Many U.S. travelers face visa rejection just because of a small mistake in their passport photo or expiry date. Imagine booking your Vietnam trip, paying for flights, and then discovering your e-visa was denied — all because your passport didn’t meet the hidden rules. Don’t let that happen to you. This guide walks you through every passport requirement American citizens must know before submitting their Vietnam electronic visa. We’ll clarify the 6-month validity rule, how many blank pages you actually need, and exactly how to scan and upload your passport bio page so the system reads it correctly the first time. Follow the checklists and pro tips below and you’ll avoid the costly re-apply cycle and glide through approval — even if you’re on a tight timeline.
What Is Vietnam Electronic Visa for U.S. Citizens?
Vietnam’s e-visa is an official online visa that U.S. citizens can apply for without visiting an embassy. Since policy updates took effect, e-visas can be issued for up to 90 days and may be single or multiple entry, making them ideal for vacations, business trips, or regional travel in and out of Vietnam. You submit your application online, upload (1) a portrait photo and (2) a clear image of your passport’s bio page, pay the fee, and receive a downloadable approval letter to present on arrival. The entire process hinges on your passport being valid and legible — a small oversight on that bio page image is one of the most common reasons for delays or refusals.
Vietnam E-Visa Passport Requirements for Americans
To ensure your Vietnam electronic visa (E-Visa) application is approved smoothly, your U.S. passport must strictly meet all the following official requirements. This is the most important part of your entire application — even the smallest mistake here can cause immediate rejection.
🕐 Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date to Vietnam. This rule applies to all travelers — even if your stay is only a few days. Passports with less than six months of remaining validity are automatically disqualified, and your application will not be processed.
📖 Blank Pages: Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages available for immigration stamps upon arrival and departure. Even though Vietnam immigration usually uses one page, airlines and border control may request additional space for visa or transit stamps.
💳 Condition: Your passport must be clean, undamaged, and machine-readable. Passports with torn edges, stains, faded text, or peeling laminate may cause the system to reject your scan — or worse, result in entry denial upon arrival.
🪪 Type of Passport: Only ordinary (regular) U.S. passports are accepted for e-visa applications. If you hold a diplomatic or official passport, you may fall under special visa exemption agreements or need to apply via a different process at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.
📂 File Format for Upload: When uploading your passport to the e-visa system, use a clear, full-page color scan in JPEG or PDF format, not exceeding 2MB in file size. The file must show the entire bio page, including your photo, personal details, and the machine-readable code at the bottom.
📸 Scan or Photo Requirements: You may scan your passport using a scanner or take a high-quality photo with your smartphone. However, ensure that:
All four corners of the bio page are visible.
The image is bright, sharp, and not cropped.
Every letter and number is legible, including the MRZ zone.
The image is taken on a flat surface with no glare or shadow.
🎨 Color Requirement: The uploaded passport file must be in color. Black-and-white or grayscale copies are often unreadable by the e-visa system and may trigger an automatic rejection.
💡 Pro Tip: Before scanning or photographing your passport, remove any protective cover or plastic sleeve. These often cause glare and reflections that make the image unclear. Always review your file carefully before uploading — the Vietnamese government’s e-visa portal automatically rejects unclear, cropped, or low-quality images without notice.
Common U.S. Passport Mistakes That Lead to Vietnam E-Visa Rejection
Blurry or cropped scans – If the MRZ (two lines of code at the bottom) is soft or cut off, the system may not read your data correctly.
Insufficient validity – Less than 6 months beyond your entry date can cause rejection or boarding refusal.
Physical damage – Torn or peeling laminate makes your passport unreadable.
Wrong file size or format – Oversized files or unsupported formats will fail to upload. Stick to JPG/JPEG ≤2MB.
Even these small mistakes can cause costly reapplications or delay your travel plans.
How to Prepare a Perfect U.S. Passport File for Vietnam E-Visa Submission
Step 1 – Capture the image correctly: Use a flatbed scanner or a modern smartphone. Place the passport on a plain surface in bright, even light. Hold the camera parallel to avoid distortion. Step 2 – Show everything: The entire bio page must be visible: all edges, photo, details, and MRZ. Don’t crop or cut corners. Step 3 – Keep it sharp and color-accurate: Avoid shadows, reflections, or tinted light. Step 4 – Save properly: Export as .JPG/.JPEG, keep the file ≤2 MB, and name it clearly (e.g., US-passport-bio.jpg). Step 5 – Double-check: Zoom in to confirm all letters and numbers are clear. Do the same for your portrait photo (white background, centered face, no glasses).
The Smart Way to Apply Vietnam Electronic Visa for U.S. Citizens — Let Experts Handle It
If you want a 100% approval rate without dealing with technical upload errors, VietnamImmigration.com offers a verified E-Visa service for U.S. travelers.
They:
Review your passport scan before submission.
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Simplify required documents and guide you step by step.
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Thousands of Americans have saved time and avoided stress thanks to this expert service — perfect for first-time travelers or those in a hurry.
Final Checklist Before Submitting Vietnam Electronic Visa for U.S. Citizens
✅ Passport valid for 6+ months beyond arrival. ✅ At least 2 blank pages. ✅ Color scan of passport bio page, full page, corners visible, MRZ clear. ✅ Portrait photo (4×6 cm / 2×2 in), color, no glasses, light background. ✅ File size ≤2 MB, JPG/JPEG format. ✅ Entry date and port of entry checked carefully. ✅ Name and spelling exactly match your passport.
If everything matches, you’re ready to submit and enjoy a smooth, worry-free entry into Vietnam.
Conclusion
Your passport is more than just a travel document — it’s the key to your Vietnam adventure. Take a few minutes to check every detail carefully, and you’ll avoid rejection or last-minute changes. If you prefer to let experts handle it, trust VietnamImmigration.com — fast, reliable, and trusted by thousands of U.S. travelers every month.
Planning a business trip to Vietnam in 2025? As a US citizen, your success in securing a business visa depends entirely on meeting every single requirement—down to the smallest detail. …
VietnamImmigration.com is a commercial website providing service for visa Vietnam and charge service fee. We are neither government website nor affiliated with embassy therefore our fee is higher than official fee from government.
