Vietnam is an attractive destination for many Indian citizens for various purposes such as tourism, business or visiting relatives. However, before being able to enter Vietnam, Indian citizens need to complete visa application procedures appropriate to the purpose of the trip. To ensure a smooth trip, it is very important to understand and fully prepare the necessary documents. Below, TrustVisa provides detailed instructions on Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Do Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Indian citizens who want to enter Vietnam are required to apply for a visa, regardless of whether the purpose of the trip is tourism, business or visiting relatives. This is due to the Vietnamese government’s regulations on visa requirements for most countries, including India.
Vietnam offers many types of visas to suit different purposes of entry for foreigners. For Indian citizens, the two most common types of visas are tourist visas and business visas.
Tourist visa
Vietnam tourist visa is for Indian citizens who want to visit and explore the country and people of Vietnam. This type of visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days and allows only one entry. This means that once an Indian citizen leaves Vietnam, the visa will no longer be valid, and if they want to return, they will need to apply for a new visa.
Tourist visas are ideal for short-term trips and do not require the entrant to conduct any business activities in Vietnam during their stay. If after 30 days the citizen wants to continue staying, they can apply for a visa extension through the competent authorities in Vietnam.
Business visa
In case an Indian citizen intends to visit Vietnam for work, business cooperation or to participate in commercial projects, a business visa is the appropriate visa type. This visa is longer than a tourist visa, up to 90 days, and is flexible with single or multiple entry options.
The choice of a business visa depends on the duration and business needs of the entrant. If you plan to enter and exit Vietnam many times within a certain period of time, choosing a multiple-entry visa will save time and effort as you do not need to reapply for a visa each time you re-enter.
In addition to these two popular visa types, Vietnam also offers a number of other visa types based on the purpose of entry such as transit visas, and long-term work visas suitable for each specific subject. However, for the majority of Indian citizens, tourist and business visas are the two most popular options for short-term trips to Vietnam.
In case Indian citizens do not need a visa to come to Vietnam
Although Indian citizens are normally required to apply for a visa upon entry into Vietnam, there are some exceptions where they do not need to apply for a visa before arrival. Below are details of the cases where Indian citizens do not need to apply for a visa upon entry into Vietnam.
Possess a valid temporary residence card
Indian citizens who have been granted a temporary residence card in Vietnam can enter the country without a visa if the card is still valid. Temporary residence cards are usually granted to foreigners who work, live long-term or have relationships such as marriage with Vietnamese citizens. This makes it more convenient for them to travel and live without having to apply for multiple visas. The important condition is that the temporary residence card must be valid upon entry.
Valid 5 year visa exemption certificate
Another case where Indian citizens do not need to apply for a visa is when they have a 5-year Visa Exemption Certificate. This visa exemption is granted to people who have special relationships with Vietnam, such as being spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens. However, even with a Visa Exemption Certificate, Indian citizens should still note that each entry is usually limited to a maximum stay of 180 days, and they must then exit the country before returning.
Possess a valid APEC card
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) card is a special travel card for business people of member countries in the region. If Indian citizens possess a valid and valid APEC card, they can enter Vietnam without a visa. This card allows travel between APEC member countries for business and trade purposes, saving time and entry procedures.
Direct entry to Phu Quoc and stay for no more than 30 days
One special condition that the Vietnamese government applies is a visa exemption policy for international visitors entering Phu Quoc – Vietnam’s largest island, located in Kien Giang province. Under this policy, Indian citizens can enter Phu Quoc without a visa if they enter directly (usually via international flights) and stay on the island for no more than 30 days. After this period, if visitors want to travel to other locations in Vietnam or stay longer, they will need to apply for a visa.
What are the conditions for Indians to apply for a Vietnam visa?
Applying for a visa is an important step for Indian citizens to legally enter Vietnam for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives, or other activities. To ensure that the visa application is accepted, Indian citizens need to meet certain specific conditions prescribed by the Vietnamese government. Below are the important conditions that Indians must comply with when applying for a Vietnam visa.
Valid passport, valid for at least 6 months
One of the most important requirements for applying for a Vietnam visa is that the passport of an Indian citizen must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry into Vietnam. This is to ensure that the passport is valid for the entire duration of the stay in Vietnam. In addition, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages to accommodate visas and immigration stamps.
