Telephone: (+421) 252451263
E-mail: vnembassy_sk@yahoo.com
On approaching the embassy for Visa application, the embassy officials will take you through a step by step procedure on filling up relevant forms and payment of mandatory fees. At the embassy, you will have to fill up the Visa application form. Along with the form, you will have to submit one recent passport size photo, a self-addressed envelope and your original passport. Besides submitting these documents, you will also have to pay the Visa fees. You can pay the amount in favor of the Embassy of Vietnam by way of check or money order.
The embassy will take at least five working days to process your documents. However, once the documents are processed, you will receive a fully stamped Visa. Although this procedure allows you to get hold of a fully stamped Visa before your departure to Vietnam, there are certain drawbacks. This procedure is quite time consuming and expensive. You will have to visit the embassy several times, which can be a hassle if you are not residing close to the embassy location. Furthermore, your documents will be forwarded by postal mail. This means you are at risk of losing your valuable documents if your package is misplaced or lost in transit.
An easier alternative to this method is applying for Visa on Arrival.
• Apply for Visa on Arrival
In order to apply for Visa on Arrival, you will have to get in touch with a travel agent based in Vietnam. You will be required to fill an online application form and key in details such as your name, occupation, purpose of visit, duration of stay etc. When filling up the purpose of visit section, you will have to choose from options such as business, tourist and transit. A business Visa comes with a validity of one month, three months or six months. A tourist Visa comes with a validity of one month and transit Visa comes with a validity of less than five days. Once you have filled the form, it will be submitted for processing.
Usually online forms are processed in a couple of days. Once your form is processed, you will be sent a letter of approval. On reaching Vietnam, you will have to product this letter of approval at the Visa on Arrival counter of the airport you arrive in. You will also have to submit the Visa stamping fees along with the letter of approval.
It is to be noted that the Visa on Arrival facility is extended only to those travelers who arrive in air. If you are travelling by a land route, you will have to carry all your documents with you while traveling. In case of a cruise ship, the cruise authorities can be contacted for information on Visa on Arrival.
