Vietnam eVisa Processing Time (2026): Standard vs Express
How long does a Vietnam eVisa take? Officially, up to 3 working days for a complete, paid application — weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count — and in practice you should plan for 3–5 working days. Faster assisted tiers exist: a private agent such as InTimeVisa offers 2 working days, 1 working day and same-day 2–4 hours. Read on for what drives the real timeline, what each tier costs, when delays happen, and how to get yours cleared on time.
The short answer
Officially, the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) has up to 3 working days to process a complete, paid eVisa application, and weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count. (51/2019/QH14) In practice, plan for 3–5 working days on the official portal evisa.gov.vn, because the clock starts only once the file is complete and the fee has cleared. (US Department of State — checked 2026-10-11)
Faster assisted tiers exist. A private agent such as InTimeVisa can prepare and lodge your file on an assisted track: 2 working days, 1 working day or same-day 2–4 hours, each defined by an order cut-off in Vietnam time (ICT). The table below shows InTimeVisa's own all-in prices — private service prices, not government fees — next to the do-it-yourself cost; cut-offs are on our homepage, and the same-day tiers are also on our urgent eVisa page.
Both routes lead to the same document: the official 90-day eVisa (single or multiple entry) issued by the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) through the portal at evisa.gov.vn. A faster tier does not change the visa you receive, and it buys a later order cut-off in the Vietnam working day — not a guarantee of how long the authority takes.
| Option | Single entry | Multiple entry | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| InTimeVisa: 2 working days | US$80 | US$105 | All-in; includes the US$25 / US$50 government fee |
| InTimeVisa: 1 working day | US$90 | US$115 | All-in; includes the US$25 / US$50 government fee |
| InTimeVisa: same day, 2–4 hours | US$210 | US$265 | All-in; includes the US$25 / US$50 government fee |
| Official portal, DIY (evisa.gov.vn) | US$25 | US$50 | Government fee only, no service fee; officially up to 3 working days (plan 3–5) |
Why standard is "about 3–5 working days"
The statutory basis is the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law 47/2014/QH13), whose eVisa provisions were added by Law 51/2019/QH14 (51/2019/QH14): up to 3 working days for a complete, paid application. In practice, most applicants plan for 3–5 working days because the clock only starts once the file is genuinely complete and the fee has cleared, and the authority processes a queue.
"Working days" also excludes weekends and Vietnamese public holidays, so a Friday submission effectively lands on the following week. When you count backwards from your flight, count working days, not calendar days.
What makes real processing time vary
Two things move the timeline most: how busy the authority is, and whether your file is clean. During peak travel seasons and around holidays, volumes rise and standard results can drift toward the slower end.
An incomplete or inconsistent file is the most common cause of delay, because it can reset the clock:
- A blurred or cropped passport bio-page scan
- A portrait photo that fails the spec (glasses, non-white background, not facing forward)
- Names or dates that do not match the passport exactly
- A chosen port of entry that is not on the approved eVisa list
Express and same-day options
If your departure is near, an assisted tier compresses preparation and lodging into a shorter window. Each tier is defined by a cut-off in Vietnam time (ICT): the same-day 2–4 hours tier accepts a complete file until and targets delivery by that working day; the 1 working day tier closes at and also targets ; the 2 working days tier closes at and targets the next working day.
This is how the 2–4 hours tier fits with the fact that we do not promise an exact number of hours: the window is our service target once we have accepted and lodged your complete file, but the eVisa is issued by the Immigration Department, and genuine turnaround depends on its workload at that moment. A faster tier buys a later order cut-off, not guaranteed processing time. We confirm what is realistic before you pay, and the tiers are also listed on our urgent eVisa page.
How to avoid delays
Most delays are preventable. Before you submit, get these right and your file moves through cleanly:
- Complete documents: a sharp passport bio-page scan and a compliant portrait photo
- Details that match your passport exactly — full name, date of birth, passport number
- A valid port of entry: the eVisa works only at approved gates (about 83 under Resolution 389/NQ-CP, including the main China land gates Mong Cai, Huu Nghi and Lao Cai)
- Realistic dates: apply early enough that even the slower end of standard clears before you travel
- Pay promptly — the processing clock starts only after payment
Flying soon: check your nationality and existing application
Check the existing nationality guides below and confirm check-in documents with your airline. If you have already applied on evisa.gov.vn, request an assessment at Request assessment of an existing application.
- Vietnam eVisa for US citizens
- Vietnam eVisa for Chinese Citizens
- Vietnam visa for Indians: Vietnam eVisa fees, requirements and how to apply
- Vietnam eVisa for Australian Citizens: The 2026 Guide
- Vietnam eVisa for New Zealand citizens: fees, requirements and how to apply
- Vietnam eVisa for Canadian citizens: fees, requirements and how to apply
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Vietnam eVisa take officially?
Up to 3 working days for a complete, paid application under Law 47/2014/QH13 as amended by Law 51/2019/QH14, with weekends and Vietnamese public holidays not counted. (51/2019/QH14) In practice, plan for 3–5 working days. (US Department of State — checked 2026-10-11)
Do weekends and Vietnamese public holidays count?
No. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays, so a Friday submission effectively starts the following week. Count working days, not calendar days, back from your flight.
Is the same-day 2–4 hours tier guaranteed?
No. It is InTimeVisa's service window, not a government promise: a complete file accepted by on a Vietnam working day targets delivery by that day. The Immigration Department issues the eVisa, so we do not promise an exact number of hours for its part.
What do the faster tiers cost?
InTimeVisa's all-in prices are US$80 single / US$105 multiple entry for 2 working days, US$90 / US$115 for 1 working day and US$210 / US$265 for same-day 2–4 hours, each including the US$25 / US$50 government fee. Applying yourself on evisa.gov.vn costs the government fee only.
Flying soon and need it fast?
We prepare, lodge and track your application; the issuing authority decides the outcome and final timing. InTimeVisa is a private consulting firm, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with the Vietnamese government.