Vietnam Visa Your e-visa arrived by email as a PDF. Now the doubt starts. Is it real? Is it correct? Will the airline accept it? I get these questions every day, and the answer is simple: check it yourself, on the official portal, before you leave home.
Step 1: check it on the official portal
- Open evisa.gov.vn, the official portal (evisa.gov.vn). Type the address yourself. The Immigration Department announced that the portal works on evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn (official notice).
- Choose the option to search or check your e-visa.
- Enter your registration code (it starts with E), the email and the date of birth, exactly as in your application. Type the security code and search.
- Read the status. If it shows your approved e-visa there, it is real.
If the portal shows nothing, do not panic. Check the code, the email and the date of birth for typos. My guide on checking your e-visa status shows what each status means.
Step 2: check the details on the PDF
Compare the e-visa with your passport photo page, character by character:
- Full name: exactly as in your passport, letter for letter.
- Date of birth and passport number: the same as on your passport.
- Passport: if you renewed your passport, the e-visa must show the passport you travel with.
- Entry date: on or before the day you arrive. You cannot enter before it.
- Entry port: the airport or border gate where you will actually arrive.
This matters. The Government of Canada tells travellers to make sure the application details match the passport exactly, and says the e-visa lets you enter through the port of entry shown in the approval (travel.gc.ca). Australia's Smartraveller says errors in visa details can mean a fee at check-in, denied boarding or refused entry (smartraveller.gov.au).
What to carry
- The e-visa, printed. Download and print it before you fly. The airline may refuse to board you without a valid one.
- A copy on your phone, saved offline, in case the printout is lost.
- The passport named on the e-visa. The UK government says your passport needs an expiry date at least 6 months after you arrive and at least 2 blank pages (gov.uk).
If something is wrong
Do not fly on an e-visa that does not match your passport. What you do depends on where the problem is:
| Your situation | What to do | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Still processing, wrong name or passport number | New application (the old one cannot be fixed) | Pay the US$25 government fee again |
| Already issued, with a mistake in personal details | Correction (entry through international airports only) | US$75 |
| Already issued, need a different entry date | Date change | US$90 |
See how to fix an e-visa mistake, e-visa still processing and how to enter your name.
Your e-visa does not match your passport and you fly in the next three days? Send me both photos. From 1 hour on weekdays, weekends too, all-in from US$64. I confirm the time before you pay.
On the application form, enter the code PAUL03 in “Add Your Coupon”. On time or your money back. Refused new application: 100% refund.
Fake sites and look-alikes
The official portal is evisa.gov.vn. My website is a private service operated by Joey Visa Vietnam, not a government website, and the bar at the top of every page says so. If you are unsure whether a site is official, check the address, and check your e-visa on evisa.gov.vn. Read is Vietnam Visa with Paul legit for how to check me too.
FAQ
How do I know my Vietnam e-visa is genuine?
Open evisa.gov.vn, search with your registration code, email and date of birth, and check that your approved e-visa shows there. If it shows there, it is real.
Do I need to print my Vietnam e-visa?
Yes, download and print it before you fly, and keep a copy on your phone. The airline may refuse to board you without a valid e-visa.
What if the name on my e-visa is wrong?
Do not fly on it. If the application is still processing, you need a new application and pay the US$25 government fee again. If it is already issued, a correction costs US$75 for entry through international airports.
Can I change the entry date on an issued e-visa?
Yes, a date change costs US$90. The e-visa must also match the day you arrive, because you cannot enter before the entry date.
Official sources: evisa.gov.vn: official portal · Immigration Department notice: portal addresses · Government of Canada: Vietnam travel advice (details must match, entry port) · Smartraveller (Australia): Vietnam travel advice (visa details) · UK FCDO: Vietnam entry requirements (passport validity). Sources checked: 13 Nov 2026.
Related: Check your e-visa status · Fix an e-visa mistake · Name format · Is it legit? · Urgent Vietnam visa · Cut-off times
