Vietnam Passport and Visa Information

Passport

To study abroad, you must have a signed, valid passport from your country of citizenship that will not expire for a minimum of six months after your planned return date. If you do not have a passport, or it's about to expire, make sure you apply for or renew it as soon as possible! U.S. Citizens can refer to the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information about passports and processing time.

Visa FAQs

“Do I need a student visa?”

You must obtain a student visa if you will be in the country for 90 days or more, such as being enrolled in a semester or yearlong program. A student visa is official permission by a foreign government to live and take classes in that country. It typically comes in the form of a stamp or sticker that is placed directly onto a page in your passport.

“How do I get a student visa?”

U.S. passport holders will apply for a student visa through Vietnam consulates prior to departure, with the assistance of the host university.

Visas are granted at the discretion of the Vietnamese embassy and consulates, and they are not guaranteed. Student visas are an activity of foreign governments and USAC does not manage this process. The entire visa process includes gathering application materials, application submission, and application processing time.

“When should students apply for their visa?”

USAC recommends students apply for their visa two months before the start of the program’s start date (subject to change). Students will be prompted by their Program Advisor on when to start this process.

“How long does it take to get a visa?”

There are two parts to this answer:

For the student:

Preparing to apply for your visa can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks (minimum). If a student needs to provide additional documents, it will take longer to process your application. Processing time should be considered.

For the consulates:

Once you submit your visa application to the consulate, processing of your visa can take 5-6 weeks or longer. Additionally, certain consulates may require you to schedule an appointment and appear in-person to apply for and/or pick up your visa. Requesting the use of a specific consulate also requires adhering to their availability. If you are required to travel personally for your visa, this will be at your own expense as part of the visa process. Please keep in mind that consulates may not be responsive and may refer you to their website to answer your questions during your visa processing time. USAC is not responsible for any changes made by the consulate.

“Can I still travel while applying for a student visa?”

No. Traveling internationally prior to the start of your study abroad program may not be possible and can interfere with your visa application process.

“Does USAC help with the student visa process?”

Yes, your Program Advisor will guide you through this process as best as possible. USAC’s well-traveled staff has worked to help thousands of students get their first passport stamps. Consulates continuously update and change information on their websites, and USAC does its best to communicate updates to students. However, it is also the student’s responsibility to check the consulate’s website during the visa submission process, too.