Vietnam is among those countries that have to close borders when the coronavirus started spreading fast. As a country that has a thriving tourism economy, closing its borders has been a truly difficult decision. However, the Vietnam government believes that by limiting the entry of foreign individuals, they will be able to protect its citizens from the virus that has taken the lives of many people around the world. Thus, foreign visitors, including the citizens of the UK who were granted visa-free entry, have to postpone or cancel their trip.

The Vietnam Visa Waiver Program

The British are among those citizens who can enter Vietnam visa-free. This visa-free eligibility as a result of the visa waiver policy, which was enacted last December 2015. Under this policy, citizens of more than 20 countries are allowed to enter Vietnam even without a visa. The program was launched to invite more foreigners to come and boost Vietnam’s tourism industry.

Under the program, British citizens don’t need to send in a visa application ahead of their trip. They just need to bring their passport and the Vietnam Immigration will let them in. However, the visa waiver program states that the visa-free entry is only good for 15 days. So for those British travelers who are staying longer, they will have to get a visa before flying to Vietnam.

Temporary Suspension of Visa-free Entry Due to Covid 19

When the coronavirus started spreading fast, Vietnam has to take drastic measures to protect its citizens. One of these is by preventing the entry of all foreign travelers. It was around the middle of March when Vietnam halted the issuance of all tourist visas. They have also stopped accepting foreign visitors including those who were part of the visa waiver program. Because of this, some British travelers have to postpone their trip.

But now that the world is trying to go back to normal, Vietnam has decided to open its doors to foreign visitors again. They will now issue tourist visas and will allow visa-free entry to foreigners who were eligible for the visa waiver policy.

Vietnam Visa-free Entry Requirements for Citizens of the United Kingdom

British citizens should be able to enter Vietnam without showing a visa. However, they are required to present some important documents in order to be allowed to get in. Here are the documents that British citizens must present:

• Valid British passport – British citizens must show their UK passport upon entry. It should remain valid for at least six months from their date of entry. Not only that, but the passport must also have blank pages for the entry stamps.
• Proof of onward travel – since British citizens can only stay in Vietnam for 15 days, they should show proof of onward travel. This can come in the form of a plane ticket that will show a departure date that’s within the 15-day period.

Applying for a Vietnam Visa for Citizens of the United Kingdom

If you want to stay longer in Vietnam and enjoy everything that the country has to offer, consider applying for a visa. With a visa, you can stay for up to a maximum of 90 days, depending on the visa you have chosen.

As a citizen of the UK, you are eligible for two types of Vietnam visa, the e-visa and the visa on arrival. The e-visa, also known as the electronic visa, will let you stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days. This is only good for a single entry. The best part about this visa is that you can easily apply for it online. It will also be issued online so you don’t have to leave your home just to have this visa. And once you have it, you can use it to enter in several points of entries. You can use the visa at the airport, seaports, and land border entry points.

For British travelers who needed a visa that will grant them multiple entries, consider applying for the visa on arrival. With this visa, you can choose from a single entry or multiple entries. Plus, you have the option to stay for up to 90 days. To apply for this visa, you need to register online in advance. When they receive your application, they will give you a letter. You need to print the letter and show it at the Visa Landing counter at the airport. They will then attach a visa into your passport and you can enter Vietnam using that visa and stay there for a longer time.