Somali citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam, there is no visa exemption agreement between the two countries. As of 2026, the most accessible route is the Vietnam e-visa (EVISA), which is processed entirely online through the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official portal and accepted at all major international checkpoints.
Yes. All citizens holding a valid Somalia passport are required to obtain a visa before entering Vietnam, regardless of the purpose or duration of their stay. Vietnam has not signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Somalia [1], which means there is no free-entry privilege for Somali nationals, not even for short transit stays of more than 24 hours.
This requirement applies to every category of travel, whether tourism, business, family visits, or medical purposes. Attempting to board a flight to Vietnam without a confirmed visa or a visa approval letter will result in denial of boarding at the departure airport.
Beyond holding a valid Vietnam visa, Somali passport holders must also satisfy the following Vietnam entry requirements:
The Somalia passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of arrival in Vietnam
The passport must have at least 2 blank pages available for entry/exit stamps
The traveler must carry proof of onward or return travel
Sufficient financial means for the duration of stay may be requested at the immigration counter
From our practical experience, we consistently find that passport validity and blank pages are the two most overlooked requirements and both can lead to immediate denial of entry at Vietnamese immigration.
Types of Vietnam visa available for Somalia passport holders
Somali citizens currently have two primary pathways to legally enter Vietnam: the Vietnam e-visa (EVISA) and the Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA). Each carries distinct procedures, eligibility conditions, and use cases.
The Vietnam e-visa is by far the most practical option for Somalia to Vietnam visa applicants. It requires no embassy visit, no physical document submission, and no sponsor company. The entire process is conducted online, making it the preferred choice for travelers departing from Mogadishu or anywhere across East Africa.
The business visa route is more complex. It requires a sponsor company in Vietnam to initiate the process and obtain a visa approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department before any stamping can occur. This is a critical point that many applicants underestimate: without the approval letter, no business visa can be issued.
The Vietnam e-visa (officially known as the EVISA Vietnam) was expanded in August 2023 to cover citizens of all countries, including Somalia [2]. This was a significant policy change by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it remains the single most accessible Vietnam visa option for Somali nationals today.
Step-by-step application process
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Before starting your online application, gather the following:
A clear, colored scan of your Somalia passport (biographical data page)
A recent passport-style portrait photo (white background, face clearly visible)
You can apply directly through the Vietnam e-visa portal managed by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Fill in all required fields accurately, any mismatch between your application data and passport information can result in rejection or, worse, problems at the immigration counter in Vietnam.
Alternatively, many Somali applicants prefer to use a professional visa service to handle the submission on their behalf. Based on our advisory experience, even minor data entry errors (a wrong passport number digit, an incorrectly formatted date of birth) can trigger a rejection that then requires a full resubmission cycle.
Step 3: Pay the government fee
The standard government fee for a Vietnam e-visa is USD 25 per application, regardless of nationality. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
Step 4: Receive and print your e-visa
Once approved, your Vietnam e-visa will be sent to your registered email as a PDF document. Print it and carry a physical copy when you travel — immigration officers at Vietnamese checkpoints will request both the printed e-visa and your passport. Digital copies on a smartphone are generally not accepted as a substitute.
Important warning: Scam websites
Our advisory team regularly encounters cases where Somali and other African travelers have been defrauded by unofficial websites that mimic the government portal. These sites charge inflated fees, sometimes USD 80 to USD 150 for a single-entry e-visa and often deliver incorrect or fraudulent documents.
The only legitimate portal for Vietnam e-visa applications is the official government website. Any third-party service should be clearly identified as an authorized agent, not a government body.
Tan Van Lang provides reliable Vietnam visa services backed by over 20 years of professional experience.
The Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) is a process that is often misunderstood. It does not mean arriving in Vietnam without any pre-arranged visa document. Rather, it is a two-stage process: first obtaining a visa approval letter before departure, then getting the actual visa stamp applied at a Vietnamese international airport upon arrival.
This route is primarily relevant for Somali citizens who, for any reason, are unable to use the standard e-visa system — such as technical difficulties, passport renewal situations, or applicants who require a specific visa category not covered by EVISA.
How the visa on arrival process works
Stage 1: Obtain a visa approval letter
A visa approval letter must be obtained from a licensed visa agency or sponsor in Vietnam before you travel. This letter is submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department and, once approved, authorizes the airport immigration staff to stamp your visa on arrival.
Stage 2: Arrive at a qualifying checkpoint
The visa on arrival service is only available at international airports — it cannot be used at land border crossings or seaports. For Somali travelers flying from Mogadishu to Vietnam (typically via connecting hubs such as Dubai, Doha, or Nairobi), the most common arrival airports are:
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
Upon landing, proceed to the VOA stamping counter (separate from the main immigration queues), present your approval letter, passport, passport photos, and pay the stamping fee. The visa is then physically stamped into your passport.
One practical note: there is currently no Vietnam embassy in Somalia. Somali citizens needing an embassy-stamped visa must travel to a neighboring country where a Vietnamese diplomatic mission operates — typically Kenya (Nairobi) or Ethiopia (Addis Ababa). Given this geographic constraint, the e-visa route remains significantly more convenient for most Somalia to Vietnam travel cases.
We support foreigners with accurate consultation and compliant visa solutions for Vietnam.
Vietnam visa fees and processing time for Somali nationals
The fee breakdown differs depending on which visa pathway you choose.
