Why is my Vietnam eVisa delayed? 5 common reasons & How to fix

5 Common reasons your Vietnam eVisa is delayed

1. Errors in personal information or passport details

One of the biggest causes of a Vietnam eVisa delay is wrong or mismatched information in the application form, especially:

• Incorrect name (spelling, middle names, order of given name and family name)
• Wrong date of birth or passport number
• Wrong nationality or passport type

If the system detects a mismatch, it may either ask for an amendment or pause your application for manual review, which can take extra days.

What should you do?

• Cross-check every application field against your passport before submitting
• Respond to any amendment request within 24 – 48 hours
• Use your full legal name exactly as printed in your passport, no nicknames or abbreviations

2. Photo and passport scan Issues

Vietnam eVisas have strict rules for photo and passport scan quality. If your Vietnam eVisa photo or passport bio page scan does not meet the requirements, it can cause processing delays or amendment requests.

Portrait photo common issues:

• Wrong file size or format, must be JPG or PNG under 2 MB
• Colored, patterned, or non-white background
• Visible headwear including hats, caps, or headscarves
• Sunglasses or tinted lenses
• Lens reflections that partially obscure the eyes
• Heavy editing, filters, or beauty app effects that alter natural appearance
• Using the same image for both the portrait photo and passport page fields

Passport bio page common issues:

• Blurry or poorly lit scan
• Tilted or angled image
• Cut-off corners that do not show the full page
• Shadows or glare obscuring text or personal details
• ICAO lines at the bottom of the page not fully visible
• Cropped edges hiding passport number or expiry date

What should you do?

• Retake the photo: 4×6 cm, white background, no headwear or tinted lenses
• Re-scan the passport bio page flat, well-lit, all four corners visible
• Check your email for an amendment request and reupload promptly

Correct passport photo requirements for Vietnam visa applications

3. Missing required supporting documents

While most Vietnam e-visa applications are processed using the standard submission form, certain applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation for further verification. These may include:

• Return flight ticket
• Proof of accommodation such as a confirmed hotel booking
• Evidence of sufficient financial means for the intended stay
• A sponsor or invitation letter for business visa applicants
• Full legal name as it appears in the ICAO line of the passport, including middle name

Note that e-passport holders from certain countries may not be eligible for a Vietnam e-visa and could face automatic rejection at the processing stage.

What should you do?

• Prepare supporting documents including return flight confirmation, hotel booking, and financial proof before submitting your application
• For business visa applications, obtain a formal sponsor letter from the inviting company in Vietnam in advance

4. System or website issues

Sometimes e-visa delay has nothing to do with your application. The official portal at evisa.gov.vn may experience:

• System errors such as “internal error” or “something went wrong”
• Slow loading times or temporary outages
• Applications stuck in processing with no status movement for several hours

What should you do?

• Wait 1–2 working days before taking any further action
• Do not resubmit the same application, duplicate submissions can create confusion and further delay processing
• Contact us: (+84) 856 598 868 or info@simplevietnamvisa.com for the latest updates

5. High season application timing

Your Vietnam eVisa may be delayed simply because there are too many applications at the same time. This is common during:

• Peak tourist seasons (summer, Christmas, Tet holidays,…).
• Special promotion periods when many travelers rush to apply.

During high application volume, the system simply takes longer to process each request, even if your form is perfectly correct.

What should you do?

• Submit your application at least 2–3 weeks before departure
• Avoid applying immediately before public holidays or long weekends

Vietnam’s Important Holidays throughout the Year

What to do if your Vietnam eVisa is still delayed?

1. Check your application status online

Before taking any further action, confirm your actual application status rather than assuming a delay has occurred.

• Check your email spam and promotions folders, approval notifications occasionally land there
• Visit the official portal at evisa.gov.vn and navigate to “Check Status” or “Support”
• Enter your application code and registered email address
• If you applied through a visa agency, please contact the agency directly for application updates and support

2. Fix errors or request an update

Once your status is confirmed, take one of the following actions depending on what you find:

• If an amendment request has been issued: correct your personal details, photo, or passport scan and resubmit within 24–48 hours
• If the status shows “processing” with no movement: send an email to foreigners@xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn with the following:
  • Subject line: “Request for update on Vietnam e-visa application [code: XXXXXXXX]”
  • Body: full name, passport number, application code, travel date, and a brief inquiry: “Is my application under review or facing any issue?”

3. Consider urgent processing or alternative entry options

If your departure date is approaching and the delay remains unresolved, consider the following:

• Switch to urgent Vietnam e-visa processing (24–48 hours)
• Explore Vietnam visa on arrival as a backup, provided you have all required documents and your airline supports this entry method

For immediate assistance, reach out via:

• Phone/WhatsApp: (+84) 856 598 868
• Email: info@simplevietnamvisa.com

*Visa requirements and regulations are referenced based on the official guidelines from the Immigration Department of Vietnam

Frequently asked questions