Senegalese citizens are required to obtain a visa before entering Vietnam, as no visa exemption agreement exists between the two countries. The Vietnam e-visa (EVISA) is the most accessible and practical option, allowing up to 90 days of stay with either single or multiple entry, applied entirely online through the official Vietnam e-visa portal. For business travel, a visa on arrival supported by a sponsor-issued approval letter is the standard route.
Yes, Senegalese citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before traveling to Vietnam, regardless of the purpose or duration of their stay. There is currently no visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Senegal [1], meaning that every holder of a Senegalese passport must secure proper entry authorization in advance.
Vietnam and Senegal do not have a bilateral visa-free arrangement under the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs framework. This applies equally to tourism, business, transit, and family visits. Failing to arrange a valid Vietnam visa from Senegal before departure can result in being denied boarding at Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar or being turned away at a Vietnamese port of entry.
In addition to holding a valid Vietnam visa, Senegalese passport holders must satisfy the following Vietnam entry requirements:
Passport validity: Your Senegalese passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in Vietnam.
Blank pages: Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages available for immigration stamps.
Proof of onward travel: A return or onward ticket is strongly recommended at the point of entry.
Sufficient funds: You should be able to demonstrate adequate financial means for the duration of your stay.
Accommodation evidence: Hotel bookings or a host’s confirmed address, relevant to temporary residence registration requirements.
Types of Vietnam visa available for Senegal passport holders
The most practical and widely used options for West Africa Vietnam visa applicants are the Vietnam e-visa (EVISA) and the visa on arrival route supported by a prior approval letter.
Vietnam e-visa (EVISA)
The Vietnam e-visa is the most straightforward option for Senegalese citizens applying for a Vietnam tourist visa or a short-term business visit.
Issued through the official Vietnam e-visa portal managed by the Vietnam Immigration Department, this visa allows stays of up to 90 days and is available as either a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa, offering genuine flexibility for travelers who plan regional side trips.
Business visa (DN classification)
For Senegalese nationals traveling to Vietnam for commercial activities, formal meetings, or extended work assignments, a business visa with DN classification is required.
This visa type requires a sponsor company in Vietnam and involves a more structured application process through Vietnam immigration authorities. It can be arranged as a multiple entry visa, which is especially practical for professionals making repeat trips between Senegal and Vietnam.
Visa on arrival (VOA)
Visa on arrival remains available for Senegalese citizens, though it requires obtaining a visa approval letter in advance through an authorized agency or Vietnam-based sponsor.
This method is available only at designated international airports in Vietnam and is a reliable alternative for applicants who encounter difficulties with the e-visa portal or require visa categories not covered by the standard EVISA system.
The Vietnam e-visa application process is entirely online and requires no physical attendance at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. This is particularly advantageous for Senegalese citizens, as Vietnam does not operate a dedicated embassy in Senegal — the nearest Vietnamese diplomatic mission is in Abuja, Nigeria, or applicants may alternatively approach the Vietnamese embassy in Paris, France.
Step-by-step e-visa application process
Step 1: Access the official Vietnam e-visa portal
Only use the official government platform at https://evisa.gov.vn/ or you can use a trusted visa service provider such as Tan Van Lang via https://evisa.vnhub.com/ to handle the submission on your behalf.
Step 2: Complete the online application form
You will need to submit the following:
Full name exactly as printed on your Senegalese passport
Date of birth and nationality
Passport number and expiry date
Intended entry and exit dates
Designated entry checkpoint in Vietnam
Purpose of visit
A valid and actively monitored email address
Scanned copy of the biographical page of your Senegalese passport
A recent digital passport-style photograph (white background, no glasses)
Step 3: Pay the e-visa fee
The official government fee for a Vietnam e-visa is USD 25, payable online by international credit or debit card. Additional service fees apply if you choose to apply through a professional agency such as Tan Van Lang, which provides dedicated case monitoring and error-correction support throughout the process.
Step 4: Wait for processing
The official processing time for a standard Vietnam e-visa application is 3 business days. Vietnamese public holidays do not count as business days and will extend the processing window accordingly — plan your submission date with this in mind. With over 20 years of experience since 2003, Tan Van Lang has handled tens of thousands of complex visa cases, including expedited submissions for Senegalese applicants operating under tight travel deadlines.
