Vietnam visa goes electronic for Indians Update 2018

This year has seen a massive shift in policy for Indians wanting to travel abroad with Visa processes being uncomplicated for everyone around the home country. We’ve seen US Global Entry being approved for Indians (albeit it is still a pain to get it!),  UAE, Qatar, and Oman have started to issue Visa on Arrival for Indians. In fact, I had a pretty good experience with UAE Visa on Arrival at Dubai last month myself. Turns out getting a Vietnam Visa will join that list as well.

Vietnam visa goes electronic for Indians 

Earlier this year, Vietnam started a new program where they would issue e-visas directly to visitors from 40 countries. A few days ago, they added another 6 countries and India is one of them. Hence, some key countries for whose passports to which Vietnam now issues e-visas include:

• Canada
• USA
• India
• UAE
• China
• Finland
• Germany
• France

The full list is here. The earlier process involved one to sign up with one of the million Vietnam visas on arrival sponsors online and pay them via credit card and then get a visa issued and waiting for you on arrival at the Vietnamese airport (Ha Noi, for instance). That process involved putting your name on a list which could have put your information at risk of circulation to people who shouldn’t know about it. Look at this from 3 years ago, where my name was on a list along with 11 unknown to me people.

Also, once you arrive in Vietnam, you waited on a crowded window for a sticker visa on your passport for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Fortunately, the new website is a government website (https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/) and issues you a visa directly within 3 working days. You upload a copy of your passport, pay $25 directly and get a visa within 3 working days. The earlier process cost us more than $55 per person, so this is also significantly cheaper.

Bottomline

If you are planning to make a visit to Vietnam, things just got a lot easier and better. It should help you to get a cheaper visa for Vietnam, and explore a wonderful country with tonnes of pho and great Vietnamese iced coffee.