In this article, we will explain the appropriate time to apply for a visa, details the time you receive the approval letter in each registration method, and visa dates for you.

Visa validity period and duration of stay

Visa dates -visa duration is the time from entering Vietnam into the international border gate until you leave Vietnam. You can not arrive Vietnam before your visa begins.

So, the arrival date you provide should be the earliest you plan to arrive, but you can arrive after that date. The departure date you provide will be the last day you are permitted to be in the country unless you get a Vietnamese visa extension.

For example, if you apply for a one-month visa and submit your arrival date as April 23th, 2019, your Approval Letter will be valid from May 22th, 2019. That means you are able to enter the country during that month, but must leave on May 22th.

Suggest post: Vietnam entry and exit form - application for a Vietnamese visa (N1)

Types of visa by Vietnamese visa period

Depending on the type of visa, there are different durations:

• For a single entry visa, tourists can enter Vietnam once and then leave without returning again during the registered period.
• A multiple entry visa allows you to enter Vietnam several times during the period while your visa is valid. For example, you can apply for this multiple entry visa in case you want to enter Cambodia, Laos or any other countries from Vietnam and then re-enter without applying for anymore Vietnamese visa.

Time to receive a Vietnam visa with each registration method

Option 1: Vietnamese visa on arrival

You apply for a visa through the portal to register online and receive a letter of approval via mail. When you arrive at Vietnam International Airport, you present your passport and approval letter to the customs officer, then go to Landing visa counter to get a Visa stamp.

Currently we offer 3 levels of time you get Approval letter depending on your needs: 

• Normal service: you receive approval letter after 1-2 working days.
• Urgent services: we will email approval in 4-8 working hours.
• Super urgent service: in case you have a visa problem that has been registered, you are at an international border gate, you have an unexpected job needing to go to Vietnam immediately, your 30-minute visa service is your savior.

Option 2: Vietnam Evisa

You apply for a Vietnamese visa to register online with 2 types of fee: visa service fee and visa stamping fee, submit scanned your images and passport data. Then you print Evisa from the email we send you. When coming to Vietnam international border gate, you present passport and Evisa to customs officers without waiting for Vietnamese visa stamp.

• With ormal service, you get Evisa after applying 3 business days.
• With urgent services, we will email Evisa within 2 busines days.

Option 3: Vietnames visa at Embassy/ Consulate

You can go directly to the Embassy to apply for a visa or send necessary documents by post (including your original passport). Vietnamese visas will be sent home for you after 5-7 business days.

How soon before the travel date should you apply for Vietnamese visa?

There are some people who misunderstand that the visa period begins at the time of applying for a visa, or from the time they receive the approval letter. Therefore, people often apply for aVietnamese visa before arriving about 2-4 days. That is completely wrong. When applying for a visa at the registration page, there will be an item for you to provide as "Arrival date", the valid visa period starts from the date of entry into Vietnam, so you can apply Vietnamese visa any time before entry date.

For planned trips, people usually apply for a Vietnamese visa after booking their flights, usually 2-3 months before departure. If you suspect your plan may change, you should apply for a visa 1-2 weeks in advance because we cannot change any information or refund if the letter approval has been issued and sent to you already.

Now, you can rest assured to apply for a visa if you have a plan to go to Vietnam Don't miss our discount programs, the promotion duration applies to the registration time and the visa duration is valid from the day you arrived. Just apply Vietnamese visa in the promotion duration, you will get the cheapest visa fee no matter what time you enter Vietnam (no need to enter vietnam in the promotion period, you still receive the offer). Follow our promotions at Promotion or fanpage of vietgreenvisa.com

Notes:

• Visa on arrival is available for Air travelers. Those arriving by land or cruise are required to contact the local Vietnam embassy to get a full Vietnam visa before departure.
• Visa on arrival must be picked up at Vietnam airports after landing. See detailed visa on arrival procedures at Vietnam airports.
• To fasten and smooth out your process of getting visa stamped at Vietnam airports; consider using our Airport services here.