When planning an international flight with a stopover in Vietnam, one of the important questions that many passengers often ask is: “Do I need a Vietnam visa for transit?” Understanding the regulations on transit visas will help passengers better prepare for their journey, avoiding unwanted obstacles at the airport. Depending on nationality, stopover time, and transit purpose, transit visa requirements may vary.
What is Vietnam transit visa?
A Vietnam transit visa is a legal document issued to foreigners when they stop at Vietnamese airports during their flight but do not intend to enter Vietnam for a long time. This type of visa is mainly for passengers who have connecting flights and need to stop in Vietnam before continuing to their final destination.
Transit visas are usually short-term, just enough for foreigners to complete the flight transfer process or take advantage of the waiting time to visit. Normally, the duration of this type of visa ranges from 1 to 3 days, depending on the specific requirements of the itinerary and the length of stay at the Vietnamese airport.
Applying for a Vietnam transit visa not only helps passengers comply with legal regulations but also creates conditions for them to explore the beauty of Vietnam while waiting for their flight. For those with extended wait times, this is a great opportunity to experience culture, cuisine, and interesting sights while in transit.
Do I need Vietnam visa for transit?
Do I need Vietnam visa for transit? Depending on the specific situation of each passenger, the requirements for applying for a Vietnam transit visa will be different. Below are the cases that require and do not require a transit visa when stopping in Vietnam.
Do I need Vietnam visa for transit? Cases requiring a Vietnam transit visa:
Staying in Vietnam for more than 24 hours: International passengers who stop over at Vietnamese airports and have a connecting flight waiting time of more than 24 hours will need to apply for a transit visa. This ensures they comply with Vietnam’s immigration regulations when staying for an extended period.
- Leaving the international transit area: If a passenger needs to leave the international transit area of the airport to enter Vietnam, even for a short period, they are required to apply for a transit visa. This may happen when the passenger wants to explore the surrounding areas of the airport or participate in short-term activities in Vietnam while waiting for the next flight.
- Entering to transfer flights or use services outside the transit area: If a passenger needs to enter Vietnam to transfer to another flight or use services outside the transit area (e.g., baggage claim, airport transfer, or use of other airport services), a transit visa is required.
Do I need Vietnam visa for transit? Cases that do not require a Vietnam transit visa:
- Visa exemption when entering Vietnam: If passengers come from countries on the visa exemption list to Vietnam, they will not need to apply for a transit visa.
- Connecting flights within 24 hours and not leaving the transit area: Passengers with connecting flights within 24 hours and not intending to leave the international transit area of the airport will not need to apply for a transit visa. This applies to passengers who only use the airport as an intermediate stopover to transfer flights without entering Vietnam.
- Proof of travel to a third country: Passengers who have evidence of travel to a third country, such as a valid air ticket and visa of that country, will be exempted from a transit visa if the waiting time is short and they do not leave the transit area.
Conditions for transiting Vietnam without a visa:
In cases where a transit visa is not required, passengers still need to meet many important conditions to transit Vietnam without encountering legal obstacles. These conditions include:
- Valid passport or travel document: The passenger’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry or have a valid international travel document.
- Airline ticket to a third country: The passenger must provide evidence of onward travel to a third country, such as a valid air ticket.
- Third-country visa (if required): The passenger must have a valid visa for the country they are visiting unless they are exempt from visa requirements for entry into that country.
Thus, whether “Do I need Vietnam visa for transit?” depends on the passenger’s specific situation, length of stay at the airport, and legal conditions related to the destination country. Passengers need to understand this regulation to best prepare for their journey.
Vietnam Transit Visa Requirements
When international passengers who are not exempt from visas need to transit through Vietnam, applying for a transit visa is a mandatory requirement. To ensure the visa application process goes smoothly, applicants need to prepare all documents and comply with regulations. Below are the specific requirements for applying for a Vietnam transit visa.
Complete the visa application form
Passengers must fill out a transit visa application form. This form requires basic personal information such as full name, nationality, passport number, and transit itinerary information. The application form must be signed by the applicant to ensure its validity.
