Costa Rican citizens must obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam, whether for tourism, business, family visits, or other short-term purposes. The most convenient option is usually the Vietnam e-visa, which can be valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry.
Applicants should prepare a valid Costa Rica passport, clear passport scan, portrait photo, accurate travel details, and the correct entry port.
Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Yes. Costa Rican citizens must obtain a valid Vietnamese visa before entering Vietnam.
This requirement applies to most common travel purposes, including tourism, business meetings, visiting relatives, short training, investment surveys, and media-related activities. A Costa Rica passport does not currently qualify for Vietnam’s ordinary unilateral visa exemption scheme.
Based on our 20+ years of practical experience, many Costa Rican travelers confuse Vietnam’s ASEAN travel convenience with visa-free entry. Costa Rica is not an ASEAN member, and ASEAN visa-free rules do not apply to Costa Rican passport holders [1].
Item
Requirement for Costa Rican citizens
Visa requirement
Visa required before entry
E-visa eligibility
Eligible
Maximum e-visa validity
Up to 90 days
Entry type
Single or multiple entry, depending on approval
Passport validity
At least 6 months from the intended arrival date is strongly recommended
A critical detail most applicants overlook is that “visa validity” and “permitted stay” are not always understood the same way by travelers. Your actual stay must remain within the dates printed on your visa or e-visa, and you must enter and exit through ports accepted under that visa type.
Entry requirements for Costa Rica passport holders
Before applying for a Vietnam visa for Costa Rican citizens, prepare the basic entry documents carefully. Vietnam immigration officers and airlines usually check the visa against the passport and travel itinerary.
The standard requirements include:
A Costa Rica passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended arrival date.
A flight ticket or travel itinerary showing your planned entry and exit.
Proof of accommodation may be requested in some cases.
Business travelers should prepare an invitation letter, sponsor details, or company documents when applying for the appropriate business visa.
For a Vietnam e-visa, the passport data page and portrait photo must be clear, correctly cropped, and readable. From our daily work with Vietnam visa applications, poor image quality is one of the most common causes of delayed processing.
If your passport has been renewed after the visa application, you must apply again or request proper correction before traveling. A Vietnam visa is linked to the passport number printed on the approval.
Tan Van Lang provides reliable Vietnam visa services backed by over 20 years of professional experience.
Types of Vietnamese visas available for Costa Rica passport holders
Costa Rican citizens can apply for several types of Vietnamese visas depending on their purpose of entry, duration of stay, and urgency. Choosing the wrong visa type can create problems after arrival, especially for business activities or multiple-entry travel.
Visa type
Suitable for
Typical validity
Key notes
Vietnam e-visa
Tourism, short business visits, family visits, short-term travel
Up to 90 days
Available online; single or multiple entry may be selected
Visa on arrival
Air travelers with pre-approved approval letter
Commonly up to 30 days or as approved
Requires approval letter before boarding and stamping fee at airport
Embassy visa
Travelers who prefer a visa sticker or special cases
Not a normal tourist visa; separate eligibility rules apply
For ordinary short-term travel, the Vietnam e-visa is usually the most convenient route for Costa Rican citizens. It avoids the arrival stamping queue and can be used at eligible international airports, seaports, and landports.
Visa on arrival remains useful in certain urgent or special cases, but it is not a “show up and get a visa” option. You must obtain a visa approval letter before flying to Vietnam.
Costa Rican applicants can apply for a Vietnam visa through three main routes: e-visa, visa on arrival, or Vietnamese embassy/consulate. Each route has different documents, processing time, and risk points.
Option 1: Apply for a Vietnam e-visa online
The Vietnam e-visa is issued electronically by the Vietnam Immigration Department. It is suitable for Costa Rican citizens entering Vietnam for tourism, short business visits, family visits, or other eligible short-term purposes.
The basic process is:
Prepare a clear scan of the Costa Rica passport data page.
Prepare a recent portrait photo with a plain background.
Complete the online e-visa application form.
Select the correct visa type, validity period, entry date, and entry port.
Pay the government e-visa fee online.
Track the application status.
Download and print the approved e-visa.
Present the e-visa and passport when boarding and upon arrival in Vietnam.
According to the latest immigration framework under Law No. 23/2023/QH15 [2] EV visas may be issued for a duration not exceeding 90 days. In practical terms, Costa Rican citizens can request a Vietnam e-visa for up to 90 days, either single entry or multiple entry, subject to approval.
