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Standard eVisa processing is suspended during weekends. Review the timeline expectations and emergency procedures for weekend travel.
Immigration Department Operating Hours
The Vietnam Immigration Department's processing division operates from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Vietnam Standard Time, GMT+7). If you submit an application via the National Web Portal on Immigration on a Saturday or Sunday, processing will not commence until the next business day.
Weekend Processing Timeline
A common consideration for travelers is understanding how weekends impact the standard 3 to 5 working-day processing time. For example:
- Application submitted on Thursday evening.
- Friday counts as Working Day 1.
- Saturday and Sunday are non-working days.
- Monday counts as Working Day 2.
- Tuesday counts as Working Day 3.
In this scenario, an eVisa submitted on Thursday evening may not be issued until Tuesday afternoon, resulting in a total timeline of five calendar days.
Emergency Procedures for Weekend Travel
If you are scheduled to travel on a weekend and do not possess a valid eVisa, applying through the standard government portal will not result in timely processing, and airlines will deny boarding without valid entry authorization.
- Rescheduling Travel: Modifying the flight departure to mid-week allows sufficient time to apply for an eVisa under standard processing timelines.
- Visa on Arrival (Emergency Authorization): Certain specialized visa agencies can facilitate an emergency Visa on Arrival (VOA) approval letter over the weekend by coordinating directly with immigration officers at the entry port.
Emergency VOA services incur significant fees (often exceeding $150 to $250) and are exclusively permitted for arrivals at major international airports (such as SGN, HAN, or DAD). This method is not valid for entry via land borders or seaports. The standard $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry eVisa remains the required authorization for entry.