A new, correct application is assessed normally.

Is the rejection reason shown?

Sometimes a short reason appears, often not. Work through the list above. Most refusals come from the first five points.

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.