Visa Dossier · April 2026
A practical guide for Polish citizens on getting a Vietnam visa in 2026, based on two years of expat experience. Covers e-visas, costs, pitfalls, and long-term options.
Vietnam Visa for Poland Citizens (2026): Complete Guide
You need a visa. Full stop. As a Polish citizen, you have zero days of visa-free entry to Vietnam, a fact I confirmed the hard way when a friend’s last-minute trip from Warsaw to Hanoi nearly got grounded. The official e-visa is your primary tool, and the process is straightforward if you follow the rules.
Visa-Free Entry & Required Visas
Poland is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list. I’ve met Poles in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City who arrived thinking the ASEAN travel norms applied to them; they were wrong. You must secure a visa before arrival or obtain a visa-on-arrival approval letter through a licensed agency (not the government site). The e-visa, introduced in 2023 and extended to 90 days in 2025, is now the most reliable and official method for tourism and business. It’s valid for air, land, and sea entry at 33 ports, including Da Nang (DAD) and Tan Son Nhat (SGN) airports.
The E-Visa Application: A Walkthrough
You apply on the single, official government portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. I’ve used it twice for renewals from my apartment in An Thượng. The interface is functional, not fancy. You’ll need to upload a JPEG portrait photo (white background, no glasses) and a scanned JPEG of your passport data page. The form asks for your exact entry/exit dates and port of entry—choose correctly, as changes are impossible. A mistake here means a new application and another $25. After payment, you receive a registration code. Processing typically takes three working days, but I’ve seen it take five during holiday periods like Tet. You’ll download the e-visa as a PDF; print two copies and save one on your phone.
Documents & Requirements
The list is short, but the devil is in the details.
- Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date and have two blank pages. I’ve seen travelers turned away at check-in in Warsaw for having only five months of validity.
- Photo: A recent 4x6cm passport-style photo, white background, facing straight. Selfies against a wall often fail the automated system. Spend $5 at a photo shop in Poland.
- Application Form: The digital form on the government site. Double-check every character against your passport. Your name must match exactly, including middle names.
- Payment: An international debit or credit card. The site occasionally has payment gateway hiccups. If it fails, wait an hour before retrying.
The e-visa is single-entry. If you plan to hop to Laos from Hue or fly to Bangkok for a weekend, you’ll need a new visa to re-enter Vietnam.
Typical Processing Times & Costs
Ignore any third-party site charging more than the government fee. The price is fixed.
| Visa Type | Cost (USD) | Processing Time | Entry Type | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-Visa | $25 | 3-5 working days | Single | 90 days |
| Visa-on-Arrival Letter* | $20-$50 | 1-2 working days | Single | 30/90 days |
| 1-Year Business Visa** | ~$400 | ~2 weeks | Multiple | Up to 1 year |
*Arranged through a licensed agency, not the government. You pick up the visa at the “Landing Visa” counter upon arrival, paying an additional $25 stamping fee in cash. Adds 30+ minutes to your arrival process.
***Requires a sponsoring company in Vietnam. This is the common path for long-term expats, not tourists.
The e-visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected or your plans change.
Extending Your Stay
You cannot extend an e-visa. This is a critical point. When your 90 days are up, you must leave. The most common run is a “visa bounce”: a short flight to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, or Vientiane. You can apply for a new e-visa from abroad and re-enter. I’ve done this via a four-day trip to Siem Reap. Alternatively, from within Vietnam, a local travel agency can often arrange a new visa-on-arrival letter for you, but you must still exit and re-enter the country to activate it. This process is bureaucratic, not instantaneous; allow at least a week for the new paperwork.
Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options
Vietnam does not have a digital nomad visa, despite the rumors that circulate in Da Nang’s coworking spaces. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa is a legal gray area. Immigration rarely checks, but it violates the terms of a tourist visa. For stays beyond one year, the standard expat path is the 1-Year Temporary Residence Card (TRC), tied to a business visa. This requires a Vietnamese company to sponsor you, often an employer or a shell company set up for this purpose. The process is complex, costs about $500-$800 through an agent, and takes a month. Many long-term residents in districts like Tay Ho (Hanoi) or Son Tra (Da Nang) hold these.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Using Unofficial Sites: Countless .com sites mimic the government portal, charging double for the same service. Bookmark the official .gov.vn address.
- Incorrect Port of Entry: If your e-visa says “Tan Son Nhat Airport” and you land in “Da Nang Airport,” you will be denied boarding or entry.
- Photo Rejections: Blurry backgrounds, shadows, or incorrect sizing cause 80% of rejections. Get it done professionally.
- Last-Minute Applications: Applying less than a week before travel is risky. Government processing halts during national holidays.
- Overstaying: The fine is about $50 per day, and you may be banned from re-entering. Set a calendar alert.
- Internet Security: When applying or managing sensitive documents online, especially on public Wi-Fi in cafes, use a reliable VPN. I followed our guide at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/ to choose mine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Polish citizens stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?
The e-visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days. It is single-entry. This is the standard and longest tourist visa available.
Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from Poland?
Yes. You need a visa to enter Vietnam at any port, including Da Nang International Airport. The e-visa is valid for entry here.
Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa from within the country?
No. E-visas are non-extendable. You must exit Vietnam before the 90-day expiry and obtain a new visa to return.
What is the exact cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Polish citizens?
The government fee is $25 USD. Any third-party site charging more is adding a service fee. Payment is made online during the application.
Which documents do I need to upload for the e-visa application?
You need two JPEG files: a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page and a digital passport photo (4x6cm, white background). The system is strict about file format and size.
Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist e-visa?
Technically, no. The e-visa is for tourism or business visits (meetings, etc.). While remote work is rarely detected, it is not a legal use of the visa and carries risk if questioned by immigration.
Is the visa-on-arrival option still available for Polish citizens?
Yes, but it’s not an “e-visa.” You must pre-arrange an approval letter through a licensed agency, then get the visa stamped on arrival. It often takes longer at the airport than entering with a ready e-visa.
What if my e-visa application is rejected?
Rejections are rarely explained. You can reapply immediately, paying the $25 fee again. Carefully review your photo and data entries for errors before submitting a new application.
A final note: I’ve lived here since 2024, and visa rules shift. The 90-day e-visa itself is a recent change. Always verify requirements directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or the Vietnamese embassy in Warsaw before finalizing travel plans. This guide is based on my experience and the regulations as of early 2026.