It would be me, if I had never worry about a visa before traveling. But no matter how easy it is sometimes. For example, in Vietnam.
To enter Vietnam, the German tourists need a visa. There are two ways to get to a visa: the official way through the Vietnamese Embassy and the “exception” – which is, however, cheaper and can be organized better on the road.
This exception concerning there is much uncertainty and some questions. Since I have once, I would like to explain here how to get to a Vietnamese visa.
1 visa from the Vietnamese embassy
The usual way is to apply for a tourist visa at the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin. These exhibits usually visas for four weeks for a single entry. For an extra charge even longer periods or a multiple-entry are possible.
The processing time at the Embassy is about a week. You have the following documents in person or submit by post:
Original passport. This must be valid for at least 1 month after the end of the journey out. (The Foreign Office, recommends a validity of 6 months beyond the end of the journey out)
Completed application form (you can find here)
A recent passport photo
The Visa fee in cash or as a crossed check
Prepaid envelope for registered mail if you do not own the visa abholst
These and other information such as opening times or the address of the message you can find here. The visa fees do not you think there unfortunately. You need to inquire by phone.
Currently, costs a one-month visa for single entry 75, – Euro. Add to this the cost of your registered mail and the stamped letter.
A recent (unofficial) price list you can find at Visa Express.
ADVANTAGES
The visa from the embassy is a very safe bet. It is the officially desired way to reach a visa.
DISADVANTAGES
It is relatively costly to apply for the visa. You have to phone inquire about the price, fill out a form and send even cash and your passport by mail you at the embassy. With 75, -. Plus € postal charges is the visa rather expensive. In addition, the processing takes at least a week.
From home all this is fairly straightforward, but if you’re already on the road, it’s annoying. You can finally go in other countries to the Vietnamese embassy to apply for the visa, then have to wait a week, but on the spot or pay an express surcharge. But in principle it is possible in most countries to apply for a visa for Vietnam.
2. Visa on Arrival (pre-arranged)
An alternative is the so-called pre-arranged visa on arrival. In There is no official information from the embassy or the Foreign Office.
This visa You only upon arrival by plane at the airports of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Da Nang. The Visa on Arrival is actually intended for urgent cases or for travelers in their home country, there is no Vietnamese embassy. But ultimately everyone can get this visa.
Even for a Visa on Arrival You must make some preparation. And you need a letter of invitation. This may be issued by certified travel agencies. Anyone who is entitled to a visa gets, also issued this letter. So it is nothing more than a further fee for entry to Vietnam.
There are countless agencies, but I mention here only one agency, because of this I have my letter of invitation easily obtained: Vietnam Visa Pro.
The invitation letter cost me 10 dollars (for a one-month visa with single entry). This amount I could pay by Paypal (credit card or).
Thus, the process takes place
1. Request letter of invitation on the Agency’s website: indication of passport data, the entry-airport and the entry and exit data.
2. Following Receive an acknowledgment of receipt by e-mail
3. In addition, you will receive a separate e-mail with the payment notification and link to Paypal.
4. After the payment you send a screenshot of the payment receipt to the agency.
5. According to information they need 2-3 days for the issuance of the invitation letter. I received my very next day. Who is really in a hurry, I can pay a small fee for the fast-track processing.
6. Upon receipt of the invitation letter You have to check if your name, passport number and the date of entry is correct. In the letter probably have several names, but it does not have to bother you.
7. Finally, you need to print the letter and have on arrival at the airport there.