A Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa allows a foreigner to enter Vietnam once within the validity period of the visa. This option is suitable for foreigners who plan to stay in Vietnam for a short period for tourism, business, family visit, conference attendance or other lawful entry purposes for up to 90 days.
Depending on the purpose of entry, nationality, place of submission and application method, a foreigner may apply for a visa directly through a competent authority, collect a visa based on an entry approval letter, or apply for an electronic visa if eligible.
What is a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa?
A Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa is a visa valid for up to 90 days and permits only one entry into Vietnam. During the validity period stated on the visa, the foreigner may enter Vietnam once.
After the foreigner enters Vietnam and later exits the country, the single-entry visa will no longer be valid, even if the visa validity period has not yet expired. If the foreigner wishes to re-enter Vietnam, a new visa or another appropriate entry method will be required.
A 3-month single-entry visa is generally understood based on two elements:
- Visa validity: up to approximately 90 days;
- Number of entries: one entry only.
Foreigners should distinguish a 3-month single-entry visa from a 3-month multiple-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa allows the holder to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times within the visa validity period, while a single-entry visa can only be used for one entry.
Who should apply for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa?
A Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa may be suitable for foreigners who plan to enter Vietnam once and stay for a short period, such as:
- Foreign tourists visiting Vietnam;
- Foreigners entering Vietnam for short-term business purposes;
- Foreigners visiting family members in Vietnam;
- Foreigners attending conferences, seminars or events;
- Investors, experts or business partners entering Vietnam for market research, meetings or preparation for longer-term plans;
- Foreigners who need to stay in Vietnam for less than 90 days and do not need multiple entries.
If the foreigner needs to travel in and out of Vietnam multiple times during the same visa validity period, a multiple-entry visa or another suitable visa option should be considered.
Requirements for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
To be considered for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa, the foreigner generally needs to meet the following basic requirements:
- Having a valid passport or international travel document;
- Not falling under cases of prohibited entry under Vietnamese law;
- Having a purpose of entry consistent with the visa category being applied for;
- Having an inviting or sponsoring agency, organization or individual in Vietnam if sponsorship is required;
- Providing complete information and documents as required by the competent authority;
- Meeting the specific conditions of the relevant visa category, visa symbol or application method.
For a Vietnam electronic visa, a foreigner may apply directly or through a requesting agency or organization if the relevant conditions are met. Vietnam e-visas are currently valid for up to 90 days and may be issued for single or multiple entries.
Common purposes for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
A Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa is not a separate visa symbol. It is a way to describe a visa based on validity period and number of entries. Depending on the purpose of entry, foreigners may be considered for a 3-month single-entry visa under the appropriate visa category.
Common cases include:
Tourism
Foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism may be considered for a visa suitable for their travel plan. Where eligible, they may apply for an electronic visa valid for up to 90 days.
Short-term business or working visit
Foreigners entering Vietnam to meet business partners, attend meetings, conduct market research, carry out short-term working activities or visit under an invitation from a company or organization in Vietnam may need an inviting or sponsoring entity in Vietnam.
Family visit
Foreigners entering Vietnam to visit their spouse, parents, children or relatives may be considered for a family visit visa if they have documents proving the family relationship and appropriate sponsorship documents.
Conferences, seminars and events
Foreigners entering Vietnam to attend conferences, seminars, professional events or official working programs may be considered for a visa based on the purpose of the event, depending on the invitation documents and the organizing entity in Vietnam.
Investment or project survey
Investors, company representatives or foreign business partners entering Vietnam for market research, partner meetings or investment preparation may be considered for a visa consistent with the purpose of entry and supporting documents.
Required documents for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
The document checklist for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa may vary depending on the application method, visa collection location, nationality, purpose of entry and requirements of the competent authority.
In general, the documents may include:
- Passport or valid international travel document;
- Portrait photo meeting the applicable requirements;
- Visa application form under the appropriate template;
- Entry approval letter or written approval, if sponsorship is required;
- Documents proving the purpose of entry;
- Legal documents of the inviting or sponsoring agency or organization in Vietnam, if applicable;
- Documents proving family relationship, if applying for a family visit visa;
- Invitation letter, working schedule, conference or seminar program, or other relevant documents, if applicable;
- Visa fee as prescribed;
- Other documents requested by the receiving authority.
For an electronic visa application, the foreigner needs to complete the online form, upload a portrait photo, upload the passport identity page and pay the fee according to the instructions on Vietnam’s electronic visa system.
Application process for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
Depending on the case, a foreigner may apply for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa through the e-visa system, based on an entry approval letter, or directly through a competent authority. The basic process includes the following steps:
Step 1: Determine the purpose of entry and suitable visa category
Before preparing the application, the foreigner should clearly determine whether the purpose of entry is tourism, business, family visit, conference attendance, investment or another lawful purpose.
Correctly identifying the purpose of entry helps determine the suitable visa category, application method and required documents.
Step 2: Check visa eligibility
The foreigner should check passport validity, immigration history, nationality, e-visa eligibility, sponsorship requirements and other factors that may affect the application.
