When applying through the embassy, you will have to fill up the application form in English. You will also have to mention the place of collection and submission of the Visa as Vietnam. Along with the duly filled form, you will be required to submit a recent passport size photograph, a self-addressed envelope and your original passport. Along with the documents, you will be required to submit the Visa fees, which can be made in favor of the Embassy of Vietnam through money order or cashier’s cheque.
The embassy will take at least five working days to process your documents. While applying, make sure that your passport has a validity of at least six months from the date of your departure from Vietnam and a few blank pages for stamping. Once the documents are processed, you will be issued a fully stamped Visa. Usually, the Visa issued by the embassy is for single entry. If you wish a multiple entry Visa, you can mention it in your application form and pay additional fees for the same. Although this method allows you to get a fully stamped Visa before you departure to Vietnam, it is quite expensive and time taking.
If you wish to apply for Visa through correspondence, you will have to send in all your documents through postal mail. This can be quite risky as you stand to lose your documents if there is misplacement of your package or loss in transit.
The easier then more convenient method of applying for Visa for Somalian citizens is applying for Visa on Arrival. To apply for Visa on Arrival, you will have to get in touch with a reliable travel agent in Vietnam. You will be required to fill an online application form with your details such as your name, address, occupation, purpose of visit, duration of stay etc. While filling in your purpose of visit, you will have to choose from options such as business, tourist and transit.
A business Visa allows you validity of one month, three months and six months. A tourist Visa allows you a validity of one month and transit Visa allows you a validity of less than five days. Once your online application is processed, you will be issued a letter of approval. Your travel agent can collect this letter of approval for you and have it forwarded to you.
On reaching Vietnam, you will be required to submit this letter of approval at the Visa on Arrival counter of the airport you arrive in to collect your Visa on Arrival. Along with the letter of approval, you will have to submit the Visa stamping fees.
It is to be noted that the Visa on Arrival facility is extended only to those travelers who arrive in Vietnam by air.
