Vietnam Visa You filled in the form, paid, and the screen says the payment failed. Or the status says unpaid, but your bank shows a charge. Or you see two charges. I get this message often, and it is stressful when you fly soon. Stay calm. Most of the fixes are simple, and the worst thing you can do is pay again in a panic.
What the official portal shows when a payment fails
The Immigration Department's portal has a page that says “Payment failed!” and offers a link to try again. That link leads to the page where you look up your application (see the official page). So the portal itself expects you to go back to your application and continue from there, not to start a new one.
The government fee is US$25 for a single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. The portal states that the fee is paid through an electronic payment gateway and is not refunded if the application is refused (evisa.gov.vn). That is one more reason to be careful with every payment attempt.
Step by step: payment failed or shows unpaid
- Stop. Do not pay again yet, and do not start a second application. A new application means paying a government fee again.
- Look at your bank or card app. Is there a charge, a pending hold, or nothing at all? Take a screenshot with the date, amount and merchant name.
- Look up your application. You need your registration code and the email you used. My guide to checking your e-visa status shows where to enter them on evisa.gov.vn.
- If it still shows unpaid and your bank shows no charge, try once more. Use the link on the failed-payment page or the lookup page, not a new form. If it fails again, switch browser or device. This is my own tip, not an official rule.
- Save everything. Screenshots of the error, of your bank statement and of the lookup page. Note the time and your time zone.
- Write to support. The portal has an e-visa support page with the contact details. Send your registration code, your email, the amount and your screenshots in one message.
If you were charged twice
I did not find any official page that explains how the portal handles a double charge. So I will not guess. What I do know is what usually helps in any card payment problem: proof, the exact times, and two parties asked at the same time.
- Send the proof to the portal support page, with both transaction times.
- Call or message your bank. Ask whether one of the two charges is only a hold that will drop off.
- Do not pay a third time to “fix” it.
- Keep the e-visa you actually receive. Check the name and passport number on it character by character. If something is wrong, see how to fix an e-visa mistake.
Because the portal says the fee is not refunded when an application is refused, I would not count on getting a quick answer. Plan your trip as if you need a working e-visa soon.
Make sure you are on the real portal
The Immigration Department said the e-visa portal works on two addresses: evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn, since 11 November 2024 (official notice). If the page you paid on is a different address, stop and check. My site is a private service operated by Joey Visa Vietnam, not a government website, and the bar at the top of every page says so.
How much time do you have?
The official processing time is 3 working days at evisa.gov.vn. I tell travellers to plan for 3–5 working days, because weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count. If a payment problem eats one or two days, a flight in a week gets tight fast. Also see my guide to what to do when an e-visa is still processing.
Payment problems and a flight coming up? Do not wait for the support reply. 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.
Options if you fly soon
If you decide to apply again, you can do it through me. A new application includes the government fee in the price below, and I confirm the time your e-visa will be ready before you pay.
| Option | Single entry, all-in |
|---|---|
| Emergency 1 hour Mon–Fri, apply before 18:00 | US$224 |
| Urgent 4 hours | US$104 |
| Urgent 1 day | US$94 |
| Urgent 2 days | US$74 |
| Urgent 3 days | US$64 |
| Weekend emergency Friday 18:00 to Sunday 15:00 | US$224 |
Multiple entry: add US$25. Government fee included. Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Türkiye: +US$20. See the full price list.
Check the other pages that people read at this moment: urgent Vietnam visa and what to do if an e-visa is refused.
FAQ
Can I get my money back if the payment failed?
If the payment really failed and no money left your account, there is nothing to refund. If your bank shows a charge but the application shows unpaid, send your proof to the official support page and contact your bank. I did not find an official rule for double charges, so I cannot promise an outcome.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Look up your application with your registration code and email on evisa.gov.vn, and check your bank or card app. If the lookup page shows the application as paid or processing, do not pay again.
Should I start a new application after a failed payment?
Not before you have checked the status of the first one. A new application means paying a government fee again. Go back to the lookup page first.
Is the portal fee refunded if my e-visa is refused?
The portal says no: the fee is not refunded if the application is refused. If I submit a new application and it is refused, you get 100% back under my on-time promise.
Official sources: Payment failed notification page · Immigration Department notice: portal addresses from 11 November 2024 · evisa.gov.vn homepage: fee not refunded if the application is refused · Official e-visa support page. Sources checked: 11 Nov 2026.
Related: Check your e-visa status · E-visa refused · E-visa cost · Website not working