Passport valid for at least 6 months
Passengers must present their original passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of transit in Vietnam. This regulation is to ensure that transit passengers can continue their journey without facing difficulties related to expired passports.
Photo size 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm
Applicants are required to provide a 4.5cm x 4.5cm portrait photo. The photo must be clearly visible, on a white background, and without covering the face, to ensure that the authorities can easily identify the passenger when conducting a document check.
Third-country airfare and visa
Another mandatory requirement is that passengers must present a flight ticket confirming their journey to a third country. This proves that Vietnam is only a transit point in their journey. Additionally, if the destination is a country that requires a visa, passengers must provide a valid visa for that country.
Additional documents (if required)
In certain cases, applicants may be asked to provide additional documents to support the visa application process. These documents may include financial evidence, such as bank statements or proof of income, to ensure that the traveler has sufficient funds to cover their travel expenses. Documents relating to the purpose of the trip or a letter of invitation from a third-country partner may also be required.
Instructions for applying for a Vietnam transit visa
If you are planning to transit through Vietnam and need to apply for a transit visa, there are several ways for you to do so. Below is a detailed guide on how to apply for a Vietnam transit visa, including applying at the Embassy, online, or at the airport upon arrival.
Apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate
The traditional way to apply for a transit visa is to submit your application directly to the Vietnamese diplomatic mission in the country where you are residing. The steps to apply for a visa at the Embassy/Consulate include:
- Prepare all necessary documents (valid passport, photo, visa application form, air ticket, and third-country visa if required).
- Submit your application in person at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.
- Pay the visa fee. The fee may vary depending on the policy of each diplomatic agency and the country you reside in.
The visa processing at the Embassy/Consulate usually takes from a few days to a week, so you should apply for a visa before your trip to avoid any problems.
Apply for an online visa (E-visa)
For citizens of countries that are allowed to use the e-visa system, you can easily apply for a transit visa online without having to go directly to the Embassy. The steps to apply for an e-visa include:
- Visit the official website of the Vietnamese Government to apply for an e-visa.
- Fill in your personal information, and upload a photo and necessary documents such as passport and flight tickets.
- Pay the visa application fee online, a fixed fee of 25 USD per application.
The e-visa processing time usually takes about 3 working days. Once approved, you will receive an e-visa via email, then just print it out and bring it with you when you come to Vietnam.
Visa on Arrival
If you are flying to Vietnam and do not have time to apply for a visa in advance, you can use the “Visa on Arrival” service. However, this method requires you to prepare some documents before arriving at the Vietnam airport. The steps include:
- Apply for a visa through a third party, such as a visa service company. This company will assist you in obtaining a visa approval letter.
- Once you have the approval letter, you will print it out and bring it with you to the airport in Vietnam.
- At the immigration counter at the airport, you will present the approval letter, your passport and photo, then pay the visa fee and get your visa stamped in your passport.
The fees for the approval letter and airport stamping fee will vary depending on the visa service provider and their specific policies.
Safe transit at major airports
At major airports such as Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang, the transit process is often very professional and safe. When arriving, always follow the signs to the Transit Gate, instead of the Immigration Gate if you do not intend to enter Vietnam.
Adjust the clock to Vietnamese time
A small but useful tip is that you should adjust your watch to Vietnam’s time zone as soon as you arrive at the airport. This helps you keep track of time accurately and avoid the risk of missing your connecting flight. Vietnam’s time zone is GMT+7, and following the correct time will help you manage your schedule better.
Regularly check flight times and numbers
Airports are bustling places and flight times can vary. Regularly check your departure time and flight number on the electronic boards. Keeping up with any changes will help you be more proactive in adjusting your transit plan.
TrustVisa is a unit that provides reputable visa services and supports international tourists in applying for tourist and transit visas in Vietnam. With many years of experience in the visa field, TrustVisa helps customers easily carry out visa application procedures quickly and effectively. In addition, TrustVisa also provides visa extension services, ensuring visitors can conveniently extend their legal stay in Vietnam. In particular, TrustVisa supports airport shuttle service, helping visitors feel secure when they arrive in Vietnam. With a commitment to quality and dedication, TrustVisa provides a smooth travel and transit experience for every passenger.
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