Understanding Vietnam Visa Approval Time

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, understanding Vietnam e-visa approval time is critical — especially when your travel date is close to a weekend or national holiday.
Vietnam e-visas are processed by the Vietnam Immigration Department, which operates only during official working hours:
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Monday to Friday
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8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (GMT+7)
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Closed on weekends and public holidays
What This Means for Travelers
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❌ No visa approvals on Saturday or Sunday
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❌ No processing on Vietnamese public holidays
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⏳ Applications submitted outside working hours are queued and reviewed on the next working day
Vietnam’s e-visa system does not operate 24/7, which often surprises first-time travelers.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Applying Right Before the Weekend
One of the most frequent issues we see is travelers submitting their e-visa late on Friday or during the weekend, expecting approval before a Sunday or Monday flight.
What Actually Happens:
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Friday night submission → Application is queued
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Saturday & Sunday → No review
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Monday morning → Processing resumes
If your flight is on Sunday, airlines will deny boarding without an approved e-visa or valid visa letter.
Vietnam Immigration Working Days & Hours
| Day | Status | Working Hours (GMT+7) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | ✅ Open | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | ❌ Closed | – |
| Sunday | ❌ Closed | – |
| Public Holidays | ❌ Closed | – |
Official Vietnam Public Holidays (No Visa Processing)
During the following periods, no standard e-visa approvals are issued:
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New Year’s Day (January 1)
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Lunar New Year (Tết) – usually 5–7 days (Jan–Feb)
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Hung Kings’ Festival
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Reunification Day (April 30)
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Labor Day (May 1)
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National Day (September 2)
During these times, standard applications are paused until the next working day.
How Long Does a Vietnam eVisa Take?
| Processing Type | Estimated Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3–5 working days | Excludes weekends & holidays |
| Fast | 1–2 working days | Business days only |
| Urgent | 1–5 hours* | Case-by-case via support service |
| Super Urgent | ~1 hour* | Emergency situations only |
*Processing time depends on document accuracy and Immigration availability.
Important: “Working days” mean Monday to Friday only.
Real Examples
Example 1
You apply Friday at 6:00 PM (GMT+7).
→ Immigration office is closed
→ Review starts Monday
→ Approval likely Wednesday or Thursday
Example 2
You apply Wednesday morning.
→ Processed within 3 working days
→ Approval by Friday or next Monday
How to Avoid Vietnam eVisa Delays
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✅ Apply 7–10 days before travel
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✅ Check Vietnam public holidays
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✅ Avoid submissions after Friday 3:00 PM (GMT+7)
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✅ Use urgent support if your flight is within 48 hours
Vietnam E-visa Fast – Urgent Processing Options (2025)
| Processing Speed | Estimated Approval | Total Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Super Urgent | ~1 hour | $180 |
| Express | ~2 hours | $160 |
| Rush | Up to 5 hours | $140 |
| Urgent | 1 working day | $100 |
| Fast | 2 working days | $85 |
| Standard | 3 working days | $80 |
| Basic | 4 working days | $50 |
All fees include government charges and service fees.
Processing time may vary based on case specifics.
Why eVisa Applications Delay on Weekends
Although applications can be submitted online at any time, final approval always requires manual review by Immigration officers.
During weekends and holidays:
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Applications are queued
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No officer reviews or approves
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Processing resumes on the next working day
Can You Get a Vietnam eVisa During Weekends?
Officially: No standard approvals are issued.
However: In urgent situations, authorized application support may assist with emergency handling on a case-by-case basis.
This is especially helpful if:
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Your flight is within 24 hours
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You applied too late on Friday
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You must enter Vietnam during a public holiday
Practical Tips Before Applying
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Check Vietnam’s holiday calendar
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Apply early whenever possible
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Avoid last-minute Friday submissions
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Ensure passport details and entry date are accurate
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Choose urgent support only when necessary
👉 Apply for Urgent Vietnam Visa Support
Apply Now for Your Urgent Vietnam Visa (1 Hour)
📩 24/7 Support Contact
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💬 WhatsApp: +84 931 30 4464
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📧 Email: [email protected]
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🌐 Website: https://vietnamevisafast.com
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Vietnam e-visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible foreign nationals to enter Vietnam without submitting paper documents at an Embassy or Consulate. The application is completed online, and the visa is issued electronically.
Vietnam’s e-visa program is available to all nationalities. Travelers can apply for single-entry or multiple-entry e-visas with validity up to 90 days.
A valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), a passport-style photo, a scanned passport information page, and a valid email address are typically required.
Standard processing usually takes several working days. Urgent processing options may be available depending on travel urgency.
Vietnam e-visas cannot be directly extended. Travelers may need to exit Vietnam and apply for a new visa.
Applicants may reapply with corrected information or explore alternative visa options.
Approved e-visas are issued in PDF format and sent to the applicant’s email address.
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