A critical detail most applicants overlook is the entry date. If you enter earlier than the date printed on the e-visa, you may be refused entry. If you enter later, the visa expiry date usually remains unchanged, meaning your actual stay becomes shorter.
Option 2: Apply through Tan Van Lang for expert handling
Applicants who want to reduce the risk of errors can apply through Tan Van Lang. This is especially useful when the trip is urgent, the passport photo is not standard, the applicant has a long name, or the itinerary involves multiple entries.
Tan Van Lang checks the application before submission, monitors the case, and gives practical guidance if the visa is delayed, incorrectly issued, or affected by holidays. This is important because the official system may not provide personalized support for complicated cases.
Our support is suitable for:
Costa Rican tourists traveling soon.
Families applying together.
Business travelers with fixed meeting dates.
Applicants who need multiple entry.
Travelers who made mistakes on a previous e-visa application.
Travelers who must enter through a specific entry port.
Vietnam visa errors often look small on paper but become serious at the airport. A wrong name order, incorrect date of birth, wrong passport number, or mismatched entry port can lead to denied boarding or extra processing costs.
Option 3: Apply for a visa sticker through an embassy
Costa Rican citizens may apply for a Vietnamese visa through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate outside Costa Rica. This route may be suitable for applicants who need a visa sticker, have special travel purposes, or prefer consular handling.
There is currently no Vietnam embassy in San Jose. The nearest Vietnamese embassies are generally in Panama and Cuba, so applicants should contact the relevant mission before sending documents or visiting in person.
Embassy procedures can vary by location. Some missions may require an application form, original passport, passport photo, invitation letter, flight ticket, visa fee, and return envelope if applying by mail.
Yes, Costa Rican citizens can use visa on arrival in certain cases, but only if they already have a valid approval letter before boarding the flight to Vietnam.
Visa on arrival is only completed after arriving at a Vietnamese international airport. It is not normally used for land border or seaport entry.
The process works as follows:
Apply for a visa approval letter through a licensed or experienced visa agency.
Receive the approval letter by email.
Print the approval letter before departure.
Prepare passport photos and the stamping fee in cash.
Board the flight to Vietnam using the approval letter.
On arrival, go to the visa landing counter.
Submit the approval letter, passport, photos, and stamping fee.
Receive the visa stamp in the passport.
Proceed to immigration inspection.
The stamping fee is paid at the Vietnamese airport and is separate from the approval letter service fee. Travelers should prepare clean USD notes because payment issues at the arrival counter can cause unnecessary delays.
Visa on arrival can be helpful for urgent air travel, but it has more steps than an e-visa. It also involves waiting at the airport, which can take longer during peak arrival hours.
We support foreigners with accurate consultation and compliant visa solutions for Vietnam.
Vietnam e-visa versus Vietnam visa-on-arrival – Which one is better?
For most Costa Rican citizens, the Vietnam e-visa is the better choice. It is cleaner, more predictable, and does not require a stamping procedure at the airport.
Visa on arrival may be considered when the traveler has an urgent case, a special approval route, or a situation where e-visa timing is not practical. The right option depends on the itinerary, urgency, and document condition.
Comparison point
Vietnam e-visa
Visa on arrival
Can Costa Rican citizens apply?
Yes
Yes, with approval letter
Entry method
Airport, seaport, or landport accepted by e-visa rules
International airport only
Maximum validity
Up to 90 days
Usually shorter, depending on approval
Document received before travel
E-visa PDF
Approval letter PDF
Visa stamp at airport
Not required
Required
Stamping fee
Not applicable for e-visa entry
Required at airport
Waiting time after arrival
Usually none at visa counter
Often 30 minutes or more
Best for
Standard tourism, planned travel, multiple-entry trips
Urgent airport arrival or special cases
Main risk
Wrong details, poor photo, wrong entry port
No approval letter, stamping queue, cash fee issue
Based on our practical case handling, e-visa is usually the safer option when the traveler has enough time before departure. Visa on arrival should be handled carefully because the approval letter must be arranged before the flight.
A common misunderstanding is that visa on arrival means Costa Rican citizens can fly to Vietnam and apply at the counter without prior approval. That is not correct. Airlines may refuse boarding if the traveler has no visa, no e-visa, or no valid approval letter.
Can Costa Rican citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?
Yes, Costa Rican citizens can apply for a Vietnamese visa through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, but not through a Vietnam embassy in San Jose because Vietnam does not currently maintain an embassy there.
Applicants usually contact the nearest Vietnamese diplomatic mission. Common options for Costa Rican residents may include the Embassy of Vietnam in Panama or the Embassy of Vietnam in Cuba, depending on location, mailing convenience, and current consular procedures.
