Overview of Emergency Vietnam Visas
An emergency Vietnam visa allows Indian citizens to travel to Vietnam quickly for urgent reasons like medical emergencies, family matters, business emergencies, natural disasters, or political unrest.
There are two main types of emergency visas:
- Visa On Arrival: This is the fastest option, issued at one of Vietnam’s international airports.
- E-Visa: Applied for online in advance. Slower than Visa On Arrival but still fast.
Both are single entry visas valid for 30 days from date of issue. E-Visas allow multiple entries within the 30 days. Extensions are possible.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting an emergency Vietnam visa from India.
Who Needs an Emergency Vietnam Visa?
Emergency visas are for urgent travel only. You must prove the reason for urgent travel. Examples include:
- Medical emergencies like accidents or sudden illness of yourself or family members in Vietnam.
- Family emergencies like funerals, accidents, or illness.
- Business emergencies like deals falling through or equipment failure.
- Evacuating from natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or storms.
- Leaving areas of political unrest and violence.
Routine business travel, tourism, and family visits do not qualify for emergency visas.
Applying for an Emergency Visa On Arrival
A Vietnam Visa On Arrival is the fastest emergency visa option. It is issued at one of Vietnam’s 8 international airports upon arrival.
Eligibility:
- Indian passport holders only.
- Must have urgent reason for visiting Vietnam.
Required Documents:
- Original passport valid for 6+ months.
- 2 passport photos.
- Completed visa application form.
- Visa approval letter from Vietnamese authorities.
- Round-trip ticket to Vietnam.
Process:
- Obtain visa approval letter by applying to the Vietnamese Embassy with support documents. Takes 2-3 business days.
- Book round-trip flights to Vietnam departing within 30 days.
- Fill out visa application form online. Print and carry to Vietnam.
- At Vietnam airport immigration, present passport, photos, approval letter, application form, and pay fee.
- Visa will be issued on arrival within 30 minutes.
Fees:
- Single entry: $25 USD
- Multiple entry: $50 USD
- Visa approval letter fee ~$25 USD
Validity:
30 days from arrival date. Allows single entry.
Applying for an Emergency E-Visa
A Vietnam E-Visa can also be used for emergency travel. It is applied for online in advance.
Eligibility:
- Indian passport holders only.
- Must prove urgent reason for travel.
Required Documents:
- Scanned passport page.
- 2 passport photos.
- Completed online application form.
- Visa approval letter.
- Round-trip ticket booking.
Process:
- Obtain visa approval letter by applying to Vietnamese authorities with support documents. Takes 2-3 business days.
- Complete the online application with required documents.
- If approved, E-Visa will be emailed within 3 working days.
- Print E-Visa and carry to Vietnam within 30 days.
Fees:
- Single entry: $25 USD
- Multiple entry: $50 USD
- Visa approval letter fee ~$25 USD
Validity:
30 days from date of issue. Allows multiple entries.
Getting a Visa Approval Letter
To get either an emergency Visa On Arrival or E-Visa, you must first obtain a visa approval letter. This confirms approval of your emergency visa application.
To apply:
- Fill out application form at Vietnamese Embassy.
- Provide original passport and 2 photos.
- Explain emergency situation in a letter. Provide supporting documents.
- Show round-trip ticket booking.
Processing Time: 2-3 business days
Fee: ~$25 USD
Once issued, the visa approval letter is valid for 30 days. Use it to immediately apply for your emergency visa.
Extending an Emergency Visa
If you still need to stay in Vietnam after your emergency visa expires, you can apply to extend it.
To extend:
- Submit passport, visa, and application form at the Immigration Department.
- Provide letter detailing why you need an extension.
- Show confirmed departure ticket out of Vietnam.
Fees:
- 30 day extension: $50 USD
- 90 day extension also possible for $90 USD
Extensions take 5 days to process. Do not overstay while waiting.
When to Use an
Emergency visas should only be used for true urgent travel, not routine visits.
Some examples of appropriate emergency use:
- Your family member in Vietnam is hospitalized after an accident.
- Your business equipment/goods are damaged right before a delivery.
- Danger from a natural disaster means you must exit Vietnam quickly.
- Political conflict makes it unsafe to stay in region of Vietnam.
- You or family member suddenly fall critically ill in Vietnam.
- Family member passes away and you must urgently travel for funeral.
- Your expert skills are required for emergency equipment repair.
- An important business deal suddenly fell through.
Do not use emergency visas for tourism, routine business, or planned family visits. Make sure your situation counts as an urgent emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How quickly can I get an emergency visa?
- Visa On Arrival is issued same-day upon landing in Vietnam.
- E-Visa takes 3 working days to be issued electronically.
- Allow 2-3 days to get the required visa approval letter.
2. Can I get an emergency visa at the border overland?
No, emergency visas can only be issued at certain airports or online as an E-Visa. You cannot obtain one at land borders.
3. What if I do not have urgent reason for travel?
Without an approved urgent reason, you will not be issued either type of emergency visa. Apply for a regular tourist or business visa instead.
4. What documents do I need for a Visa On Arrival?
You need your passport, 2 photos, completed application form, visa approval letter, and round-trip plane ticket.
5. Can I extend my 30 day emergency visa?
Yes, you can apply to extend your emergency visa by 30 days or 90 days for a fee if you require more time.
6. Can I enter Vietnam multiple times with an emergency visa?
- Visa On Arrival allows one entry only.
- E-Visa allows multiple entries within 30 days.
7. What is the fee for an emergency visa?
Visa On Arrival or E-Visa costs $25 USD for single entry, $50 USD for multiple entry. Approval letter is ~$25 USD.
8. How do I prove my reason for urgent travel?
Provide supporting documents like medical or death certificates, business documents, or news on disasters/unrest.
Conclusion: How to Get Your Emergency Vietnam Visa
In summary, to get an emergency Vietnam visa from India:
- Determine if your reason for travel is considered urgent.
- Apply for and obtain visa approval letter from Vietnamese authorities.
- Choose either Visa On Arrival or E-Visa process.
- For Visa On Arrival – book plane tickets, fill out application form, and carry documents to Vietnam.
- For E-Visa – apply online with required documents and get approved e-visa emailed to you.
- Fly to Vietnam within 30 days and enter using your emergency visa.
Emergency visas provide urgent access to Vietnam for Indian citizens facing crises like health emergencies or conflict. Follow the steps above to quickly get your emergency visa.
