Short answer: if you are of Vietnamese origin and hold a foreign passport, or you are the spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen or of an overseas Vietnamese person, you can apply for a visa exemption certificate. It is valid for up to 5 years and lets you enter many times, with long stays per entry. It is applied for through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (or immigration in Vietnam), not through the eVisa portal, and it takes longer. For a trip soon, the eVisa is the fast option.
Who qualifies
- People of Vietnamese origin living abroad, on a foreign passport.
- Foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens.
- Foreign spouses and children of overseas Vietnamese.
Your passport generally needs at least one year of validity left. The certificate expires at least 6 months before the passport does.
What you usually need
- The application form and two 4×6 cm photos on a white background.
- Your foreign passport.
- Proof of Vietnamese origin (an old Vietnamese passport, ID card or birth certificate), or a marriage or birth certificate linking you to the Vietnamese spouse or parent, plus that person's Vietnamese documents.
Requirements, fees and processing times vary by embassy. Check with the one that covers where you live.
Certificate or eVisa?
| Visa exemption certificate | eVisa | |
|---|---|---|
| Valid for | Up to 5 years | Up to 90 days |
| Entries | Multiple | Single or multiple |
| Apply | Embassy or consulate, with paperwork | Online |
| Time | Days to weeks, depending on the embassy | A few working days, or hours if urgent |
| Best for | Frequent or long visits | A trip coming up soon |
Dual nationals
If you still hold Vietnamese citizenship and a valid Vietnamese passport, you can enter on that passport and need no visa. Enter and leave on the same passport to avoid confusion. If your Vietnamese passport has expired, you'll usually need the certificate or a visa on your foreign passport until it is renewed.
Trip coming up before your certificate is ready?
Get an eVisa on your foreign passport, from a few working days down to hours.
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How long can I stay per entry on the certificate?
Stays per entry are much longer than on a tourist visa, commonly up to 180 days. Confirm the current rule with your embassy.
Can my foreign husband or wife get one?
Yes. Spouses of Vietnamese citizens and of overseas Vietnamese qualify, with a marriage certificate.
Can I apply online?
Some embassies take applications through an online consular system, but you still apply to the embassy, not the eVisa portal.
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.