Before applying, contact the embassy directly to confirm:
Whether visa applications are accepted from Costa Rican citizens.
Whether mail-in applications are available.
The correct visa application form.
Required passport validity.
Photo specifications.
Visa fee and payment method.
Processing time.
Return passport procedure.
Holiday closures.
Embassy visa applications may take longer than e-visa applications because they involve document submission, consular review, and passport return. Applicants should not send an original passport without confirming the latest requirements.
For travelers who only need a short tourist visa, the e-visa route is usually more convenient. Embassy applications are better reserved for special cases or when a physical visa sticker is specifically needed.
Processing time and visa fees for Costa Rican applicants
Vietnam visa processing time depends on the visa type, public holidays, document quality, and whether the application requires correction. Applicants should apply early whenever possible.
Visa method
Estimated processing time
Government fee or cost note
Vietnam e-visa
Commonly 3 working days or more; allow 3–7 working days in practice
Usually USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry [3]
Urgent e-visa support
May be faster depending on case and timing
Service fee applies in addition to government fee
Visa on arrival approval letter
Often 3–5 working days; urgent options may exist
Approval letter fee plus airport stamping fee
Embassy visa
Varies by embassy
Embassy fee varies by location and visa type
Working days usually exclude Saturdays, Sundays, Vietnamese public holidays, and sometimes holidays in the country where an embassy is located. During Tet, Reunification Day, International Labor Day, National Day, and other peak periods, visa processing may slow down.
Based on our advisory experience, we recommend that Costa Rican applicants apply at least 2 weeks before departure. If your flight is within a few days, use professional support instead of submitting a rushed application without review.
Important notes before Costa Rican citizens travel to Vietnam
Check the official source and avoid scam sites
The official Vietnam e-visa system is managed by Vietnamese immigration authorities. Many private websites offer legitimate assistance, but some sites mislead travelers by making themselves look like the government portal.
Before paying, check who operates the website, whether the fee is clearly disclosed, and whether customer support is available. If a website promises impossible approval, guaranteed entry, or no-document processing, treat it as a warning sign.
Tan Van Lang is a visa service company, not a government authority. Our role is to review, prepare, submit, monitor, and advise based on practical experience so applicants avoid preventable mistakes.
Make sure the entry port is correct
For e-visa travel, the entry port must be consistent with the visa and the route accepted by the immigration system. If your e-visa lists a specific port or your itinerary changes unexpectedly, check before traveling.
A critical detail most applicants overlook is that changing flights can change the first port of entry. For example, a traveler who planned to enter through Tan Son Nhat International Airport but later lands first in Noi Bai International Airport should verify whether the visa remains suitable.
If the entry port or itinerary is uncertain, ask for guidance before submitting the application. Correcting an issued visa can be more difficult than preparing it correctly from the beginning.
Print your e-visa and keep a digital copy
Although airline and immigration systems are increasingly digital, travelers should still print the approved e-visa. Keep a digital copy on your phone and email as backup.
The printed e-visa should be clear and readable. Make sure the passport number, full name, date of birth, nationality, sex, validity dates, and entry type are correct.
Do not wait until airport check-in to review your visa. If an error is found at that stage, there may not be enough time to correct it.
Temporary residence declaration after arrival
Foreigners staying in Vietnam must have their temporary residence declared according to local rules. Hotels normally handle this through their internal reporting process, but private hosts, apartments, or family stays may need additional attention.
If you stay with friends, relatives, or in a private rental, confirm that the host can complete temporary residence reporting. This is especially important for business travelers, long-stay visitors, and applicants who may later need extension, conversion, or immigration support.
Failure to maintain proper temporary residence records can create complications when working with local authorities or applying for future immigration procedures.
Common mistakes made by Costa Rican applicants
Many Vietnam visa problems are avoidable. The most frequent mistakes include:
Entering the name in the wrong order.
Using accents, symbols, or spacing that do not match the passport.
Uploading a blurry passport scan.
Submitting a portrait photo with shadows, glasses glare, or non-white background.
Selecting the wrong nationality or passport type.
Choosing single entry when the trip requires multiple entry.
Applying too close to the flight date.
Forgetting that processing time excludes weekends and holidays.
Assuming a flight ticket is enough without a valid visa.
Using visa on arrival without obtaining an approval letter.
Failing to check the entry port.
Not printing the approved e-visa.