Not banned from entering Vietnam
Another important condition is that the Indian citizen is not on the list of people banned from entering Vietnam. The Vietnamese government may ban entry for individuals who have violated the law or immigration regulations in the past, or whose activities are considered to be harmful to national security or public order.
Indian citizens need to ensure that they are not on the list of people banned from entering Vietnam for any reason before applying for a visa. Entry bans are usually applied to cases where there is a history of violating the law or having acted in a non-compliant manner during previous visits.
Being outside Vietnam when applying for a visa
The final condition is that the Indian citizen must be outside Vietnam when applying for the visa. This provision is to ensure that visa applicants do not take advantage of short-term visas to change the purpose of their stay without following the relevant legal procedures.
Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens
Indian citizens have many options when applying for a Vietnam visa, including applying directly at diplomatic missions, applying online via the e-visa system, or applying for a visa on arrival. Depending on the purpose of the trip such as tourism, business, or transit, Indian citizens can choose the form that best suits their needs. Below are Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens:
Apply for visa at Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in India
This is the traditional and popular method for Indian citizens who want to apply for a Vietnam visa for various purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives or studying. This process requires the applicant to go directly to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in India and follow the following steps:
- Prepare the necessary documents: Indian citizens need to prepare a valid passport (at least 6 months), 02 passport-sized photos, and a completed visa application form. In addition, some cases may require additional supporting documents such as a business invitation letter, proof of round-trip air ticket booking or hotel reservation.
- Pay the fee and process the application: After submitting the application and visa fee, the applicant can choose to receive the visa by post or come directly to the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate after receiving the result notification. The application processing time usually lasts from a few days to a week.
Address of Vietnam Embassy in India:
- Mumbai: Unit 805, 8th Floor, Powai Plaza, Hiranandani Gardens, Central Avenue, Powai.
- New Delhi: 20 Kautilya Marg, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.
Apply for an electronic visa (e-visa)
An electronic visa (e-visa) is a fast and convenient way to apply for a visa online, suitable for tourism, short-term business, or transit purposes in Vietnam. This procedure is especially suitable for those who want to save time and money by not having to go directly to diplomatic missions. The e-visa application process includes:
- Filling out the online application form: Indian citizens visit the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department and fill in their details, passport details, and travel details.
- Upload required documents: Applicants need to upload a recent passport-sized photograph along with a scanned copy of a valid Indian passport.
- Pay the fee: The e-visa application fee is approximately USD 25 (approximately Rs 2066), and the payment is made online through the system’s payment gateway.
- Receive visa via email: After applying, applicants will receive the visa result via email within 3-5 working days. This visa is valid for a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days.
Apply for Visa on Arrival
This is a popular form of visa application for those who are unable to apply for a visa in advance at a diplomatic mission. However, to use this method, Indian citizens need to obtain a visa approval letter before departure. The steps to apply for a visa on arrival include:
- Contact a visa processing company: The applicant needs to contact a travel agency or visa processing company based in Vietnam to request an approval letter. This letter will be issued within 2-3 working days.
- Present the approval letter at the airport: Upon arrival at an international airport in Vietnam (Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, etc.), the applicant will present the approval letter along with 02 passport-sized photos and a valid passport at the immigration counter.
- Pay the fee and receive the visa: After paying the visa sticker fee, the applicant will receive the visa on the spot and can proceed to enter Vietnam.
Vietnam visa service for Indian citizens
TrustVisa is proud to be a unit specializing in providing visa services and supporting entry into Vietnam for Indian citizens. With 10 years of experience in the visa field, we have helped thousands of customers complete entry procedures quickly, easily and conveniently. The Vietnam visa requirements for Indian citizens is guaranteed to be quick, smooth, and safe. Regardless of the purpose of your trip, whether it is for tourism, business, or visiting relatives, TrustVisa is always ready to accompany you.
TrustVisa supports Indian citizens in applying for a Vietnam visa with a quick and efficient process. You only need to provide basic information and we will handle all the remaining steps, from submitting the application to tracking the status of the application.
In addition to visa and passport support, TrustVisa also provides many other useful services such as support for temporary residence procedures, work permit applications, and legal advice related to immigration and residence issues in Vietnam. Our team of experts is always ready to listen and advise all customer requests.
For more details about our services and processes, please visit the website trustvisa.vn. We are committed to providing you with a professional and reliable service experience, helping you complete all Vietnam immigration procedures in the easiest and most convenient way.
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