45-day Visa Exemption and Vietnam E-visa in 2023-2024

As of August 15, 2023, nationals from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus can enjoy a 45-day visa exemption for Vietnam. Additionally, e-visa policy changes now allow for 90-day stays with multiple entries. These updates significantly ease travel to Vietnam for French citizens and pave the way for new adventures in this fascinating country in 2023 and 2024.

 1 – Visa Exemption

The Vietnam visa exemption is a vital part of the country’s tourism policy, aiming to encourage visits from nationals of key countries. From August 15, 2023, significant changes were made to this policy under Resolution No. 128, impacting international travelers, notably the French.

Visa Exemption Details

1. Eligible Countries: Citizens from the following countries can avail of the visa exemption: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.
2. Duration of Stay: Eligible country citizens can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 45 days from the date of arrival, without the need for a visa, regardless of the type of passport used or the purpose of the visit. This duration was extended from the previous Resolution No. 32/2022, which limited the stay to 30 days.
3. Entry Conditions: Despite the visa exemption, travelers must still adhere to all entry conditions set by Vietnamese legislation. This includes holding a passport valid for at least six months after the planned Vietnam entry date and having at least two blank pages for immigration stamps. Additionally, travelers must have a confirmed reservation for a return flight ticket.
4. Non-extendable: Currently, the visa exemption cannot be extended. Therefore, those wishing to stay in Vietnam after the 45-day exemption period must leave the country and, if necessary, obtain a new visa before returning.

For those wishing to avail of a new visa exemption, it is necessary to leave Vietnam for a neighboring country, such as Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos, and then return with a new visa exemption.

Previously, a 30-day waiting period was required between two visa-free visits to Vietnam. However, this restriction was removed in 2022. Hence, for eligible nationalities, it is possible to make multiple visits to Vietnam under the 45-day visa exemption, even if the stays are consecutive.

Overstay Warning

It is important to note that exceeding the 45-day visa exemption period will result in fines of $25 per day of delay. Moreover, those who overstay the validity of a visa in Vietnam may be blacklisted and receive a warning from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

In conclusion, the Vietnam visa exemption for French citizens and other eligible countries is a fantastic opportunity to explore this beautiful country with more ease and flexibility. However, it is crucial to understand all the conditions associated with this exemption and plan the trip accordingly to avoid any inconvenience or penalty.

2 – Electronic Visa or E-Visa

Following the implementation of Resolution No. 127 on August 15, 2023, new provisions were established for Vietnamese electronic visas. E-visas are now valid for up to 90 days, whether for a single entry or multiple entries, replacing the previous 30-day period for a single entry. This applies to all foreign citizens, regardless of their country of origin, offering greater flexibility to international travelers.

The e-visa can be requested and obtained entirely online via the official government website https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. Generally, it takes seven working days from the payment to receive the visa digitally in your email inbox.

2.1 To apply online, the foreign visitor must digitally provide:

• A copy of their valid passport
• A passport-sized photo
• Credit card numbers
• An active email address

The e-visa fee is $25, and this amount is non-refundable in case of application refusal.

Upon arrival in Vietnam, the tourist must present the e-visa letter printed from their email, along with a passport valid for six months beyond the entry date and having at least two blank pages for the definitive visa stamp.

2.2 Extending Stay with an E-Visa in Vietnam

Before the Covid-19 outbreak, travelers could get an extension of their e-visa without needing to leave Vietnam. However, due to temporary regulatory changes imposed by Vietnamese authorities, this option is no longer available. Currently, the only method for e-visa holders wishing to extend their stay is to do a “visa run”.

• What is a “visa run”?

A “visa run” is a common practice involving leaving the country where your visa is about to expire, in this case, Vietnam, and traveling to a neighboring country, such as Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. After leaving Vietnam, you can submit a new e-visa application from abroad. Once this application is approved, you can return to Vietnam with your new e-visa, allowing you to stay in the country for another 90-day period. It is crucial to stress that you must make this new e-visa application online and obtain approval before attempting to return to Vietnam.

• Steps to follow:

1 – Before your current e-visa expires, ensure you have submitted a new e-visa application online one week before the expiry date and correctly specified the entry point.

2 – Leave Vietnam and travel to a neighboring country.

3 – Once your new e-visa application is approved, return to Vietnam with your new e-visa.

In summary, although it is currently not possible to directly extend the duration of an e-visa in Vietnam, e-visa holders can still extend their stay by doing a “visa run” and obtaining a new e-visa.

For those wishing to be assisted in their e-visa application procedures, Tonkin Voyage Travel collaborates with partner visa agencies, fully prepared to handle their application request. These agencies ensure the proper receipt of the visa on time and even offer expedited processing options for a commission.

Do you have any questions of visa so far? Contact us here.