Essential steps for Canadian citizens applying for a Vietnam visa
Canadian nationality is not included in the visa exemption list; therefore, all Canadian passport holders need to apply visa to Vietnam for either tourism or business purposes.
Vietnam visa is required for all Canadian citizens;
Canadian citizens are eligible for maximum 90 days single single multiple entry e-visa;
Canadian citizens can get a visa on arrival with pre-arranged visa approval letter;
Canadian businessmen can apply for DN business visa for working with Vietnam Enterprises;
Canadian businessmen can apply for 2 years Temporary Residence Cards;
1. What do Canadian need for Vietnam visa?
Passport:
The passport should satisfy following requirements:
– Have at least 2 blank pages to get visa sticky and stamp;
– Have at least 6 months validity counted from your date of arrival;
Photos:
– Have a white background;
– Be taken in the last 6 months;
– Straight eyes look without glasses, photos should be taken clearly with the appearance of 2 ears;
– When applying for an e-visa, you need to upload a colored passport photo (4×6) and a passport data page image to the application form.
Stamping fee:
– Stamping fee for visa on arrival must be paid in cash (VND or USD) not by credit cards and it is not required for the e-visa;
– Other currency will be converted using given exchange rate;
– There is no ATM, money changer or any other way to withdraw money in the immigration hall so that cash (25 USD for single entry or 50 USD for multiple entry) is required.
Entry and exit form:
– This form can be downloaded from our website and should be filled in advance to save your time at arrival airport;
– The completed form will be submitted at the visa desk along with your passport, visa approval letters and stamping fee;
– Learn more how to fill in the Entry and exit form .
2. How do Canadian passports apply for Vietnam visa?
2.1. Apply online for a Vietnam visa on arrival
The Canadian passport holders can apply Vietnam visa on arrival from anywhere outside of Vietnam. The Vietnam visa will be picked up upon arrival at the Vietnam airports by showing up the printed approval letter.
The approval letter will be sent via email within 3 working days (normal processing mode), 8 working hours (rush processing mode), 4 hours (urgent processing mode) or even 2 hours (emergency processing mode) depending on which option the applicants choose when submitting online application form. Vietnam visa on arrival is especially beneficial for those who are living far from the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in Canada.
By using Vietnam visa on arrival, the Canadian visitors do not need to wait too long to get the approval letter, an official document issued by Vietnam Immigration Department giving permission to get the visa upon arrival.
In order to get a Vietnam visa on arrival, the Canadian applicants should pay two types of fee: the processing fee and the stamping fee.
Processing fee: It is the fee for expediting the visa approval letter.
Stamping fee: The stamping fee is paid in cash at the visa counter at arrival airport for visa stamp.
Notes:
– Visa on arrival is only applicable for Canadian citizens traveling by air to Vietnam.
2.2. Apply for e-visa Vietnam
This is new pilot visa system which has just official launched in February 2017. In order to apply for e-visa for Vietnam, the Canadian applicants will need to prepare a file of passport copy and recently taken photo (it should show your full face, straight eyes look without glasses, light colored plain or white background). The e-visa fee (processing fee and stamping fee) is paid once when the Canadian travelers apply for e-visa, thus no cash is required at arrival airport.
Vietnam e-visa is good for those who travel Vietnam less than 90 days with single/multiple entry. Since the visa fee is paid once when applying for visa, the travelers don’t have to bring cash for stamping fee at immigration counter therefore, the visa process at arrival airport is faster accordingly.
When applying for e-visa for Vietnam, please note that:
- Payments for e-visa applications are non-refundable;
- The applicants should check the information on a granted e-visa against the passport to make sure there is no mistake;
- The processing time may take longer than 3 working days that probably affect to your flight time. You are strongly recommended to buy a flight ticket when you already received your e-visa;
- The applicants have to leave the country before applying for the next e-visa.
- While your visa application is being processed, you may receive a request for amending your visa information. In this case, the processing time will take more 3 – 5 working days after the revision is made. If you need to speed up the visa process to board your flight, we can help you with the rush Vietnam visa service. You just need to provide us with your visa registration number and email then your e-visa process will be accelerated and completed in time.
How to apply e-visa for Vietnam?
Step 1: Fill the requirement information in the application form.
Step 2: Pay the visa fee and get e-visa in maximum 3 – 5 working days.
Step 3: Receive an email containing e-visa upon successful application. Please print out the e-visa, bring along with your passport to get on the plane.
Step 4: Present your e-visa at immigration counter to get entry into Vietnam.
2.3. Apply for Vietnam visa directly at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulates
For those who want to get a Vietnam visa beforehand or want to travel to Vietnam by land or sea, they can go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate nearest their location.
The address of Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Canada for your information:
Embassy of Vietnam in Ottawa, Canada
Address: 470 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6M8, Canada
Phone: (1613) 236 0772
Fax: (1613) 236 2704
Email: vietem@istar.ca / vietnamembassy@rogers.com
3. Common issues with your Vietnam visa application
Problem with a visa on arrival:
- Vietnam Immigration Deparment uses a digital signature for the visa approval letter, so it may be strange to the airline staff as they can not find any wet ink signature or red stamp as before. It will take time to explain to them and sometimes they need the instruction from the head office;
- Visa on arrival will go with the visa approval letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department in advance. Many Canadian travellers thought the visa on arrival can be arranged directly at the arrival airport without any pre-approved document that will cause a serious problem for the flight check in. It may lead to the flight cancellation and worse, cancellation of the entire trip;
- Visa data inconsistent with passport details: The entered information must be exact as the passport details. If the applicants entered the information incorrectly, the visa will be issued with this wrong information that makes their boarding declined. You are highly recommended to attach with the photo of passport in the visa on arrival application so that we can complete the visa approval letter with correct data.
Problem with an e-visa
- Lengthy processing time: Normally, it takes 3 – 5 working days to complete an e-visa. However, if you filled in the form with the incorrect information or photos, the processing time will be extended. This may affect to your trip to Vietnam as you can not board the plane with an “in processing” e-visa;
- Typos or spelling mistakes: If you complete the form with the data that doesn’t match your passport details, the visa application will be denied and need to be amended. Many Canadian travellers forget their middle name when filling in the form, thus more 3 – 5 working days is needed for the visa approval;
- Images quality: If you uploaded a poor quality or incorrect images your visa application will be denied. Please prepare the images of passport and portrait at good quality that all the information can be read easily.
- The address in Vietnam: You will need to provide with the specific address of a temporary residence in Vietnam. Please do not fill in the form with the name of hotel only, but write down the hotel address including the street, ward, district and province (or city).
- Apply for e-visa when you are inside of Vietnam: It is not possible to apply for an e-visa when you are still staying in Vietnam. In order to apply for a new visa to stay long in Vietnam, you will need to fly out of the country and make an application from outside of the country.
- Visa fee reimbursement: If your visa is rejected by the Vietnam Immigration Department, your money will not be refunded.
In case you have any problem with your visa on arrival or e-visa application, you please contact us as soon as possible, we can help you expedite an urgent Vietnam visa, or speed up the e-visa process or even correct your granted e-visa at the last minutes.
