Avoid Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes: Essential Tips for a Smooth eVisa Application

The Vietnam eVisa (fully known as the Vietnam electronic visa) is the preferred option for most travelers due to its convenience, affordability, and an extended validity of up to 90 days. While the eVisa application process can be completed in just a few minutes, even small mistakes can lead to rejection, resulting in wasted money and a potentially ruined trip to Vietnam.

As experts with years of experience in handling Vietnam eVisa applications, we’ve identified seven common mistakes made by countless applicants who eventually turned to us for help. Let’s dive into these common errors to help you avoid them in your application process.

Common Mistakes with the Vietnam eVisa Application

Unqualified Passport Photo and Portrait

This is by far the most frequent mistake that can cause your eVisa application to get delayed or stuck in the government’s system.

Before you start the eVisa application, it’s essential to have both a passport photo and a recently taken portrait that meet specific requirements. The images must:

• Be clear and under 2MB in size, stored in JPG or PNG format.

For the portrait:

• It must have been taken within the last six months.
• The background should be plain (no patterns or objects).
• No glasses, no tank tops, and your face must be directly facing the camera.
• Avoid cropping the image from your passport, as it will not be accepted.

For the passport bio page photo:

• It must show the entire page, including the full ICAO lines.
• The photo should be of high quality, with all details clearly visible.

When uploading these photos to the application form, ensure that the portrait goes in the first field and the passport bio page photo goes in the second. A common mistake is uploading both portraits or passport page photos, which leads to processing delays and the need for corrections.

Providing Incorrect Personal Information

One of the most common mistakes applicants make when applying for a Vietnam eVisa is entering incorrect personal information. Even minor errors can result in delays, rejection, or complications during your trip.

From our experience, applicants often make mistakes in the following areas:

• Names: The instructions on the Vietnam Immigration portal (https://E-visa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu) can sometimes be unclear. It’s crucial to ensure that the spelling and spacing of your full name match exactly as it appears on the ICAO lines of your passport. You must also provide your full name as shown in your passport. Many applicants mistakenly write incomplete names, which can lead to processing delays or even denial of entry, even if the eVisa is granted.
• Date of Birth: Make sure to enter your date of birth in the correct format (DD/MM/YYYY), rather than the MM/DD/YYYY format, which is commonly used in some countries.
• Passport Number: The full passport number, exactly as it appears in your passport, should be entered without any errors.
• Passport Expiry Date: Enter the precise expiry date of your passport, ensuring it matches what is listed in your passport.

In all cases, the passport details you provide must match letter for letter and number for number. Accuracy is essential to guarantee your entry into Vietnam.

Misunderstanding Visa Validity

Another common misunderstanding is regarding the validity period of the Vietnam eVisa. Some travelers assume that the visa validity begins on the date of their arrival in Vietnam, leading them to arrive close to the visa’s expiry date and, consequently, shortening their stay.

In reality, the eVisa’s validity starts from the arrival date specified in your application form. While you cannot enter Vietnam before this date, you are free to enter on or after it. However, if you delay your entry for too long, the 30-day validity period will pass without you arriving in Vietnam. It’s important to have a clear plan and flight schedule to avoid wasting any days of your visa’s validity.

Applying for a Vietnam eVisa While in Vietnam

It’s important to note that the Vietnam eVisa can only be applied for when you are outside of Vietnam. Many travelers mistakenly submit an eVisa application while already in Vietnam, hoping to do a same-day visa run to extend their stay. However, these applications will be rejected.

Tip: Ensure you submit your eVisa application before entering Vietnam. If you wish to avoid a multi-day visa run, consider using our Emergency Vietnam eVisa service, which can issue a new eVisa quickly so you can return to Vietnam as soon as possible.

Skipping Visa Applications for Accompanying Children

When applying for a Vietnam eVisa, you may notice the field: “Under 14 years old accompanying child(ren) included in your passport (if any).” This only applies if your child’s name is listed on your passport. If your children have their passports, they will need a separate eVisa, just like adults. Some parents are unaware of this, applying for their visa and adding their children’s names, even though the children have their passports.

