Documents Required for Vietnam Visa , Indians Complete Checklist 2026

The vietnam e-visa has one of the shortest document lists of any visa available to Indian travelers. You do not need a bank statement, salary slip, ITR, employer letter, cover letter, or sponsor declaration. The application asks for seven things and most take seconds. The one item that requires real preparation is the photo , Vietnam’s portal automatically rejects grey backgrounds, and Indian studios use grey by default.

Complete Document Checklist

• ✓
  Passport (bio-data page scan)

  Valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date. Minimum 2 blank visa pages. Scan bio-data page only: all four corners visible, no shadows, MRZ zone (two rows of letters at bottom) fully legible. JPEG or PDF under 2MB. Use Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens, not regular camera app.

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  Passport photo , pure white background Most Critical

  This is where 40% of Indian applications fail. Vietnam’s portal auto-checks background colour. Grey is rejected instantly , no human reviews it. Indian studios use grey by default. Fix: use remove.bg (free, 30 seconds) to replace background with white before uploading. JPEG format, under 2MB, taken in last 6 months, full face visible, no glasses.

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  Entry airport (exact airport your flight lands at) Most Critical

  The visa specifies your entry port. Flying to Hanoi? Select Noi Bai International. Ho Chi Minh City? Tan Son Nhat. Da Nang? Da Nang International. Check your actual flight itinerary before selecting. Mismatch = cannot enter. Cannot change after payment.

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  Exit airport or border crossing

  Where you plan to leave Vietnam from. Can be same or different from entry airport. Can also be a land border crossing into Cambodia or Laos.

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  Intended travel dates

  Approximate dates are fine. The 90-day stay window gives flexibility. Enter dates close to your actual plan.

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  First hotel name and address

  Name and street address of where you stay the first night. A Booking.com or MakeMyTrip screenshot is sufficient. Does not need to be paid or confirmed.

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  International Visa or Mastercard

  Rupay not accepted. Enable international online transactions in your bank app before starting the form. HDFC: Cards > Manage Card > International Usage. SBI: YONO > Cards > Manage Card. If card declines after filling the form, you lose progress.

What the Portal Checks Automatically

How to Prepare Each Document Correctly

Getting the photo right (most important step)

Go to remove.bg on your phone or computer. Upload your existing passport photo. The tool replaces the background with white in about 10 seconds. Download the JPEG result. Zoom in on the corners and hairline , check there are no grey patches. Save as JPEG under 2MB. This single step eliminates the most common cause of Indian rejections.

Scanning your passport correctly

Download Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens (both free). These apps handle document scanning far better than your regular camera app , they auto-correct perspective and enhance contrast. Open your passport flat on a hard surface in good daylight. Scan in document mode, not photo mode. After scanning, zoom in on the MRZ zone at the very bottom of the bio-data page and verify each character is sharp and individually readable. Save as JPEG or PDF under 2MB.

Does your employment status change any of this?

No. The Vietnam e-visa form does not ask about your employment, income, or professional background at any point. The checklist above applies identically to salaried employees, freelancers, business owners, homemakers, students, retired persons, and NRIs. Every applicant submits the same documents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Documents

Vietnam vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians

Before You Apply , Final Checklist

Common Mistakes Vietnam Travelers Wish They Had Known

Booking non-refundable flights before getting visa approval. The e-visa takes 3 to 5 business days but can extend during Vietnamese public holidays. Always wait for the approval email before booking flights you cannot cancel.

Using a travel agent for the e-visa. Agents in India charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 to fill a 15-minute form available at the official portal for Rs 2,100. The visa you receive is identical. Apply at https://evisa.gov.vn/ directly.

Related: Thailand Visa Bank Balance Requiredns , Full Guide

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Printing only one copy of the approval letter. You need it at two points: the check-in counter at the Indian airport, and Vietnam immigration on arrival. Print two copies and carry both.

Arriving at the airport with only a phone screen. Some immigration counters in Vietnam do not accept phone screens. Physical printed copies are always accepted. Print before you leave home.

Choosing the wrong entry type. Single entry (Rs 2,100) is right for a Vietnam-only trip. Multiple entry (check visa types table for Vietnam fee) is needed if you plan to exit to Cambodia or Laos and return. Confirm which you need before paying.

Vietnam Visa Guide by Departure City