For Japanese passport holders entering Vietnam, stays of up to 45 days that meet the conditions are eligible for visa exemption. For stays exceeding 45 days or other situations, refer to the official e-VISA page of the Vietnam Immigration Department. As there are sites that impersonate application agents or arrival card services, begin the process from a government domain rather than through search advertisements.
The Bottom Line First: 3 Points to Confirm from Official Sources
- The 45-day exemption is a measure in effect from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028, and entry conditions must be met
- The e-VISA allows a maximum stay of 90 days, with single or multiple entries. The official application site isevisa.gov.vn.
- If any new pre-arrival declaration is required, verify the official URL provided by the airline or immigration authority, and do not readily hand personal information to paid intermediaries
Conclusion: Japanese nationals don't need a visa up to 45 days
Travelers holding a Japanese passport need no visa for stays of 45 days or less, whatever the purpose of the visit. This comes from Vietnam's visa exemption, which applies from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. Stays longer than 45 days fall outside it, and working in Vietnam requires a separate work permit.
Check Official Guidance on Any Additional Pre-Entry Declarations
Conflicting information is circulating under the names "Digital Arrival Card" and "Pre-Arrival Information" regarding the start date, which airports are covered, and whether participation is mandatory or optional. As of September 2026, the publicly available pages of Vietnam's immigration authority that this article could reference did not confirm a definitive procedure common to all travelers.
| What travelers should do | Only follow up on the designated destination if you receive individual guidance from your airline or immigration authority |
|---|---|
| Verify the URL | Access it through the official websites of the government, embassies/consulates, or your airline |
| Fee | If an unfamiliar site asks for a registration fee or card details, stop the process |
| Save confirmation | If you register following the instructions, save the confirmation screen or QR code offline |
- Treat this separately from your visa——Even if an additional declaration is required, the conditions for visa exemption or e-VISA must still be met separately
- Avoid third-party sites——Do not assume a site is official simply because it appears at the top of search results or as an advertisement
- Check at the airport——If you have received no advance guidance, follow staff instructions at check-in and upon arrival
Related coverage and update history are also kept in the following article, but for any final decision on procedures, always use the official guidance from the relevant authorities on the day.
Conditions for entering under the visa exemption
- A stay of 45 days or less—leave the country within 45 days counting from the entry date
- Remaining passport validity—at least six months remaining at the time of entry
- Not being subject to an entry ban—you must not fall under any ground for refusal of entry under Vietnamese law. Note that working in Vietnam requires a separate work permit
The e-VISA for when you exceed 45 days or don't meet the conditions
If you want to stay beyond 45 days, or plan to enter and exit repeatedly, consider the e-VISA (electronic visa). The e-VISA is an electronic visa applied for online, with a maximum of 90 days and a choice of single/multiple entry. You apply on the official site of Vietnam Immigration, uploading a facial photo and a copy of your passport and paying the fee.
| A stay of 45 days or less | No visa required (exempt) |
|---|---|
| Over 45 days to 90 days | e-VISA (up to 90 days) |
| Multiple entries and exits | Consider the e-VISA (multiple entry) |
| Work / long-term stay | A separate visa or residence status is required |
For counting, the entry day is day one, and leaving by day 45 is within the exemption. For example, if you enter on June 1, you need to leave by July 15. Babies and children each need their own passport, and the exemption is treated the same as for adults.
The e-VISA application flow and costs
You can apply for an e-VISA yourself without going through a travel agency. The official website lists fees of USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for multiple-entry. Processing times can be extended, so once your plans are confirmed, apply with plenty of time to spare.
| Where to apply | The official site of Vietnam Immigration (evisa.gov.vn) |
|---|---|
| Fee guide | Single entry: 25 US dollars Multiple entry: 50 US dollars |
| Days until issuance | Official processing times are a guideline only To allow for additional checks or delays, apply with time to spare |
| Stay / number of entries | Up to 90 days Single or multiple entry can be chosen |
- Fill in the application form on the official site (passport information, planned entry date, accommodation)
- Upload images of your facial photo and passport photo page
- Pay the fee online
- Check your application status on the official website and bring a printed copy of your approved e-VISA
Beware of fake sites and expensive agents, and be sure to apply from the official domain (evisa.gov.vn).
What to prepare on entry
- Passport (at least six months of validity remaining at entry)
- Departure ticket (round-trip within 45 days or to a third country)
- Accommodation (hotel) information
- When using the e-VISA, a copy of the approved electronic visa (printing recommended)
Points to note
- Immigration systems and exemption periods can change, so check the latest information at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan or the e-VISA official site before departure
- Because the visa exemption is counted as "45 days from the entry date," plan with room so your departure date doesn't exceed it
- Rules can differ in cases such as re-entering by land from a neighboring country
Frequently asked questions
- Do Japanese need a visa for tourism in Vietnam?
-
No visa is needed for a stay of 45 days or less. The visa exemption for Japanese nationals applies from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. For stays longer than 45 days, an e-VISA or another visa is required.
- What are the conditions for the visa exemption?
-
The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam lists three conditions: the stay must be 45 days or less, the passport must have at least six months of validity remaining at the time of entry, and the traveler must not be subject to an entry ban under Vietnamese law. A return ticket is not among the conditions the embassy lists, but airlines sometimes check for one at check-in, so it is reassuring to have a ticket out of the country within 45 days.
- Where do I apply for the e-VISA?
-
You apply on the official online site of Vietnam Immigration. Upload a facial photo and a copy of your passport and pay the fee, and after review the electronic visa is issued. You can stay up to 90 days.
- Will the system stay the same going forward?
-
The visa exemption and the number of days can change with government policy. Be sure to check the latest rules at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan or the official site before departure.
- Is the Digital Arrival Card required before entry?
-
Conflicting information is circulating regarding the start date, which airports are covered, and whether participation is mandatory or optional. If you receive guidance from your airline or immigration authority, verify that the URL is official before proceeding. It is important not to enter your passport information or card details into any unfamiliar paid site.
Preparing your first moves after entry all together makes things smoother.
Only Confirmed Once You Enter Your Travel Date
For transportation and entry information, announcements, the start of ticket sales, and actual operations are separate stages. I would enter my travel date and nationality, open the official page, and check the flight number, departure and arrival points, days of suspension, baggage allowance, change and refund conditions, and required documents. Connections involving separate bookings are handled differently in the event of a delay, so I would not judge a connection as feasible based solely on times or rules mentioned in an article.
Summary: Open your application through the government website
Decide based on your itinerary whether the 45-day exemption or an e-VISA applies, and verify your passport validity, name, entry and exit dates, and port of entry before applying. To guard against both policy changes and fraudulent sites, recheck the official pages of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department before departure.
