Vietnam Visa for Switzerland Citizens (2026): Complete Guide

Swiss citizens need a visa for Vietnam, full stop. Despite Switzerland being in the Schengen Area, it is not covered by Vietnam’s unilateral 45-day exemption for select European countries. The 90-day e-visa is your primary tool, and the process is straightforward if you follow the official rules to the letter.

Overview: The Swiss Visitor’s Reality

I’ve watched Swiss friends and visitors navigate this for years. The confusion always stems from the same place: assuming Schengen membership grants them entry. It doesn’t. Vietnam treats visa policy bilaterally, and Switzerland’s agreement is for the e-visa. This is actually an advantage—the 90-day e-visa available to the Swiss is more generous than the 45-day visa-free entry some neighbors get. It’s a single-entry document tied to your passport number, and you must apply online before you board your flight. Landing at Da Nang International Airport without it means being turned back at immigration.

Visa-Free Entry & Required Visas

No, there is no visa-free entry for Swiss passport holders. You must obtain a visa prior to arrival. The sole exception is if you are transiting through an international airport (like Hanoi’s Noi Bai or Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat) and staying airside for your connecting flight. If you plan to step out of the airport, even for a day, you need a visa. The standard and most efficient path for tourism and general visits is the government-issued e-visa, which is valid for up to 90 days. All other visa types, including longer-term business visas, require sponsorship from a Vietnamese entity.

The E-Visa Application: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

You apply on the single, official government portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. I’ve done this myself for visa renewals. The site is functional but basic; have all your files ready before you start. You’ll need to upload a passport-sized photo (JPEG) and a scan of your passport data page (PDF). The photo requirements are strict: a white background, neutral expression, no glasses. I’ve seen applications delayed for shadows on the wall behind the applicant. You then fill in your personal details, intended entry/exit dates, and point of entry—choose carefully, as you can only enter at the airport or border gate you select. Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and the major international airports are all options. Pay the $25 fee online. You’ll receive a registration code to check status. The approval letter typically arrives via email within the stated 3 working days, but apply at least a week before travel to account for glitches.

Documents & Requirements

Gather these first. Missing or incorrect documents are the main cause of rejection.

• Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date and have at least two blank pages. Check the expiry date meticulously.
• Passport Scan: A full-color, clear PDF scan of the biographical data page.
• Photograph: A recent 4x6cm digital portrait with white background. Pro tip: Use a photo service in Switzerland that knows Vietnam’s specs, or a reputable shop in districts like Quận 1 or An Thượng if you’re already abroad.
• Entry/Exit Points & Dates: You must declare your intended port of entry (e.g., Da Nang International Airport, Moc Bai land border) and your entry/exit dates. The e-visa is valid only for that date range.
• Temporary Address in Vietnam: You need to provide the address of your first night’s stay. A hotel in Sơn Trà or a friend’s apartment in Mỹ An is sufficient.

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. Processing is officially 3 working days. In my experience, it often comes through in 2, but I never bank on it. Never use a third-party agent that charges significantly more for “standard” processing; they are just filling the same form. The only reason to use an agent is if you need expedited service or help with a complex business visa application.

Visa Type	Standard Cost	Processing Time	Max Stay
E-Visa (Single Entry)	$25	3 working days	90 days
1-Year Business Visa	Varies ($300-$800+)	5-15 working days	90 days per entry

Note: The business visa requires a sponsoring company in Vietnam and involves more paperwork. The cost is not fixed.

Extending Your Stay

You cannot extend an e-visa. This is the rule. When your 90-day e-visa expires, you must leave Vietnam. The most common run is a “visa run”—a short flight to a neighboring country (Bangkok, Singapore, Vientiane) to apply for a new e-visa and re-enter. This resets the clock. It’s a tedious but well-trodden path for long-term visitors. For a proper extension, you must convert to a different visa type (like a business visa) through a local immigration office, which requires a legal sponsor. This process is bureaucratic, can take weeks, and is best handled by a licensed visa agency in Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options

Vietnam does not have a specific digital nomad visa. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa is a legal gray area. Enforcement is inconsistent but increasing. I know people who have done it for years without issue, but immigration officials are becoming more aware. If you’re planning to stay long-term and work, the safest route is to secure a business visa (DN) or a work permit, which requires a contractual relationship with a Vietnamese entity. Many set up a local company or use employer-of-record services. It’s a significant hurdle, but it provides legal peace of mind. Relying on consecutive e-visas and border runs carries a small but real risk of being denied re-entry at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Incorrect Photo: This is the #1 rejection reason. No shadows, no smiles, plain white background.
• Passport Scan Quality: Blurry scans or cropped edges get rejected. Ensure all four corners of the page are visible.
• Entering Wrong Passport Number: Double-check. A single digit error voids the visa.
• Selecting the Wrong Entry Port: If you put “Da Nang” but fly into “Hanoi,” your visa is invalid. You will not be allowed to enter.
• Cutting Dates Too Close: The e-visa has fixed entry and exit dates. Enter early, and you’re not allowed in. Overstay, and you face daily fines and potential bans.
• Using Unofficial Websites: Countless copycat sites charge double and look official. Bookmark the single .gov.vn address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can Swiss citizens stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?

The e-visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days, single entry. The validity period is fixed to the exact dates you select during application.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from Switzerland?

Yes. There is no separate visa for Da Nang. You need a valid Vietnamese visa, which you will present upon landing at Da Nang International Airport.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa while inside the country?

No. E-visas are non-extendable. You must exit Vietnam before the expiry date. To return, you must apply for a new visa from abroad.

What’s the cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Swiss citizens?

The government fee is $25. Any third-party service charging more is adding a service fee for handling the same application.

Which documents are mandatory for the Vietnamese e-visa application?

You need a digital passport photo (JPEG), a scanned copy of your passport data page (PDF), and the details of your entry/exit points and dates. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity.

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

Technically, no. The e-visa is for tourism and visiting. While common, remote work is not officially permitted and carries a small but non-zero risk of fines or visa revocation if questioned.

Is the e-visa process for Swiss citizens reliable?

Yes, if you use the official site and follow the requirements exactly. The system is standardized. Delays usually stem from applicant error, not system failure.

What happens if my e-visa application is rejected?

You will receive a notice and your $25 fee is not refunded. You must correct the error (often the photo) and submit a new application with a new fee.

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A necessary disclaimer: I live here, but I am not an immigration lawyer. Vietnamese visa regulations can and do change with little notice. The information here is for 2026 planning based on current rules. Always verify requirements directly with the official Vietnam Immigration Department website or through the Vietnamese Embassy in Bern before finalizing travel plans. For maintaining secure access to Swiss banking and other services while in Vietnam, using a reliable VPN is essential; you can find a current analysis of options at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/.