New Zealand citizens traveling through Vietnam may be required to obtain a transit visa, depending on the length of their stay and their onward destination. Transit visas allow travelers to pass through Vietnam without leaving the airport or designated transit area.
Eligibility for a Vietnam Transit Visa
New Zealand citizens are eligible for a Vietnam transit visa if they meet the following criteria:
- They are transiting through Vietnam to a third country.
- They have a valid onward ticket to the third country.
- They have a visa for the third country, if required.
- They will be staying in Vietnam for no more than 30 days.
Exemptions from the Vietnam Transit Visa Requirement
New Zealand citizens are exempt from the Vietnam transit visa requirement if they are:
- Transiting through Vietnam on a cruise ship and will not be leaving the ship.
- Traveling to Vietnam by land or sea from a neighboring country and will be staying in Vietnam for no more than 15 days.
Pursuant to the Law No. 47/2014/QH13 which takes effect on 1st Jan 2015 on entry, exit, transit visa, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, regulations on transit passengers through Vietnam is stipulated as below:
1. Requirements for Vietnam transit visa for New Zealand travelers through Vietnam
New Zealand travelers will be granted a transit visa through Vietnam if they obtain below documents. Needed documents you should prepare: a passport which is valid above 6 months, a ticket which specifies the third destined country, a visa granted by the arrival country as mentioned (in case there is no visa, the arrival country must be in list of Vietnam exemption from visa to enter Vietnam).
2. Transit area
Transit area shall be proclaimed and restricted by the authority in which New Zealand visitors shall stay in during transit duration.
3. Transit by air
– With transit by air, New Zealand citizens are free from visa requirements. However, they must stay in the restricted transit area at the airport and wait for the connecting flight to the destination country.
– In case New Zealand passport holders who want to go outside the transit area for any purpose, that individual shall become a subject for a compulsory transit visa in accordance with specific transit duration.
4. Transit by cruise
New Zealand citizens traveling to Vietnam by cruises and having to transit through Vietnam are free from visa requirement but must stay in a restricted transit area such as ports in which their ships are anchoring. In case New Zealand travelers want to go outside the transit area for tourism purpose, they must apply for services from an international tourist company that must present travel program of the foreigners in details to the competent authority.
Can I do transit through Vietnam without a visa?
New Zealand nationals whose country are in Vietnam exemption list of visa to enter Vietnam will be free from visa requirement in a particular length of stay stipulated by the authority.Unless your country are in exemption list, you are recommended Vietnam visa (stamped on passport in case granted at Embassy/Consulate) or visa approval letter (issued by the Immigration Dept in case getting visa upon arrival) in advance. We will supply you with all information about how to get Vietnam visa.
You will not have to get a Vietnam visa on arrival in advance if you satisfy the following conditions:
- Transit and leave Vietnam for a third country within 24 hours (for example, from Bangkok to Hanoi to Singapore – you cannot “transit” back to the country you started in, like Bangkok to Hanoi to Phuket)
- Apply a valid onward ticket
- Strictly stay in transit area during waiting for the connecting flight
- Have a valid entry document to your final destination
- Travel by a full-service airline (many low-cost airlines such as Jet Star and Vietjet Air will not provide travelers with transit support service even in a very short of time)
This is an experiment of a travelers who got transit visa for there trip: Last trip, he landed himself in hot water due to travelling by Vietjet Air. He missed his flight for not having his visa done in advance as transiting in Bangkok from Doha to Vietnam. At first, he didn’t know that Vietjet Air couldn’t support him transit support. With no transit visa, at last he had to stay in Bangkok and missed his flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Applying for a Vietnam Transit Visa
New Zealand citizens can apply for a Vietnam transit visa online or at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. The online application process is the most convenient and quickest option.
Online Application
To apply for a Vietnam transit visa online, New Zealand citizens will need to submit the following documents:
- A completed online visa application form.
- A copy of their passport’s biodata page.
- A copy of their onward ticket.
- A copy of their visa for the third country, if required.
- A passport-sized photograph.
- Payment for the visa fee.
Embassy or Consulate Application
To apply for a Vietnam transit visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, New Zealand citizens will need to submit the same documents as for the online application.
Processing Time
The processing time for a Vietnam transit visa is typically 2-3 business days. However, it is advisable to apply for the visa well in advance of your travel date, as the processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Vietnamese immigration authorities.
Visa Fee
The visa fee for a Vietnam transit visa is USD 30.
Validity
A Vietnam transit visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
Extension
It is not possible to extend a Vietnam transit visa.
Contact Information
For more information on Vietnam transit visas, New Zealand citizens can contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
In conclusion, you should find out carefully about Vietnam transit visa when planning your trip to this country, in order to avoid unwanted trouble. Are there any question you need our help? Do not hesitate to leave a comment below or visit the website Embassy of Vietnam in New Zealand, it is provided for information and service purpose.