Step 5: Download and print your e-visa
Once approved, your e-visa document will be delivered to your registered email address. Print the e-visa and carry the physical copy with you — Vietnamese border control officers require the printed document at arrival, and a digital copy displayed on a phone screen is not consistently accepted.
Critical advisory: Entry checkpoint consistency
Ensure that the entry port declared on your e-visa application exactly matches the airport or land border you actually use to enter Vietnam.
A mismatch between your declared entry checkpoint and your actual point of entry is one of the most common — and entirely preventable — reasons Senegalese travelers are detained or refused entry at Vietnamese immigration. Our team systematically reviews this detail for every client before submission.
Tan Van Lang provides reliable Vietnam visa services backed by over 20 years of professional experience.
Visa on arrival (VOA) is a viable alternative for Senegal to Vietnam visa applicants who prefer not to use the e-visa portal directly, or who require a business visa category, longer duration, or multiple-entry arrangement that falls outside the standard EVISA framework. The process has two distinct stages.
Stage 1: Obtain a visa approval letter
A Vietnam visa approval letter must be arranged before departure through a licensed immigration agency or a Vietnam-registered sponsor company. The approval letter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department and serves as pre-clearance for the traveler to collect a visa stamp upon landing in Vietnam.
Standard processing takes 2 to 5 business days, though urgent processing within 1 to 2 business days is achievable through professional channels.
Documents typically required for approval letter processing include:
Copy of the biographical page of your Senegalese passport
Full name, date of birth, and passport expiry date
Intended entry and exit dates
Designated entry airport in Vietnam
Travel purpose and visa category requested
Digital passport-style photograph
Stage 2: Collect the visa stamp on arrival
Upon landing at a designated international airport in Vietnam, present the following at the Visa on Arrival (VOA) counter — not at the general immigration lane:
Your original printed approval letter
Your Senegalese passport (valid for 6+ months from arrival date)
Two passport-size photographs (4 x 6 cm, white background)
Completed NA1 Entry/Exit declaration form
Stamping fee in cash (USD preferred; see fee table below)
Visa on arrival is only available at international airports — it cannot be processed at land border crossings or seaports. Senegalese travelers entering Vietnam overland from Cambodia or Laos must arrange their Vietnam visa through the e-visa system or through a Vietnamese embassy before departure.
We support foreigners with accurate consultation and compliant visa solutions for Vietnam.
Vietnam visa fees and processing time for Senegalese nationals
The cost structure for a Vietnam visa for Senegalese citizens varies based on application method, visa type, and required processing speed. The following breakdown reflects current standard rates [2]:
E-visa fees
Fee component
Amount
Official government e-visa fee
USD 25
Standard processing (3 business days)
Included
Expedited processing (1 business day)
Additional charge applies
Tan Van Lang professional service fee
Contact us for current rates
Visa on arrival fees
Fee component
Approximate amount
Approval letter — single entry
USD 15 – 30
Approval letter — multiple entry
USD 25 – 50
Airport stamping fee — single entry
USD 25
Airport stamping fee — multiple entry
USD 50
Urgent processing surcharge
USD 20 – 50 additional
Business visa fees
Business visa costs for Senegalese citizens vary considerably based on visa duration, entry type, and sponsor arrangement complexity. Our advisory team provides itemized, transparent quotations with no hidden charges — contact Tan Van Lang directly for a precise fee breakdown based on your specific travel profile and commercial requirements.
Vietnam visa validity and length of stay for Senegalese citizens
Visa type
Maximum stay
Entry type
Validity period
E-visa (tourist)
90 days
Single or multiple
Up to 90 days from issue date
E-visa (business)
90 days
Single or multiple
Up to 90 days from issue date
Business visa (DN)
1 – 12 months
Single or multiple
As approved by immigration
Tourist visa (embassy stamp)
30 or 90 days
Single or multiple
As approved
Visa extensions after arrival
Visa extensions are possible within Vietnam, but must be initiated before your current visa expires. Extensions are processed through the Vietnam Immigration Department and typically require the involvement of a licensed local agency or Vietnamese sponsor. Standard processing takes 5 to 7 working days, and approval is not guaranteed — particularly for repeat extension requests or cases where the initial visa was already the maximum duration.
