The best way to ensure the fastest approval—guaranteeing results within a week—is to use a third-party service to expedite the process. If you simply apply directly via the government website, processing takes 3–5 business days, with no option for expedited handling. Some urgent E-visa service providers can deliver results within a single day or even just a few business hours.
If you have exactly 7 days left before your trip, you essentially have two options:
Your visa will be processed according to the standard timeframe stated on the government website (3 business days); however, in reality, it takes 3–5 business days for about 90% of applications. Some cases may require additional verification, supplementary documents, or corrections due to errors or non-compliant photos; these require updates, causing the processing cycle to restart from the beginning.
Where to apply: The official Vietnam National Electronic Visa system website
Standard processing time: 3–5 business days (90% of cases); 6–10 business days (10% of cases).
Cost: 25 USD for single-entry; 50 USD for multiple-entry.
Likelihood of approval before the trip: Uncertain.
Many urgent visa service companies in Vietnam offer expedited E-visa packages that deliver results within the same day or just a few hours. These companies prioritize your application and push for results with the Immigration Department to ensure the fastest possible outcome for priority cases. How it works: You submit an urgent visa request via a visa service provider’s website, provide your trip details, and select the appropriate visa type and urgent service option; the provider then submits your application under priority status. Your application enters a priority processing stream designated for a specific urgent timeframe (e.g., 4 hours or 8 hours). Once approved, the visa company sends the result to you via email.
Where to apply: Many companies offer this service; you can choose a reputable provider or use our urgent visa service at https://www.vietnamimmigration.com/apply-vietnam-visa/
Processing time: Urgent packages are available for 4-hour, 8-hour, 1-day, and 2-day turnarounds.
Cost: In addition to the government-mandated fee, you must pay an extra fee for urgent processing. Depending on the desired speed, the additional cost ranges from $85 to $175.
Likelihood of timely approval: Virtually 100%. If you use our service, we guarantee a 100% refund of the cost if the visa is not issued on time.
When applying for an urgent E-visa through a visa service, you do not need to fill out the complex forms found on the official government website. The visa company simplifies the process and handles the form completion for you. However, you still need to prepare the following:
Q1: Is using such an expedited service 100% safe? Has anyone ever been scammed?
No service is 100% safe if you choose a “ghost” agency, but reputable services are extremely safe. Scams involving e-visas (where the provider takes the money and disappears or delivers a fake visa) do occur online.
If you haven’t found a trustworthy agency yet, you can use our service. We have over 15 years of experience handling urgent visa applications, guarantee approval before the deadline, offer a clear refund policy, and provide 24/7 customer support.
You can contact us via email at info@vietnamimmigration.com or through WhatsApp/WeChat using the details below:
Q2: If I pay for expedited processing but the visa is still delayed, will the service provider refund the fee or compensate me for flight tickets?
Most reputable agencies will refund 100% of the expedited service fee if the delay is their fault. However, they will NOT compensate you for flight tickets or hotel bookings.
Agencies act only as intermediaries to submit and expedite applications; the final decision rests with the Immigration Department (government systems may undergo unscheduled maintenance, or your application might be flagged for an in-depth security check). Such situations can occur, and in the visa industry, no one can guarantee a 100% approval rate.
Q3: How can service providers process visas in just a few hours when the government website states it takes 3–5 days? Do they issue fake visas?
They provide 100% genuine and legal visas. Major travel agencies in Vietnam are officially registered with the Immigration Department.
For urgent requests, they utilize a priority processing procedure (where applications are sorted and manually reviewed by staff at the Department, rather than waiting in the standard automated queue). The higher service fee you pay covers the operational costs and this priority handling. The final visa issued is still a PDF file featuring the standard QR code from the Vietnamese government.
Q4: Is there a way to call the Vietnam Immigration Department directly to request faster approval?
In reality, this CANNOT be resolved over the phone. While the Immigration Department has hotlines, the lines are frequently busy, and the staff answering only provide information on general procedures; they do not have the authority to approve individual applications during a call. Any request to expedite processing must be handled via official written channels/systems or through service providers with staff working directly at the Department’s administrative counters.
Q5: Is it okay if the passport photo has a slight glare from a light, or is a scan mandatory?
The Immigration Department’s scanning system is very strict; photos with glare (light reflection) are highly likely to be rejected or flagged for additional submission after processing has already begun. You are not required to use a scanner, but if you take the photo with a phone, it must be a clear, complete image showing all information without blur or glare, covering the entire passport page. You should:
Q6: I listed the 10th as my entry date on the e-visa, but if I arrive on the 11th, will I be allowed in?
You ARE PERMITTED to enter later than the listed date, but you absolutely MUST NOT enter earlier. A Vietnam e-visa is valid for a specific period; you may enter the country on any day within this timeframe, but not before it begins. Entering later—provided it is still within the visa’s validity period—poses no issue.
Q7: What should I do if my flight is approaching but my e-visa hasn’t been approved yet?
If your departure date is very close and your e-visa is still pending, you might consider a Visa on Arrival. Vietnam allows travelers to obtain a visa upon landing at the airport, provided they have secured an approval letter beforehand. You can contact an urgent visa service to obtain an expedited approval letter, fly to Vietnam, and then collect your visa at the airport.
Q8: How can I check the status of my e-visa application?
You can check the official status or verify the authenticity of an e-visa (including one provided by a visa agency) via the official e-Visa Search- Vietnam National Electronic Visa system. You will need to enter your application code, email address, and date of birth to look up the result.
Q9: Once I receive the e-visa PDF file, should I print it out or just keep it on my phone?
If time permits, it is advisable to print the e-visa to facilitate inspection by airport officials. However, if you are in a rush, you can simply show the e-visa on your phone; the document includes a QR code that officials can scan to verify the information.
Q10: Do I need to queue to pay a stamping fee or bring passport-sized photos when entering with an e-visa?
No; the process of paying a stamping fee and submitting passport photos applies only to the Visa on Arrival. With an e-visa, you can simply proceed directly to the passport control counter and present your passport and e-visa.
Q11: Do I need to purchase a round-trip flight ticket before applying for an e-visa?
Not necessarily. A round-trip flight ticket is not a mandatory document for the e-visa application. You can apply for the visa first and purchase the ticket later.
