Can I Enter Vietnam Before the Entry Date on My e-Visa? What Is the Validity of an e-Visa?
No. You cannot enter Vietnam before the “valid from” date shown on your approved e-visa.
Your Vietnam e-visa is valid only during the period printed on the visa. You can enter Vietnam on the start date shown on the e-visa or on any later date within that validity period. If you intend to enter Vietnam before the validity date or after the expiry date, you must apply for a new e-visa.
1. Validity of a Vietnam e-Visa
Since 15 August 2023, e-visas are issued with a validity of up to 90 days, either single entry or multiple entry, depending on the approved application.
| e-Visa type | Maximum validity | Number of entries |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | One entry |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | More than one entry during the validity period |
The validity of the e-visa is counted from the date printed on the visa itself. It is not counted from the date of actual entry into Vietnam.
2. How is the validity period calculated?
The validity period of an e-visa is calculated based on the dates printed directly on the approved e-visa.
| Printed item on the e-visa | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Good for entry valid from (THỊ THỰC CÓ GIÁ TRỊ TỪ NGÀY) | The first date on which entry into Vietnam is permitted |
| Until (ĐẾN NGÀY) | The last date on which the e-visa remains valid |
You can enter Vietnam on any date from the “valid from” date until the “until” date, provided that the e-visa remains valid on the date of entry.
3. Can you enter before the entry date shown on the e-visa?
No. If you intend to enter Vietnam before the entry date shown on your e-visa, you must apply for a new e-visa with an earlier validity date.
| Travel situation | Is entry permitted? |
|---|---|
| You arrive before the “valid from” date | No |
| You arrive on the “valid from” date | Yes |
| You arrive after the “valid from” date but before the expiry date | Yes |
| You arrive after the expiry date | No |
4. Can you enter after the entry date shown on the e-visa?
Yes. You can enter Vietnam after the intended entry date shown on your e-visa, provided that you enter during the validity period of the visa.
However, if you enter later than the start date of validity, your actual period of stay will be shortened accordingly. The visa validity will not be extended to match your actual arrival date.
5. Examples
If your e-visa is valid from 10 June 2026 until 7 September 2026:
| Actual arrival date | Result |
|---|---|
| 8 June 2026 | Entry is not permitted. A new e-visa is required. |
| 10 June 2026 | Entry is permitted. |
| 20 June 2026 | Entry is permitted, but the remaining validity period will be shorter. |
| 8 September 2026 | Entry is not permitted. The e-visa has expired. |
Related articles
- Do I Need to Wait 30 Days Before Re-entering Vietnam Under Visa Exemption?
- What to Do If Your Vietnam e-Visa Is Not Approved in Time
- My Vietnam e-visa is issued with wrong or incorrect information. What should I do?
- Can I Change the Port of Entry After My Vietnam E-Visa Is Issued?
- I lost my original application code. How can I track my Vietnam visa application status?
- Vietnam e-Visa Stuck at “In Processing” After 5 Days: When to Worry?