If the visa requires an inviting or sponsoring entity, the agency, organization or individual in Vietnam should review sponsorship eligibility before filing the application.
Step 3: Prepare the documents
The foreigner or sponsoring entity prepares the documents according to the chosen application method. Information should be consistent across the passport, application form, entry approval letter, invitation letter and supporting documents.
If foreign-issued documents are used in the application, the receiving authority may require consular legalization, translation or certification as prescribed.
Step 4: Submit the application
Depending on the case, the application may be submitted through one of the following methods:
- Online through Vietnam’s electronic visa system;
- Online through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security’s Public Service Portal;
- At the Vietnam Immigration Department;
- At a Vietnamese visa-issuing authority overseas;
- At an international border gate based on an approved entry approval letter, where applicable.
The receiving authority will review the application, request supplementation if necessary and process the case in accordance with regulations.
Step 5: Receive the result and check visa information
After the visa or approval document is issued, the foreigner should carefully check the following information:
- Full name;
- Date of birth;
- Nationality;
- Passport number;
- Visa category;
- Visa validity;
- Number of entries;
- Port of entry, if specified;
- Purpose of entry.
If any information is incorrect, the foreigner should contact the receiving authority or consulting service provider for guidance before entering Vietnam.
Where to apply for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
Depending on the application method and specific case, the foreigner or sponsoring entity may apply through:
- Vietnam’s electronic visa system;
- Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security;
- Provincial immigration authority, where applicable;
- Vietnamese diplomatic missions overseas;
- International border gates stated in the entry approval document.
For cases requiring an entry approval letter, the inviting or sponsoring agency, organization or individual in Vietnam usually completes the personnel review and entry approval procedure before the foreigner collects the visa.
Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa fee
Under the current fee schedule, the visa issuance fee for a single-entry visa is USD 25 per visa. This fee applies to the issuance of a single-entry visa under the regulations on fees and charges in the field of exit, entry, transit and residence in Vietnam.
In addition to government fees, the foreigner or sponsoring entity may incur other costs such as translation, notarization, consular legalization, document delivery, travel, document preparation or professional service fees if using a consulting service provider.
The applicable fees and actual costs may vary depending on the time of submission, application method, visa collection location and specific requirements of each case.
Processing time for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
The processing time for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa depends on the application method and the condition of the application.
Under the administrative procedure for issuing visas to foreigners in Vietnam, the processing time is generally no more than 05 working days from receipt of a complete and valid application.
For electronic visa applications, processing is carried out according to the instructions on Vietnam’s electronic visa system and may vary depending on the application condition, submission period, supplementation requirements or technical factors.
The actual service timeline may be longer than the statutory processing time because it also includes consultation, eligibility review, document checking, preparation, submission coordination, result monitoring and handling of supplementation requests, if any. Nhi Gia will advise the expected timeline after reviewing the client’s specific case.
Key notes when applying for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
When applying for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa, foreigners and sponsoring entities should note the following:
- A single-entry visa is valid for one entry only;
- Once the holder exits Vietnam, the single-entry visa ceases to be valid even if its validity period remains;
- The passport should remain valid for the intended entry and stay period;
- The purpose of entry must be consistent with the visa granted;
- The foreigner must comply with the temporary stay period granted upon entry;
- The foreigner should not work, invest or carry out activities inconsistent with the visa purpose;
- If a longer stay is needed, the foreigner should check eligibility for temporary stay extension or a new visa before expiry;
- If multiple entries are needed, a multiple-entry visa or multiple-entry e-visa should be considered where eligible;
- Visa information should be carefully checked before entry or use.
Can a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa be extended?
A foreigner staying in Vietnam under a 3-month single-entry visa may be considered for temporary stay extension, a new visa or another suitable visa category if they meet the applicable requirements and have a valid sponsoring agency, organization or individual.
However, not every case is eligible for extension or conversion. The handling depends on the visa category, purpose of entry, sponsorship documents, temporary stay status, passport validity and regulations applicable at the time of application.
Foreigners should check eligibility before the visa or temporary stay period expires to avoid overstay risks in Vietnam.
Nhi Gia’s consulting service for Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa
Applying for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa requires proper identification of the purpose of entry, application method, visa collection location and sponsorship documents. For companies, investors, experts, foreign relatives or clients entering Vietnam under a specific schedule, preparing the application correctly from the beginning helps reduce the risk of supplementation requests or extended processing time.
Nhi Gia supports clients with:
- Advising on eligibility for a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa;
- Reviewing the purpose of entry and suitable visa option;
- Checking the foreigner’s personal documents;
- Guiding documents for the inviting or sponsoring agency, organization or individual;
- Advising on the choice between a single-entry visa, multiple-entry visa and e-visa;
- Supporting application monitoring and result collection guidance;
- Advising on temporary stay extension, new visa application or handling of arising issues where legally applicable.
The statutory processing time and the actual service timeline may differ depending on the condition of the application, supplementation requests, the working schedule of the receiving authority and other factors arising during the process. Nhi Gia will advise the expected timeline after reviewing the client’s specific case.
For support with a Vietnam 3-month single-entry visa for foreigners, please contact Nhi Gia for detailed consultation.
