Planning to visit Vietnam? Understanding the Vietnam visa for Greek citizens is the first step to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. If you are traveling for tourism, business, or to see family, you need a visa to enter Vietnam if you have a Greek passport.
In this guide, we will help you understand the types of visas for Vietnam. We will cover how to apply, the fees, and important tips. This will make your Vietnam visa process easier.
Do Greek citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Greek citizens do need a visa to enter Vietnam, regardless of whether their purpose of travel is tourism, business, or visiting relatives, with the exception of certain special cases of visa exemption (usually those with temporary residence cards, permanent residence cards, or 5-year visa exemption certificates). Currently, Vietnam does not have a bilateral visa exemption policy for Greek citizens. This means that all citizens holding Greek passports must obtain a visa before traveling to Vietnam.
Understanding the Vietnam visa requirements for Greek citizens is the first and most crucial step to ensure your trip is not interrupted. Fortunately, there are several options for obtaining a visa, from online applications to submitting documents at the Embassy.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa from Greece
For Greek citizens, there are two primary methods to apply for a Vietnam visa: applying for an e-visa online or submitting an application at the Vietnam Embassy in Greece. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, suiting different traveler needs and circumstances.
Apply for Vietnam e-visa (recommended option)
The electronic visa (e-visa) is the most recommended option for the majority of Greek travelers due to its convenience, speed, and ease of application. Greek citizens can apply for an e-visa online without needing to visit an Embassy or Consulate. This is a single-entry visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days.
Benefits of an e-visa:
- Convenience: Apply anytime, anywhere with an internet connection.
- Speed: Application processing typically takes 3-5 working days.
- Simplicity: Straightforward process with minimal paperwork.
- Cost-effective: E-visa fees are generally fixed and transparent.
Process for applying for a Vietnam e-visa for Greek citizens:
- Access the official E-visa Portal of the Vietnam Immigration Department: You can visit xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn directly or use trusted service partners like Entry Vietnam Visa for assistance.
- Fill out the information: Complete the online visa application form with your personal details, passport information, and estimated travel itinerary in Vietnam.
- Note: Ensure all information entered is accurate and exactly matches your passport. Even a small error can lead to visa refusal or issues upon entry.
- Upload photos:
- Digital passport-style photo (4×6 cm, white background, frontal view, no glasses).
- Photo of your passport data page (the page with your photo and personal information).
- Tip: Ensure photos are clear, without glare or blur.
- Pay the fee: Pay the e-visa fee online using a credit/debit card. This fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
- Receive results: After submitting your application and payment, you will receive an application code. You can use this code to check your application status. Once the visa is approved, you will receive your e-visa via email.
- Print e-visa: Print your e-visa on paper to present at the immigration checkpoint upon arrival in Vietnam.
E-visa processing time:
Typically, e-visas are processed within 3-5 working days. However, during peak seasons or cases requiring additional verification, the processing time may extend. If you need an urgent visa, Entry Vietnam Visa provides urgent visa & emergency Vietnam visa and expedited pending e-visa services to ensure you receive your visa on time.
Apply at the Vietnam Embassy in Greece
The second option is to apply for a visa directly at the Vietnam Embassy in Greece. This is a suitable choice if you need to apply for special visa types, visas with a validity longer than 90 days, or if you have specific reasons preventing you from applying for an e-visa.
Process for applying for a visa at the Vietnam Embassy in Athens:
- Prepare documents:
- Visa application form (usually available at the Embassy or downloadable from the Embassy’s website).
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months from your intended entry date into Vietnam and with at least 2 blank pages.
- Passport-sized photos (4×6 cm, white background, frontal view, no glasses).
- Invitation letter (if applying for a business/visiting relatives visa) or hotel booking/round-trip flight confirmation (for tourist visa).
- Any additional documents required by the Embassy depending on your visa type and purpose of travel.
- Submit application: Personally visit the Vietnam Embassy in Athens during working hours to submit your application and attend an interview (if required).
- Pay fees: Pay the visa fee according to the Embassy’s regulations. This fee may differ from the e-visa fee.
- Receive results: The Embassy will inform you of the collection time. Once the visa is approved, you will receive your passport with the visa stamped inside.
Comparison of E-visa and Embassy Visa:
| Criterion | E-visa (Online) | Embassy Visa (Offline) |
| Convenience | High (apply from home) | Low (requires visiting the Embassy) |
| Processing Time | Fast (3-5 working days) | Longer (typically 5-7 working days or more) |
| Documents | Fewer (passport, photo) | More (passport, photo, invitation letter, flight ticket…) |
| Visa Validity | Maximum 90 days, single entry | Diverse (from 1 month to 1 year, multiple entries) |
| Purpose | Tourism, short-term business | Long-term tourism, business, visiting relatives, study |
| Cost | Fixed, paid online | May vary, paid directly at the Embassy |
| Recommended for | Most travelers, urgent needs | Special cases, long-term, multiple-entry visas |
In general, if you are a Greek citizen planning a short-term tourist or business trip, an e-visa is the optimal choice. If you require more complex visa types or have specific reasons, applying at the Embassy is necessary.