Based on our 20+ years of practical experience, the highest-risk applications are not always the most complicated ones. Simple tourist applications can still fail when applicants rush, copy information from memory, or submit a low-quality passport image.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Vietnam visa cost for a Costa Rican passport holder?
For a Vietnam e-visa, the standard government fee is commonly USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry. Service fees may apply if you use a visa agency such as Tan Van Lang for review, submission, urgent handling, or case monitoring.For visa on arrival, the cost usually includes an approval letter service fee and a separate stamping fee paid at the Vietnam airport. The final amount depends on visa type, urgency, and number of entries.
What is the validity period of a Vietnam e-visa for Costa Ricans?
Costa Rican citizens may apply for a Vietnam e-visa valid for up to 90 days. The visa may be single entry or multiple entry depending on the application and approval.The permitted stay must remain within the validity dates printed on the approved e-visa. Entering late does not automatically extend the expiry date.
How long does it take to process a Vietnamese visa from Costa Rica?
A standard Vietnam e-visa often takes several working days, commonly around 3 working days under normal conditions. In practice, Costa Rican applicants should allow 3–7 working days or more, especially during peak travel periods or public holidays.Urgent support may be available in some cases. The actual possibility depends on the application status, flight date, working hours, and immigration processing conditions.
What documents are required for Costa Ricans to apply for a Vietnam visa?
For a Vietnam e-visa, Costa Rican citizens usually need a valid Costa Rica passport, a passport data page scan, a recent portrait photo, intended entry date, entry port, address in Vietnam, and payment method. A flight ticket and accommodation details should also be prepared for travel.For business visa cases, additional documents from the inviting company in Vietnam may be required. For embassy applications, the relevant Vietnamese embassy may request the original passport, application form, photos, fee, and supporting documents.
Can Costa Rican citizens extend their visa while in Vietnam?
Visa extension rules can change depending on the visa type, sponsor, purpose of stay, and current immigration policy. Costa Rican citizens should not assume that an e-visa can always be extended inside Vietnam.If you need to stay longer, contact Tan Van Lang before your visa expires. In some cases, leaving Vietnam and applying for a new visa may be more practical than attempting an in-country extension.
Can Costa Rican citizens enter Vietnam without a visa for a short trip?
No, Costa Rican ordinary passport holders generally need a visa before entering Vietnam. Vietnam’s visa exemption policies apply only to selected nationalities or special categories.If you are an overseas Vietnamese person or an eligible family member, you may qualify for a separate 5-year visa exemption certificate. This is not the same as ordinary visa-free entry for Costa Rican tourists.
Is there a Vietnam embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica?
No. There is no Vietnam embassy in San Jose at the time of writing. Costa Rican citizens who want a consular visa should contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, commonly in Panama or Cuba, and confirm the latest procedure directly.For most short-term trips, applying for a Vietnam e-visa is usually faster and more convenient than applying through an embassy.
Do Costa Rican citizens need a flight ticket before applying for a Vietnam visa?
A confirmed flight ticket is not always required for every e-visa application, but travelers should know the intended entry date and entry port before submitting. Airline staff may also ask to see onward or return travel details during check-in.If your flight route is not final, avoid selecting a visa option too early without checking the entry port. A wrong port or wrong entry date can create unnecessary travel risk.
Conclusion
A Vietnam visa for Costa Rican citizens is straightforward when the passport, visa type, entry date, and entry port are prepared correctly. The Vietnam e-visa is usually the best option for tourism and short visits because it allows up to 90 days and avoids the airport stamping process.
Tan Van Lang is ready to support Costa Rican citizens who want a smooth, secure, and properly handled Vietnam visa process. Contact our team with your travel date, passport nationality, expected stay, entry port, and visa purpose so we can advise the safest route for your case.
Tôi là Nguyễn Thị Bích Phụng (Hana Nguyen), hiện đang là Sales Manager và biên tập viên tại Công Ty Cổ Phần Dịch Vụ Du Lịch và Thương Mại Tân Văn Lang.
Tôi có 5 năm kinh nghiệm trong lĩnh vực xin visa Việt Nam, xin công văn nhập cảnh, thẻ tạm trú, miễn thị thực... cho người nước ngoài muốn nhập cảnh, lưu trú và làm việc tại Việt Nam. Tôi đã được thành tích Nhân viên xuất sắc tại Tân Văn Lang từ 2021 - 2023.
Tôi hi vọng những kiến thức của mình sẽ giúp được nhiều người nước ngoài có thể nhập cảnh Việt Nam dễ dàng.
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