How to get Vietnam visa in New Orleans,United States

If you are making a plan to visit Vietnam, make sure you obtain the visa well in advance of the trip because the USA is not named in the list of Vietnam visa-exempt countries.There are 3 ways to obtain Vietnam visa from New Orleans for US citizens.  In this post, we are described respectively those ways.

Option 1. Apply at embassy

I would like to start with the visa procedure at embassy/consulate , you have to submit the application by post or over the internet to Embassy of Vietnam in Washington or Consulate General of Vietnam in other cities such as Houston, San Francisco, New York. Here is checklist of documents needed in application submitted at embassy/consulate:

-       Application form (available on website of the embassy/consulate):  You can complete the form online or download its PDF form and fill out.  If you have had the visa approval, put its number into the form.

-       Original passport valid for at least 06 months. If you request a loose-leaf visa or apply by email, then the passport copy is required instead of the origin.

-        01 passport-sized photo taken against white background. 01 additional photo is needed for application of loose-leaf visa.

-       Prepaid self-addressed envelope is needed if you want to have the passport returned by post (FedEx is recommended).

-       Visa fee: must be money order, or cashier’s check, or company check.  Cash is accepted for in-person application. The fee is dependent on visa type you apply for. The fee structure of each embassy/ consulate is different. Please take note that you cannot receive the refund if application is refused or you want to cancel application.

Processing time ranges from 3 to 5 business days. The fast track service enables you to receive the visa decision within 24-48 business hours the additional is required of course. The embassy requests applicants not to make telephone inquiries on status of application before 3^rd day of processing.

Option2. Apply E-visa

E-visa, or electronic visa, was brought into operation since February of 2017 but its popularity has rapidly increased. People love it because it’s cheap and easy. Before going into further details about the process of Vietnam e-visa, we advise you take a look at list of ports allowing e-visa.

How Vietnam e-visa works?

Step 1. Upload your photo and complete application form online.

Step 2. Pay USD 25 non-refundable visa fee with credit card. An application code will be issued after the payment is completed.

Step 3. After 3 business days, check visa result by entering application code, registration email address and date of birth into search menu. Print the visa letter and show it at border to enter/exit Vietnam. In order to avoid any problems at port of entry, you are advised to review the e-visa before traveling.

We can’t deny the benefits of evisa for Vietnam for US citizens  . However, there are some disadvantages that you should notice:

• The extension fee for e-visa is usually more expensive than for visas obtained through embassy or on arrival.
• Processing time cannot less than 3 business days
• E-visa is only valid for 30 days

Option 3. Visa on arrival

When you need a longer visa, or business visa, or urgent Vietnam visaand want it to be cheap and easy for application, Visa On Arrival is recommended.  However, only US visitors arriving in Vietnam by air are eligible for visa on arrival. It is not applicable for those crossing border into the country by bus or traveling on a cruise.

The Vietnam visa on arrival process consists of 4 steps:

Step 1. Complete application form onlinewith your personal information and select type of visa from drop-down menu. You will be advised to contact us directly to request a business visa. Details on Vietnam business visa are available here.

Step 2. Make payment for application through Onepay or Paypal. The visa fee is different between tourist and business visa, single and multiple entry, short and long stay. Enter Vietnam visa feefor fee calculation.

Step 3. Receive approval letter in your email box. Waiting time for approval is 2 working days for standard process, 1-8 working hours for rush visa service. Processing time for business visa is a bit longer.

Step 4. Fly to Vietnam and get visa stamped at check-point counter located inside the airport. The approval letter is legitimate at all international airports in Vietnam. Documents needed to show at airport include: origin passport, visa approval, completed entry/exit form, 01 passport-sized photo. Stamping fee paid on arrival is as follows:

• Single entry: USD 25
• Multiple entry, 1 and 3 months visa: USD 50
• Multiple entry, 6 months visa: USD 95
• Multiple entry, 1 year visa: USD 135

Only cash is accepted. You can pay either in USD or VND currency.

Average time to collect visa stamp at airport is 15 minutes. Those who are in a hurry are recommended to use stamping assistance service to save time and energy.

Question:Can I apply and get visa at airport?

Answer:You cannot. Getting approval is a must to do if you wish to get on plane. Without approval, the airlines will not let you go on board.