Vietnam visa fees for Greek citizens
The cost of a Vietnam visa for Greek citizens will depend on the visa type you choose and where you submit your application.
- E-visa Fees: The government fee for an e-visa is typically 25 USD for a single entry. If you use Entry Vietnam Visa’s services, there will be an additional service fee depending on your desired processing time (standard, urgent, super urgent).
- Embassy Visa Fees: These fees can vary depending on the visa type and the Embassy’s policy at the time of your application. You should contact the Vietnam Embassy in Athens directly for the most accurate information on costs.
For precise and updated costs for urgent visa services or assistance, please contact Entry Vietnam Visa for a consultation.
Vietnam visa types for Greek citizens
Vietnam offers various visa types, catering to the diverse entry purposes of Greek citizens:
- Tourist Visa (DL): For sightseeing and tourism purposes. The most common is the 90-day single-entry e-visa.
- Business Visa (DN): For individuals traveling to Vietnam for work, meetings, or market research. Requires an invitation letter from a company/organization in Vietnam.
- Visiting Relatives Visa (TT): For foreigners with relatives who are Vietnamese citizens or foreigners legally residing in Vietnam.
- Investment Visa (ĐT): For foreign investors in Vietnam.
- Working Visa (LĐ): For foreigners coming to work in Vietnam. Often requires a work permit.
- 5-year Visa Exemption Certificate: For Greek citizens of Vietnamese origin or who are spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months longer than the validity of the exemption certificate. This is an excellent option for those planning frequent travel.
Depending on your purpose and duration of stay, Greek citizens can choose the appropriate visa type. Entry Vietnam Visa can assist you in understanding and applying for these visa types, including Vietnam 5-year Visa Exemption, Vietnam Work Permit, and Vietnam Temporary Residence Card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about Vietnam visa for Greek citizens compiled by Entry Vietnam Visa:
Can Greek citizens extend their Vietnam visa?
Yes, Greek citizens can extend their Vietnam visa in certain circumstances. Visa extension must be done before the current visa expires. The extension process and conditions may vary depending on the visa type and the time of application.
To extend your visa, you typically need to submit an application to the Vietnam Immigration Department or through reputable visa service companies. Entry Vietnam Visa can assist you throughout this process to ensure a smooth and legal procedure.
How long can Greeks stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?
With an e-visa, Greek citizens can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days (three months) from the entry date granted on the visa. This is a single-entry visa. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days or require multiple entries, you will need to consider other visa types or extend your visa if eligible.
Is a visa on arrival available for Greek citizens?
Previously, Visa On Arrival (VOA) was a popular option for many nationalities, including Greek citizens. However, since Vietnam implemented a comprehensive e-visa system in 2017, the Visa On Arrival policy has undergone significant changes.
Currently, for most nationalities eligible for e-visa (including Greece), the e-visa has replaced the role of VOA as the most convenient online visa application method. Travelers can apply for an e-visa before departure and simply present it upon arrival at the airport.
While the term “visa on arrival” is still used in some contexts, it generally refers to receiving a “visa approval letter” beforehand, and then getting the actual visa stamped upon arrival at a Vietnamese airport. The e-visa is essentially an improved and simplified version, where the visa has already been issued, and you just need to print it.
Entry Vietnam Visa still provides assistance for those who require traditional Vietnam Visa on Arrival or wish to use an approval letter in special circumstances, especially for urgent services.
What should I do if my Vietnam visa is refused?
If your Vietnam visa is refused, it’s crucial to remain calm and understand the reason. Common reasons may include:
- Inaccurate information: Errors in filling out the visa application form.
- Incomplete documentation: Missing documents or invalid documents.
- Non-standard photos: Photos not meeting the required size or clarity.
- Security issues or immigration history: Problems related to personal background.
Steps you should take:
- Find out the reason: If possible, contact the visa processing authority (Immigration Department or Embassy) to inquire about the specific reason for refusal.
- Review your application: Double-check all documents and information you provided to identify any errors.
- Supplement/Correct: Rectify any mistakes or provide missing documents.
- Reapply: Once corrections and supplements have been made, you can re-submit your visa application.
Applying for a Vietnam visa for Greek citizens is a simple process when you understand the requirements and choose the right visa type for your trip. Whether you’re exploring Vietnam’s natural beauty or coming for business opportunities, securing your visa in advance ensures a smooth arrival. For a fast, reliable, and stress-free experience, let our team assist you in obtaining your Vietnam visa for Greek citizens quickly and efficiently.