You live in New Jersey on an H-1B. Or you have a green card. Or you're finishing a master's in Texas on an F-1. You've just booked Hanoi for the holidays, and now the question every Indian in America asks: do I follow Indian rules or US rules for my Vietnam visa?
Your passport decides, not where you live. If you travel on an Indian passport, you need a Vietnam visa whether you fly from Mumbai, Michigan or Miami. Your H-1B, green card or OPT status doesn't change that.
The good news: Vietnam's e-visa is fully online, lasts up to 90 days, and you can apply from your sofa in the US. (New to this? Start with our passport vs residency guide.)
Do Indians living in the US need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. India isn't on Vietnam's visa-exemption list. A green card doesn't count either: only a US passport would change the rules, and then you'd follow the rules for American citizens.
One exception: Phu Quoc Island lets Indians in visa-free for up to 30 days, but only if you fly straight to Phu Quoc from outside Vietnam and stay on the island. Connect through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and the exemption no longer applies.
Vietnam e-visa at a glance (2026)
| Single entry | Multiple entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | USD 25 | USD 50 |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| Processing | About 3 working days (5–7 in peak season) | Same |
| Apply from | Anywhere, including the US | Same |
| Refund if rejected? | No | No |
Pick multiple entry if you'll pop over to Cambodia or Laos and come back. The fee isn't refunded if you're rejected, which is why getting details right first time matters.
Documents you need
- Indian passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with 2 blank pages
- A recent passport-style photo on a white background, no glasses
- A clear scan of your passport's photo page
- Your entry and exit points (for example Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi)
- Your arrival date and an address in Vietnam (your hotel is fine)
- A card to pay the fee
You don't upload your US visa, green card or I-20 for the e-visa. Carry them anyway: you need them to fly back to the US.
Mistakes that get NRI applications rejected
- Mixing up nationality and residence. Give your US address where asked, but keep nationality as Indian everywhere.
- Wrong entry port. Land somewhere other than the airport on your e-visa and you can be refused boarding or entry.
- Start date too early. Set it to your real arrival date or you lose days from the 90-day window.
- Blurry photo or passport scan. The most common cause of delays.
- Name mismatch. Copy your name exactly as on your passport, not your US driver's licence.
Before you fly back to the US
This is the part most guides skip. Vietnam is easy; getting back into America is what needs care.
- H-1B: check your visa stamp is still valid. If it has expired you'll need re-stamping at a US consulate before you can return.
- F-1 and OPT: carry an I-20 with a travel signature from your DSO (within 12 months, or 6 months on OPT) plus your EAD if you're on OPT.
- Green card: short trips are routine; carry your card and avoid absences of a year or more.
Check with your employer, DSO or immigration attorney before a long trip.
Get your Vietnam e-visa with Krosz in 5 steps
- Pick Vietnam and your trip type. Open Vietnam e-visa on Krosz and choose tourist, business or family visit. You see the full price before you start: ₹1,999 Krosz service fee + GST, plus the government fee.
- Sign in with a one-time code. No password to remember: enter your email and type the OTP we send.
- Upload your passport and photo. Krosz reads your passport page and pre-fills your details, so you only check them.
- Add your trip details and pay securely. Dates, entry point and where you're staying, then pay by UPI, card or net banking.
- A Krosz visa expert checks everything, then submits. A trained expert reviews every document one-to-one before it reaches the government, and you track the status until your visa arrives by email.
[Start your Vietnam e-visa with Krosz →](/visa/vietnam/visa-for-indians)
Rules and fees last checked on 11 October 2026. Visa rules change often: always confirm on the official government website or with your airline before you fly.