Drawing on our direct experience advising Dakar to Vietnam travel clients, we consistently recommend applying for a 90-day multiple entry e-visa at the outset if there is any reasonable chance your stay will be extended or you plan to make short trips to neighboring countries and re-enter Vietnam. This eliminates the administrative complexity and uncertainty of mid-stay extension applications.
Temporary residence registration
This requirement is frequently overlooked by Senegalese visitors to Vietnam: upon arrival, you are legally obligated to register your temporary place of residence with local authorities. Hotels and licensed guesthouses handle this registration automatically on your behalf.
If you are staying with a private host or in a self-arranged rental, you or your host must complete the registration at the local police station within 24 hours of check-in. Non-compliance results in fines and can create complications at departure or during future Vietnam visa applications.
Can Senegalese citizens get a Vietnam visa on arrival?
Yes, Senegalese citizens can obtain a visa on arrival, but only at designated international airports in Vietnam and only after securing a valid visa approval letter before departing from Senegal. Arriving at a Vietnamese airport without a prior approval letter will not result in a visa being issued on the spot — the approval letter is a mandatory prerequisite, not an optional formality.
How long does it take to process a Vietnam e-visa for Senegalese citizens?
The official processing window is 3 business days from the date of submission. Our team monitors every application submitted through Tan Van Lang on a daily basis and can facilitate expedited handling when genuine urgency is properly documented. Applicants should avoid submitting applications immediately before Vietnamese national public holidays, as those days are excluded from the business day count.
What documents are required for a Vietnam visa application from Senegal?
For e-visa:
Valid Senegalese passport with 6+ months remaining validity and 2+ blank pages
Scanned biographical passport page
Digital passport-style photograph
International credit or debit card for fee payment
Active email address for correspondence and delivery
For visa on arrival (approval letter request):
Copy of Senegalese passport biographical page
Intended travel dates and designated entry airport
Digital passport photograph
For business visa:
All documents listed above
Invitation letter or sponsorship documentation from a Vietnam-registered company
Sponsor company’s completed Form NA2 submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department
Is there a visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Senegal?
No. As of the date of this publication, there is no bilateral visa exemption agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Senegal. All Senegalese passport holders — regardless of professional status, diplomatic position, or length of intended stay — must obtain a visa prior to or upon arrival in Vietnam. This position is confirmed by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs and remains subject to change only through formal treaty negotiation between the two governments.
How much does a Vietnam visa cost for Senegalese passport holders?
The government-mandated e-visa fee is USD 25 regardless of nationality. For visa on arrival, the total cost comprises the approval letter service fee (approximately USD 15–50 depending on urgency and entry type) plus the airport stamping fee (USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry). Business visa fees vary based on duration and case complexity. Tan Van Lang provides transparent, fully itemized fee structures — contact us directly for a quotation tailored to your specific itinerary.
Can Senegalese citizens extend their Vietnam visa after arrival?
Yes, but all extension requests must be submitted before the current visa expires, through licensed immigration service channels within Vietnam. Standard processing takes 5 to 7 working days, and approval is not guaranteed. Overstaying a Vietnam visa — even by a single day — incurs fines starting from VND 500,000 and can affect future entry clearance. Our standing recommendation to Senegalese applicants is to plan the correct visa duration accurately before departure rather than treating extensions as a fallback option.
Which Vietnam international airports accept visa on arrival for Senegalese citizens?
Visa on arrival with a prior approval letter is accepted at the following designated international airports in Vietnam:
Visa on arrival is not available at land border checkpoints or seaports. If your itinerary includes overland entry from Cambodia, Laos, or China, a Vietnam e-visa or embassy-issued visa must be arranged before your departure from Senegal.
Conclusion
With over 20 years of experience since 2003, Tan Van Lang has guided Senegalese and broader West African travelers through every stage of the Vietnam visa process, from initial eligibility assessment to on-arrival procedural support. Contact our advisory team today to ensure your Vietnam visa application is handled correctly, on time, and without preventable errors.
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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