Vietnam is trying to attract visitors from around the world by simplifying its entry requirements. A visa application is usually the first thing that one will consider when planning an international trip. This article will figure out whether a Vietnam visa is needed for Australians and some important details about how to apply for a Vietnam visa.
Do Australians Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australian passport holders must hold a valid visa to enter Vietnam no matter what they are traveling for. It should be obtained before arrival. Those who are traveling for tourism or business can apply for an e-visa online or in person from the Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
What Are Tourist Visa Requirements for Vietnam?
Vietnam tourist visa or Vietnam e visa is designed for leisure activities. To successfully obtain this visa type, applicants must present the following documents.
- An Australian passport valid for at least 6 months and 2 blank sheets upon the date of arrival.
- A recent 4x6cm passport-style photo.
- Letter of invitation or sponsor (if any).
- A completed Entry and Exit Form is provided by the airline (in the case of applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival).
How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa: 3 Methods
There are two types of Vietnam tourist visas for Australian citizens, including electronically applied and issued visas or physical visa stamps. Here is a detailed instruction on how to apply for a Vietnam visa in Australia.
Apply for Vietnam e-Visa Online
Australians can apply for a Vietnam e visa for themselves or ask an agency/organization/airline to apply on their behalf. In this section, we will take personal application as an example.
- Visit the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department and click on the “here” hyperlink for outside Vietnamese foreigners.
- Read the instructions and check the box at the end to confirm that you have understood the statement. Click on the “Next” button to continue.
- Click on the sample image of a personal photo and upload a picture from the local file. Submit a digital scanned copy or picture of the bio-data page of your passport photo in the same way.
- Complete the application form on the same page, including personal information, e-visa request information, passport details, information about the trip, etc. The information must be the same as that listed on the passport, including name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. Make sure the required fields marked with an asterisk are filled.
- Enter the Captcha and check the box in front of the statement “I assure that I have truthfully declared all relevant details.” at the end. Click on the “Review application form” button.
- Double-check the provided information and submit the application. Pay the e-visa fee online.
- Check the application status on E-visa search menu. Print out the e-visa if your case is approved and present it to the customs officers to enter and exit Vietnam.
Apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa In Person
Supposing that you have no access to the e-visa portal or you prefer a physical visa sticker on your passport, you can apply for a tourist visa from the Vietnam embassy or consulate through the steps below.
- Locate a nearby consular office. Ask about whether an appointment is needed and its office hours.
| Consular Office | Address | Contact |
| Vietnam embassy in Canberra | 6 Timbarra Crescent, O’Malley, ACT, 2606, Australia | 📞Phone: PBX: +0262866059 (ext. 101/102) 📧Email: vembassy@webone.com.au;vembassy@iinet.net.au |
| Vietnam Consulate General in Perth | Level 8, 16 St Georges Terrace, WA 6000 P O Box 3122 East Perth WA 6892, Australia | 📞Phone: PBX: +61892211158 📧Email: vnconsulate.perth@gmail.com |
| Vietnam Consulate General in Sydney | Suite 205, level 2, Edgecliff Center 203 233 New South Head Road, Edgecliff, NSW 2027 | 📞Phone: +0293271912 – 0293272539 📧Email: vnconsul@iinet.net.au |
- Bring all the required documents to the embassy/consulate.
- Obtain an application form at the counter or on the consular’s website and fill it out.
- Submit the form along with the supporting documents.
- Pay the visa fee at the cashier. The officer will tell you when to get your documents back.
- Collect your passport. It will be stamped with a visa if your application is approved.
- Present your passport at the port of entry into Vietnam.
