Complete guide to applying for Vietnam visa for Latvian citizens
The citizens of Latvia is not included in the visa exemption list; therefore, all Latvian need to apply visa to Vietnam for either tourism or business purpose.
Vietnam visa is required for all Latvian citizens;
Latvian citizens are eligible for maximum 90 days single or multiple entry e-visa;
Latvian citizens can get visa on arrival with pre-arranged visa approval letter;
Latvian citizens can get a rush Vietnam visa in 4 working hours or 1 working day.
At present, there are 3 options for the Latvian citizens applying for Vietnam visa:
1. Apply for e-visa Vietnam
This is new pilot visa system which has just official launched in February 2017. In order to apply for e-visa for Vietnam, the Latvian citizens will prepare a file of passport copy and recently taken photo (it should show your full face, straight eyes look without glasses, light colored plain or white background). The e-visa fee (including the service fee and stamping fee) is paid once when the Latvian citizens apply for e-visa, thus no cash is required at arrival airport.
Vietnam e-visa is good for those who travel Vietnam less than 90 days with single or multiple entry. Since the visa fee is paid once when applying for visa, the travelers don’t have to bring cash for stamping fee at immigration counter therefore, the visa process at arrival airport is faster accordingly.
How to apply e-visa for Vietnam?
Step 1: Fill in the visa application form with required information.
Step 2: Pay the visa fee and get e-visa in maximum 3 – 5 working days (2 hours, 4 hours or 1 working day for a rush visa).
Step 3: Receive an email containing e-visa upon successful application. Please print out the e-visa, bring along with your passport to get on the plane.
Step 4: Present your e-visa at the immigration counter to get entry into Vietnam.
Common issues with Vietnam e-visa application for Latvian citizens
- Lengly processing time: Normally, it takes 3 – 5 working days to complete an e-visa. However, if you filled in the form with the incorrect information or photos, the processing time will be extended. This may affect to your trip to Vietnam as you can not board the plane with an “in processing” e-visa;
- Typos or spelling mistakes: If you complete the form with the data that doesn’t match your passport details, the visa application will be denied and need to be amended. Many United States travellers forget their middle name when filling in the form, thus more 3 – 5 working days is needed for the visa approval;
- Images quality: If you uploaded a poor quality or incorrect images your visa application will be denied. Please prepare the images of passport and portrait at good quality that all the information can be read easily.
- The address in Vietnam: You will need to provide with the specific address of a temporary residence in Vietnam. Please do not fill in the form with the name of hotel only, but write down the hotel address including the street, ward, district and province (or city).
- Apply for e-visa when you are inside of Vietnam: It is not possible to apply for an e-visa when you are still staying in Vietnam. In order to apply for a new visa to stay long in Vietnam, you will need to fly out of the country and make an application from outside of the country.
- Visa fee reimbursement: If your visa is rejected by the Vietnam Immigration Department, your money will not be refunded.
In case you have any problem with your visa on arrival or e-visa application, you please contact us as soon as possible, we can help you expedite an urgent visa, or speed up the e-visa process or even correct your granted e-visa at the last minutes.
2. Apply for a visa at the Vietnam Embassy
Since there is no representative office of Vietnam’s government in Latvia at present, the foreigners (including Latvian citizens and other nationalities residing in Latvia) are suggested to contact the nearest Vietnamese Embassy in neighboring countries: Finland, Sweden, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic and Ukraine to get pre-stamped visa.
3. Apply for Vietnam visa on arrival
If it is inconvenient for you to visit the Vietnam Embassy in neighboring countries, you may select Vietnam visa on arrival to simplify your visa application process.
Visa on arrival is an alternative way to obtain a visa to Vietnam in addition to the traditional way of obtaining a visa at Vietnam Embassy or Consulates. Once issued, it has same validity with the visa get from Vietnamese Embassy or Consulates. However, visa on arrival is applicable for those who travel Vietnam by airplane only.
