Table of Contents
Flight leaving soon and forgot your visa? Discover how to get an expedited, urgent Vietnam eVisa in as little as 1 to 8 working hours.
The Standard vs. Urgent Processing Dilemma
Standard processing for a Vietnam eVisa via the official government portal takes **3 to 5 working days**. However, this does not account for weekends or Vietnamese public holidays.
If your flight is in 48 hours or less and you haven't applied yet, the standard government portal will not process your visa in time. You will need to use an urgent (expedited) visa service.
How Urgent Processing Works
The Vietnam government portal does not offer a built-in 'rush' button. To get an urgent visa, you must use a specialized, third-party visa agency.
These agencies have established relationships with the Immigration Department and can flag your application for immediate processing. Depending on the agency and how much you are willing to pay, you can get your visa approved in:
- 1-2 working days (Standard Rush)
- 4-8 working hours (Urgent)
- 1-2 working hours (Super Urgent / Emergency)
Working hours in Vietnam are typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ICT - Indochina Time), Monday through Friday. If you apply for a '2-hour' visa on Saturday, you will likely not receive it until Monday morning.
Expected Costs for Urgent Visas
Expedited processing is significantly more expensive than the standard $25 government fee. Prices vary by agency, but generally expect to pay:
- 1-2 working days: $40 - $60 total
- 4-8 working hours: $70 - $100 total
- 1-2 working hours (Emergency): $120 - $200+ total
How to Apply for an Urgent Visa
If you need an urgent visa, follow these steps immediately:
- Find a reputable agency: Look for agencies with verifiable recent reviews on Trustpilot or Google
- Prepare your documents: Have your passport scan and portrait photo ready on your phone or computer
- Contact them first: If you need it within hours, call their hotline or use their WhatsApp to confirm they can deliver before paying
- Submit and Pay: Fill out their expedited form and pay the fee. Keep your phone nearby in case they need to contact you for corrections
What About Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
Prior to 2020, obtaining a rush 'Visa on Arrival approval letter' was the standard method for urgent travel. As of 2026, the traditional tourist VOA is largely phased out in favor of the eVisa. Most 'urgent' services today are actually just expediting the electronic eVisa process, not issuing VOA letters.