E-visa fees
Fee component
Amount
Government e-visa fee
USD 25
Optional agency service fee
USD 10 – USD 25 (varies by provider)
Total (if using agency)
USD 35 – USD 50
Visa on arrival fees
Fee component
Amount
Approval letter service fee
USD 20 – USD 45 (agency-dependent)
Airport stamping fee (single entry)
USD 25
Airport stamping fee (multiple entry)
USD 50
Total approximate cost
USD 45 – USD 95
Processing time
Visa type
Standard processing
Urgent processing
Vietnam e-visa
3 working days
1 working day (premium service)
Visa on arrival approval letter
2–3 working days
Same day or next day (urgent fee applies)
Business visa (via embassy)
5–7 working days
Subject to embassy discretion
From our practical experience, we strongly recommend submitting your e-visa application at least 7 business days before your intended departure date. This buffer accounts for any back-and-forth corrections, bank processing issues, or peak-period delays at the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Vietnam visa validity and length of stay for Somali citizens
The EVISA Vietnam issued to Somali nationals currently offers:
Single entry: Enter Vietnam once within the 90-day validity window; maximum stay of 90 days
Multiple entry: Re-enter Vietnam multiple times within the 90-day validity window; each stay cannot exceed 90 consecutive days
This is a significant improvement over the pre-2023 e-visa policy, which was limited to 30 days single entry. The current framework gives Somali citizens traveling for tourism or extended business visits much greater flexibility.
Temporary residence registration
A point that is frequently overlooked is the temporary residence declaration requirement in Vietnam. Upon arrival, you are legally required to register your place of stay with the local police authority within 24 hours. In practice, hotels and serviced apartments do this automatically on your behalf.
If you are staying with a private host (friend or family), the host must visit the local ward police station to register your temporary residence. Failure to comply can result in fines and complications during any future visa extension applications.
Visa extension
For Somali citizens who wish to extend their stay beyond the initial granted period, extensions are processed through the Vietnam Immigration Department. Single-entry visas generally cannot be extended; the standard recommendation is to exit Vietnam and re-enter on a new e-visa or apply for a multiple-entry visa if longer stays are anticipated. Our advisory team can guide you through the most legally sound extension strategy based on your specific circumstances.
Can Somali citizens get a Vietnam visa on arrival?
Yes, Somali citizens can use the visa on arrival route, but it requires obtaining a visa approval letter in advance through a licensed agency. This letter must be processed before departure, and the actual stamping occurs at qualifying international airports in Vietnam upon arrival. It cannot be used at land borders.
How long does it take to process a Vietnam e-visa for Somali citizens?
The standard processing time for a Vietnam e-visa application from Somalia is 3 business days. Urgent processing (1 business day) is available through certain authorized agencies for an additional fee. Given that internet connectivity and payment processing from Somalia can occasionally introduce delays, we recommend initiating the application at least one week before your scheduled travel date.
What documents are required for a Vietnam visa application from Somalia?
The core documents required for a Vietnam e-visa Somalia application are:
Valid Somalia passport (minimum 6 months validity from arrival date, at least 2 blank pages)
Passport-sized photo (recent, white background)
Intended entry checkpoint in Vietnam
Planned travel dates
Payment method (credit/debit card or PayPal)
For a business visa, additional documents are required, including a sponsorship letter from a Vietnamese company, form NA2, form NA16, and certified business registration of the sponsoring entity.
Is there a visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Somalia?
No. As of the date of publication of this guide, Vietnam and Somalia do not have a bilateral visa exemption treaty. All Somali passport holders — regardless of travel purpose or duration — must obtain a valid Vietnam visa before entry. This applies equally to holders of diplomatic and official passports unless a separate diplomatic arrangement is in place.
How much does a Vietnam visa cost for Somali passport holders?
The government-mandated Vietnam e-visa fee is USD 25 per application. If you use a professional agency service, expect an additional service fee of USD 10–USD 25. For visa on arrival, the combined cost (approval letter + airport stamping) typically ranges from USD 45 to USD 95 depending on entry type and urgency.
Which type of Vietnam visa is easiest for Somali citizens to obtain?
Without question, the Vietnam e-visa (EVISA) is the most accessible and straightforward option for Somalia to Vietnam visa applicants. It requires no embassy appointment, no physical document submission, and no sponsor in Vietnam. The application is entirely online, the government fee is fixed at USD 25, and the resulting visa is accepted at all major international entry checkpoints across Vietnam. For travelers from the Horn of Africa and East Africa more broadly, this is the route our team consistently recommends.
Can Somali citizens extend their Vietnam visa after arrival?
Visa extension is possible in Vietnam but subject to specific conditions. Multiple-entry e-visas offer more flexibility for re-entry, while single-entry visas typically cannot be formally extended once the initial entry has occurred. Extensions must be applied for through the Vietnam Immigration Department before the visa expiry date. In our experience handling Africa Vietnam visa cases, it is always more straightforward to plan for the right visa duration upfront rather than attempting a last-minute extension — which can be time-consuming and is not guaranteed to be approved.
Conclusion
If you are a Somali citizen planning travel to Vietnam and need reliable, error-free visa processing, our team is ready to assist you from the first application step to the moment you clear immigration in Vietnam. Contact Tan Van Lang today for a direct consultation.
Tốt nghiệp chuyên ngành quản trị kinh doanh và du lịch (MKU). Sau khi tốt nghiệp, Tôi đã có 6 năm kinh nghiệm về Dịch vụ tư vấn Tour và visa xuất cảnh, 6 năm kinh nghiệm về dịch vụ tư vấn thủ tục cho người nước ngoài.
Tôi đã tư vấn cho hơn 10.000 người Việt Nam có nhu cầu du lịch nước ngoài với tỷ lệ thành công 99%.
Vietnam visa for Vanuatu citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
Vietnam visa for Samoa citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
Vietnam visa for Solomon Islands citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
Vietnam visa for Namibian citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
Vietnam visa for Cape Verde citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
Vietnam visa for Papua New Guinea citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees 
4.800+ Followers
