The official Vietnam visa processing time for an e-visa is 3 working days after you submit the form and pay the fee. Weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count. In practice, most travelers receive their e-visa in 3 to 5 working days, and waits can be longer around Tet (Lunar New Year) and in peak months. So the safe plan is simple: apply 2 to 3 weeks before your flight.
This guide explains how the working days are counted, what slows an application down, the holiday periods to avoid, and what you can do if your trip is close.
Vietnam visa processing time in short (updated November 2026)
- E-visa: 3 working days officially; 3–5 working days is common.
- Visa approval letter (for visa on arrival): usually 2–3 working days through a licensed agency.
- Not counted: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in Vietnam.
- Best time to apply: 2–3 weeks before you travel.
- Urgent trip: check visa-free entry first, then talk to a service about faster options.
Vietnam visa processing time by visa type
Different routes take different amounts of time. The table below compares them, so you can pick the one that fits your dates.
| Route | Official or usual time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption | None | No application if your passport and stay qualify. |
| E-visa on evisa.gov.vn | 3 working days (officially) | Often 3–5 working days; longer in peak periods. |
| E-visa through a service | Depends on the speed you choose | A service checks your form first; the government still decides. |
| Visa approval letter (visa on arrival) | Usually 2–3 working days | Then you collect the visa at the airport. |
| Embassy visa | Varies by embassy | Check the embassy’s own timing and opening days. |
First, check whether you need a visa at all in our list of countries exempted from Vietnam visa. If you do, the 90-day e-visa is the standard choice.
How the 3 working days are counted
The clock starts only when your application is complete and the fee is paid. After that, only working days in Vietnam count. For example, if you pay on a Friday, Day 1 is the following Monday.
Remember that Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT (UTC+7). As a result, a form sent on Friday evening in Europe or America arrives after the office day in Vietnam has ended.
When to apply for a Vietnam visa
Because the Vietnam visa processing time depends on working days and holidays, plan backwards from your flight date.
- 3–4 weeks before travel: check your visa needs and book your first hotel. You need an address in Vietnam for the form.
- 2–3 weeks before travel: apply. You choose the start date of the visa yourself, so applying early does not waste any validity.
- During processing: keep your registration code. You need it, with your email and date of birth, to check the status.
- About 1 week before travel: download and print the e-visa. Then check every letter and number against your passport.
- Within 72 hours of landing: submit the free Digital Arrival Card if your airport uses it.
Holidays that slow down the Vietnam visa processing time
Immigration offices close on public holidays, so applications wait. The longest break is Tet. For example, e-visa applications were not processed from 14 to 22 February 2026. Tet 2027 falls on 6 February 2027, so expect a similar pause around that week.
- New Year’s Day: 1 January.
- Tet (Lunar New Year): about a week, usually in late January or February.
- Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day: the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month (March or April).
- Reunification Day and Labour Day: 30 April and 1 May.
- National Day: 2 September, plus one extra day.
In addition, demand rises from December to March and in July and August. Therefore, add a few extra days if you travel then.
What makes an application take longer
- Photo problems: a portrait with glasses or a busy background often leads to a request for a new image. Read our Vietnam visa photo guide before you upload.
- Typing mistakes: a wrong passport number or name order can lead to refusal, and then the clock starts again.
- Missing address: leave no empty fields for your stay in Vietnam.
- Extra checks: some applications are reviewed by hand, which adds time.
What to do if your trip is very close
First, check whether you are visa-exempt; if so, you need nothing. Next, if you fly into an airport and time is short, a visa approval letter through a licensed agency can sometimes be arranged faster than a standard e-visa. Some services also offer faster e-visa handling. However, no private company can promise the government’s decision, so be careful with any website that guarantees approval.
If your e-visa still shows “processing” a few days before your flight, contact the service you used, or our team through the application page, and keep your registration code ready.
Worked example: planning a Christmas trip
Sam flies from London to Ho Chi Minh City on 20 December and stays 30 days. A UK passport is visa-free for 45 days, so Sam needs no visa. However, his friend Maya holds a US passport. She applies for the e-visa on Monday 30 November. Three working days later, on Thursday 3 December, her e-visa is usually ready. Even if it takes 5 working days, it is ready by Monday 7 December. That still leaves almost two weeks of margin before the flight.
FAQ: Vietnam visa processing time
Can I get a Vietnam e-visa in 24 hours?
The official time is 3 working days. Some services offer faster handling for urgent cases, but results depend on Immigration, so nobody can promise a set time.
Does the Vietnam visa processing time include weekends?
No. Only working days in Vietnam count.
How early can I apply?
You can apply well before travel, because you pick the start date. Two to three weeks ahead is a good balance.
Can I check my status?
Yes. Use the search page on evisa.gov.vn with your registration code, email and date of birth.
Does processing cost extra?
The government fee is US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry. See our Vietnam visa cost guide for every route.
Sources: Vietnam National E-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.vn) instructions; Vietnam Immigration Department notice on Tet 2026 processing; Vietnam public holiday calendar. Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