Vietnam Visa Cost
How much it costs to get a Vietnam visa depends on the visa validity and number of entries. There might be extra service fees for expedited processing or consular assistance. Please turn to the local embassy or consulate for the exact visa fees.
| Visa Type | Application fee |
| 1-month single-entry visa | 25 USD (about 37 AUD) |
| 3-month single-entry visa | 25 USD (about 37 AUD) |
| 1-month multiple-entry visa | 50 USD (about 74 AUD) |
| 3-month multiple-entry visa | 50 USD (about 74 AUD) |
How to Make a Vietnam Visa Photo Online
The Vietnam visa photo is used to identify who you are. Compared with going to a photo studio, making a Vietnam picture online will be more convenient. To make a qualified biometric photo, you are supposed to follow these steps.
Learn Vietnam Visa Photo Requirements
Learning about the official requirements is the primary step for DIY photos, which includes the following specifications.
- Size: 4×6 cm or 2×2 inches (width x height).
- File format for online application: JPG.
- File size: up to 1024Kb.
- Photo recency: taken within the last 6 months.
- Photo quality: clear, colored, sharp, and not digitally retouched.
- Background: uniform light color, preferably white.
- Facial expressions: neutral with fully open eyes and closed mouth.
- Glasses: not allowed unless for medical reasons.
- Lighting: natural and even to avoid shadows and the “red-eye” effect.
- Clothes: decent and contrasting to the background.
- Photo frame: head, shoulders, and upper body visible.
- Pose: show a frontal view and look directly at the camera.
- Head coverings: only permitted for religious or medical reasons.
- Face coverings or masks: prohibited.
Take a Picture with Your Cellphone
Your cellphone must take clear photos. Make sure to use the built-in camera feature instead of any third-party camera apps. To take a high-quality and compliant picture, here are some useful tips.
- Take advantage of natural daylight.
It will bring out the original skin tone. The subject should face the light source and adjust the position to make sure the face is properly lit and there are no shadows on the face.
- Find a clean background.
A white backdrop is recommended. If you cannot find a suitable one, stand in front of a wall and we will introduce a visa photo maker to change the background later. Don’t let anyone else or items appear along with you.
- Set up the camera.
The camera should not be too far or too close to the subject. 1.2-1.5 meters (4-5 feet) is advised. Hold the camera with a tripod to stabilize it, thus preventing out-of-focus or blurry pictures.
Resize Your Picture to a Vietnam Visa Photo
After taking a picture, you have to adjust it to the required photo size. AiPassportPhotos is an automatic photo resizer. Moreover, it can also check photo compliance, thus promising to generate a 100% qualified visa photo. The whole process takes only a few seconds through the steps below.
- Visit AiPassportPhotos to make Vietnam visa photos online.
- Click on the “Upload a Photo” button and choose a picture.
- Download the qualified visa pictures for free.
- AiPassportPhotos offers you two outputs for various usages. We recommend you download both for future use.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Vietnam Visa?
The processing time takes about 3-7 working days. It might be faster when applying for an e-visa online while an in-person Vietnam visa application might be subject to the specific consular office. Therefore, please file an application as early as possible so as to start your journey on schedule.
FAQ
When should I apply for a Vietnam visa?
You are suggested to apply at least 1 week in advance so as to receive the visa before traveling.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Vietnam?
Yes. Australian citizens can apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival (VoA) at an international airport in Vietnam. You should apply for an approval letter online 1-5 days before traveling. The letter is required for VoA application along with a valid passport, visa photo, and cash for payment.
Do children require their own photo for a Vietnam visa?
Yes. A visa photo is required despite the applicant’s age and the child must be the only person visible. You can also use AiPassportPhotos to make a perfect picture.
As an Australian and Canadian couple, are the Vietnam visa photo requirements the same for both tourist and business visas?
Yes. There is no difference in requirements for a Vietnam visa photo no matter what type of visa you are applying for.
Summary
Australians must hold a visa to enter Vietnam. Vietnam visas for Australians can be applied online, on arrival, or at the embassy/consulate. The tourist visa requirements for Vietnam are generally the same no matter where you apply from. We hope this passage will help you prepare for the Vietnam visa application and receive it successfully.
Dolores Xiao