Traveling to a new country is an exciting experience, but it often comes with the hassle of obtaining a visa. As an Australian citizen planning to visit Vietnam, you may be wondering about the visa process. In the past, Australians had to go through the traditional route of applying for a visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate. However, with the advancement of technology, Vietnam has now opened its doors to electronic visa applications for Australians. In this article, we will discuss the process of obtaining a Vietnam electronic visa for Australia citizens, its benefits, and how it compares to the traditional visa application method.
The short answer is yes. Vietnam has been offering electronic visas as a pilot program since 2017. However, as of August 2023, all countries, including Australia, will be able to apply for an electronic visa online. This is great news for Australian citizens as it simplifies the visa application process and eliminates the need to physically visit the embassy or consulate.
Applying for a traditional visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate can be a time-consuming and tedious process. It often requires multiple visits, and you may have to wait for days or even weeks to receive your visa. On the other hand, applying for a Vietnam electronic visa is a much more convenient and efficient process. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two methods.
To apply for a traditional visa, you would need to visit the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in person and submit your application along with the required documents. This can be a hassle for those living far away from the embassy or consulate. On the other hand, obtaining an electronic visa can be done entirely online, saving you time and effort.
The traditional visa application process may require additional documents such as flight tickets, hotel bookings, and a detailed itinerary. This can be a problem for travelers who have not finalized their travel plans. However, with an electronic visa, you only need your passport and a recent photo to complete the application.
The traditional visa application process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the workload of the embassy or consulate. This may cause delays in your travel plans, and you may even have to reschedule your trip. In contrast, the processing time for an electronic visa is only three working days, and you will receive the visa through email, saving you time and stress.
A traditional visa for Vietnam is usually valid for a single entry and has a limited validity period. This means that if you plan to visit Vietnam multiple times, you will have to go through the visa application process each time. With an electronic visa, you have the option of choosing between a single entry or multiple entries, and it is valid for up to 90 days. This gives you the flexibility to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times within the validity period.
Now that you are aware of the benefits of obtaining a Vietnam electronic visa, let’s look at the step-by-step process of applying for one.
Step 1: Visit the website
To start your visa application process, you can visit the website of Vietnam eVisa https://www.vietnam-evisa.com/apply/. This website is authorized by the Vietnamese government to process electronic visa applications.
Step 2: Fill out the application form
Once you are on the website, you will need to fill out the application form with all the required information accurately. This includes your personal details, travel information, and passport details.
Step 3: Upload documents
After filling out the application form, you will need to upload a scanned copy of your passport and a recent passport-sized photo. Make sure that the photo meets the required specifications to avoid any delays in processing your application.
Step 4: Make the payment
Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you will need to make the payment for your visa application.
Step 5: Receive your electronic visa
After making the payment, your application will be processed, and you will receive your electronic visa through email within three working days. You can then print out the visa and present it at the immigration checkpoint when entering Vietnam.
In Conclusion, Obtaining a Vietnam electronic visa for Australia citizens is a straightforward and hassle-free process. With the convenience of applying online and the quick processing time, it is the preferred option for many travelers. So, if you are an Australian citizen planning to visit Vietnam, make sure to apply for an electronic visa and enjoy a seamless travel experience.