Vietnam Visa for Japan Citizens (2026): Complete Guide

Japanese passport holders have one of the most straightforward paths into Vietnam. You get 45 days visa-free. For anything longer, you need the 90-day e-visa. I’ve used both systems from Da Nang, and the difference in convenience is stark.

Overview: Visa-Free vs. E-Visa

Your two main options are the 45-day visa-free exemption or the 90-day single-entry e-visa. There is no digital nomad visa. The rule is simple: if your trip is under 45 days, just book your flight to Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City. For 46 to 90 days, you must get the e-visa before you fly. The 45-day clock resets every time you exit and re-enter Vietnam, a common tactic for long-term visitors.

Visa-Free Entry for Japanese Citizens

You do not need to apply for anything. Your passport gets stamped on arrival with a 45-day permit. I’ve done this at Da Nang International Airport a dozen times. The officer checks your passport’s validity and your onward ticket. The downside is the inflexibility—you cannot extend this stamp. When the 45 days are up, you must leave. Overstaying incurs a fine of about $25 per day, paid in cash at the immigration office before you’re allowed to depart.

The E-Visa Application Process

For stays up to 90 days, the e-visa is mandatory. You must apply online at the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. I recommend applying at least a week before your trip, though processing officially takes about 3 working days. The form is straightforward but exacting. You’ll need a digital passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport’s data page. Any error—a typo, a cropped photo—will cause a rejection, and the $25 fee is non-refundable. Once approved, you print the single-page e-visa PDF and present it with your passport at immigration.

Required Documents & Information

For the e-visa, gather these first:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date.
• A high-resolution digital passport photo (4x6 cm, white background, no glasses).
• A scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page.
• Your entry/exit dates and intended port of entry (e.g., Da Nang, Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat).
• A temporary address in Vietnam (your first hotel or Airbnb is fine).

The photo requirements are strict. I’ve seen applications fail because of shadow or incorrect sizing. Use a professional service or a reliable app. You cannot change any details after submission; a mistake means a new application and another $25.

Typical Processing Times & Costs

The government fee is a flat $25 for a single-entry, 90-day e-visa. You pay this online via the portal. Avoid third-party “expedited” services that charge $50 or more—they fill out the same form and offer no real guarantee of faster approval. Processing is typically 3 days, but can stretch to 5 during holidays like Tet. Plan accordingly.

Visa Type	Max Stay	Cost	Processing Time	Can It Be Extended?
Visa-Free	45 days	$0	On Arrival	No
E-Visa	90 days	$25	~3 days	Yes, in-country
1-Year Business Visa	1 year	~$400-$800	~5-10 days	N/A

Extending Your Stay in Vietnam

You can extend a 90-day e-visa, but you cannot do it yourself. You must use a licensed visa agent. In Da Nang, agents in the An Thượng or Mỹ An districts can handle this. The process takes about 5-7 days, requires surrendering your passport, and costs about $120-$180 for a 30-day extension. It’s a bureaucratic hassle, but it works. Alternatively, a “visa run”—flying to a nearby country like Thailand or Singapore and re-entering on a new visa-free period or e-visa—is often cheaper and faster.

Long-Term Stays & Remote Work

There is no dedicated digital nomad or remote work visa. Long-term residents typically use three methods: consecutive e-visas with visa runs, a sponsored business visa (which requires a Vietnamese company to act as your sponsor), or a student visa for language studies. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa is a legal gray area. While common, it violates the terms of the visa if you are generating income from Vietnamese soil. Enforcement is rare but not impossible. For true long-term stability, the business visa is the only reliable, legal path, but it requires proper setup and sponsorship.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Name Mismatches: Ensure the name on your e-visa application matches your passport exactly, including middle names. Airlines will deny boarding if they don’t match.
• Port of Entry: You must enter Vietnam at the specific airport (e.g., Da Nang) you listed on your e-visa. You cannot change it later.
• The “90-Day” E-Visa Trap: The e-visa is single-entry. If you take a weekend trip to Siem Reap, your visa is invalidated. You must apply for a new one to re-enter.
• Over-Reliance on Free Wi-Fi: Use a secure connection when submitting your e-visa application. Public cafe Wi-Fi in districts like Sơn Trà is not secure. For ongoing internet security, I use a VPN. Our team has a detailed guide on the best options for Vietnam at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/.
• Agent Scams: Only use the official government website for the e-visa. Countless copycat sites charge double for the same service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can Japanese citizens stay in Vietnam without a visa?

45 days. This is a visa exemption, not a visa. You get a stamp on arrival. It is not extendable.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from Japan for two weeks?

No. For any stay of 45 days or less, you do not need any visa. Just have a passport with at least six months validity and an onward ticket.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa from within Vietnam?

Yes, but only through a registered visa agent. You cannot apply directly with immigration. The standard 30-day extension costs about $150 and takes up to a week.

What is the official cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Japanese citizens?

The government fee is $25 USD. This is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected due to an error.

Which documents do I need to prepare for the e-visa application?

You need a digital passport photo (white background, 4x6 cm), a scanned copy of your passport’s data page, your entry/exit dates, your entry airport, and your first night’s accommodation address.

Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist visa or e-visa?

Technically, no. These visas are for tourism. While many remote workers do this without issue, you are not legally permitted to conduct business or earn an income while on a tourist e-visa. The risk of enforcement is low but present.

Is the 45-day visa-free period single or multiple entry?

It is single entry per stamp. However, you can leave (e.g., to Laos) and return immediately to get a new 45-day stamp. This is a standard “visa run” practice.

What happens if my e-visa application is rejected?

You lose the $25 fee. You must correct the error and submit a brand new application with another $25 payment. There is no appeal process.

Disclaimer: Visa and immigration regulations change. This guide is based on rules and personal experience as of early 2026. Always verify requirements directly with the official Vietnam Immigration Department (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or the Vietnamese Embassy before finalizing travel plans.