As a result, when the visa is issued, the child’s name is listed on the parent’s visa, but they don’t appear on the parent’s passport. This means the child doesn’t have a visa and won’t be able to board the flight.

Tracking Your eVisa Application Status Online

Many applicants assume that the eVisa result will automatically be sent to the email provided, as the process is online. Others are simply unaware of the status check feature on the Vietnam Immigration Department’s website. After three working days, you should actively check the status of your application by visiting the website. You’ll need your registration code, email, and date of birth to track the outcome. Due to the high volume of applications, the Immigration Department doesn’t send out emails with issued eVisas.

Failure to Double-Check Information on the eVisa

Mistakes in your eVisa information can happen, whether caused by the applicant or the Vietnam Immigration Department. It’s crucial to carefully check all details once your eVisa is issued. If you spot any errors, apply for a new visa and adjust your flight as soon as possible. This will save you from the costly consequences of being denied at the airport.

While errors from the Immigration Department are rare, it’s still wise to verify all information and contact them immediately if you notice any discrepancies, so they can address the issue before your departure.

Vietnam visa on arrival common mistakes

When applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival, there are a few common mistakes that travelers often make. To help you avoid these issues, we’ve listed some of the most frequent errors:

Not Applying Online in Advance

Some people mistakenly believe they can get a visa directly at the airport in Vietnam without applying online beforehand. This is incorrect. You must apply online for an approval letter before arriving. Only with this letter can you pick up your visa upon arrival at a Vietnam airport.

Visa on Arrival for Land or Sea Entry

Visa on arrival is only valid for air travel. If you are entering Vietnam by land or sea, make sure you have your visa arranged in advance, as you cannot obtain a visa on arrival at border crossings.

Spelling and Typographical Errors

Many travelers make mistakes when filling out the application form, such as entering their full name, passport number, or date of birth incorrectly. While some may think these errors are minor, in some cases, they can lead to your application being rejected by the airline at your departure airport. Double-check that all your details are entered accurately to avoid any issues.

Arrival Date Misunderstanding

Many travelers mistakenly believe that the validity of their visa starts from the day they enter Vietnam. However, this is incorrect. The visa validity begins on the date you provide during the application, not the actual date of entry. Therefore, it’s essential to plan your travel carefully and apply for the visa with the correct intended entry date.

Visa Extension Challenges

Another common misconception is that extending a visa while in Vietnam is an easy process. In reality, visa extensions can be time-consuming and costly. To avoid these hassles, it’s often more convenient and cost-effective to apply for a 3-month visa in advance instead of a 1-month visa, especially if you anticipate needing more time in the country.

How to Avoid Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes

To minimize errors in your Vietnam eVisa application, follow these two key steps:

Be Careful When Completing the eVisa Form

• Double-check your personal information: Ensure that your name, passport details, and other personal data are entered correctly. Even small errors can cause issues with your visa approval.
• Provide accurate travel details: Input accurate information about your trip, including the purpose, entry/exit dates, and the port of arrival. Any inconsistencies could delay or invalidate your application.
• Ensure passport validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry into Vietnam. If it’s close to expiring, consider renewing it before applying for the eVisa.
• Follow photo requirements: Adhere to the photo guidelines (size, background, and quality). Failing to meet these can lead to rejection.
• Review before submission: Carefully review your application before submitting it to catch any potential mistakes. A few extra minutes of review can save you from significant headaches later.

Use a Reliable Vietnam Visa Service

By using a trusted visa service like Vietnam-visa.com, you benefit from:

• Full review of your details (name, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
• Advice on the best visa type and duration based on your travel plans
• Clarification of any uncertainties during the application process
• Regular updates on your application status
• Immediate support if any issues arise

For more detailed information, please contact us for a free consultation through our website.

In addition, we also offer tours in Vietnam to many attractive destinations, from bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to natural wonders such as Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa. We are committed to providing our customers with unique travel experiences and the most dedicated service.