Vietnam visa requirements for the United Kingdom (British) citizens

The citizens of the United Kingdom (the issuing state code on the passport is GBR) are exempt from a Vietnam visa for 45 days. However, travellers must ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank pages. In certain cases, a return flight ticket may also be required to demonstrate intent to leave the country within 45 days.

Required documents

As citizens of the United Kingdom don’t require a visa for Vietnam for up to 45 days, travellers need only a valid passport and a round-trip air ticket to enter the country.

How to travel to Vietnam with a visa exemption?

If United Kingdom citizens plan to stay in Vietnam for less than 45 days, they just need a valid passport and a round-trip air ticket to get on the plane. At the eligible 83 entry ports (airports, land ports or seaports), they will be required to present the necessary documents again at the passport control upon entry into Vietnam.
If 45 days of visa exemption is not long enough, U.K. passport holders can apply for a visa valid for up to 90 days.

The issues that the United Kingdom may encounter when entering Vietnam

Although United Kingdom travellers are not required to obtain a visa for Vietnam, they may still encounter unforeseen issues. One common concern is that their passports are not valid long enough (the passport validity must be at least 6 months beyond the date of entry). Therefore, United Kingdom visitors are strongly advised to check their passports’ expiration dates to ensure they meet the entry requirements. In cases where the passport is valid for less than 6 months but more than 3 months, travellers may apply for a rush visa, which can allow them to enter Vietnam safely.
A temporary passport will not be accepted for entry into Vietnam under any circumstances.

What should UK citizens do to travel Vietnam more than 45 days?

British citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business under Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption policy. If they want to stay longer than 45 days, they have several legal options:

Option 1: Apply for a 90-day e-visa (recommended)

The simplest option is to apply for a 90 days e-visa before travelling to Vietnam. With a 90 days e-visa you will have the benefits as below:

• Stay for up to 90 days as single or multiple entry.
• No need to rely on the 45-day visa exemption.

Option 2: Enter visa-free, then activate an e-visa

If a British citizen has already entered Vietnam using the 45-day visa exemption and later decides to stay longer, they must leave Vietnam before the 45-day exemption expires then apply for a new visa from outside Vietnam and re-enter using the approved e-visa (up to 90-day validity).

Option 3: Enter visa-free multiple times

Before the first 45-day exemption expires the travellers leave the country and then re-enter with another 45-day exemption. At present, there is no limit on the number of visa-free entries for UK citizens.

How to apply for an emergency visa with a passport valid for less than 6 months?

If U.K. travellers hold a passport with less than 6 months’ validity but more than 1 month remaining from the date of exit, they may apply for an emergency visa to enter Vietnam. To begin the process, follow the steps below:

Prepare a clear copy of your passport and a recent portrait photo. The photos must be of high quality, showing all details clearly;

Complete the visa application form and upload the photo of passport and portrait photo;

Make payment for the emergency visa application using credit cards, Wise or PayPal;

Receive your visa within the processing timeframe you selected when placing your order;

Save a copy of the visa on your phone and present it together with your passport when boarding your flight and get an entry stamp at the arrival airport.

Frequently asked questions