Vietnam Extends E-Visa Validity to Three Months with Lawmakers' Approval

The Vietnamese National Assembly has approved a government proposal to extend the validity of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days and allow multiple entries. The amendments to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam were passed with an overwhelming majority of 470 out of 475 members voting in favor. The amendments will come into effect on August 15 and will also triple the duration of visa-free stays for visitors from certain countries to 45 days.

Visitors from some western European countries, Japan, and South Korea, which are Vietnam’s top tourism markets, are now allowed to visit without a visa for 15 days. Lawmakers believe that the issuance of multiple-entry visas will reduce the administrative burden and save time and money for visitors. The three-month e-visa will also meet the demand of foreign visitors who wish to stay longer to explore investment opportunities.

Vietnam currently offers e-visas to citizens of 80 countries and territories and waives visas for nationals of 25 countries, mostly for between 15-30 days. This policy is considered less generous than that of other countries in the region. In the first five months of 2021, Vietnam received 4.6 million foreign visitors, which is more than half of the year’s target of eight million but still only 63% of pre-pandemic levels.