Chinese citizens are among the top foreign visitors to Vietnam. In fact, there are said to be 4 million Chinese nationals who came to the country last year. Like other foreign nationals, Chinese citizens are required to have a visa to enter the country. When it comes to applying for Vietnam e-visa for Chinese citizens, it’s worth noting that the Chinese e-passports cannot be used. So read this article to find out more about this.
The Chinese e-passport is a new biometric passport that the government of China has issued to its citizens starting in 2012. It’s a special micro-chipped document that contains digitalized biometric information of the passport holder. This document also features the holder’s signature and fingerprints.
The e-Passport is also being used in several other countries around the world. It was integrated with modern microchip technology, which is why it’s difficult to copy. Thus, this passport helps to make traveling to other countries safer.
Another great thing about the Chinese e-passport is that the holder will be able to use the special gates dedicated to e-passport holders at various airports all over the country. These are automated gates at the border control where you can have your e-passport automatically scanned and checked without having to interact with an immigration officer. The e-passport also makes passing through airport gates faster and reduces long queues and waiting times.
The Vietnam e-visa is one of the latest types of visas that Vietnam has introduced to foreign travelers. Unlike the other visas that you need to apply from a Vietnam embassy, the application of e-visa is done online. It eliminates the need for a traveler to visit an embassy or apply for a visa on arrival at the airport. All you need to do is access the website, fill out the online application form, make a payment, and wait for the visa to be sent to your email. The process of application will only take a few minutes of your time and you’ll get the visa after only 3 business days from the date of your application.
The Vietnam e-visa for Chinese will allow you to stay in the country for up to a maximum of 30 days. It’s a single-entry visa so if you’re going out of the country and you plan on coming back, you’ll have to apply for this visa again.
Sure, the Vietnam e-visa is a convenient and easy way to get a visa to Vietnam. Unfortunately, Chinese citizens holding e-passport cannot avail of this visa.
For those who are not aware, there’s an ongoing territorial dispute between China and its neighboring countries of India, Philippines, and Vietnam. The Chinese government has printed a map of China with nine dash line map on the e-passport and this map included those maritime territories that they were claiming from these three countries. So in protest, these three countries will not recognize Chinese e-passports. Therefore, you won’t be able to use this passport in applying for the Vietnam e-visa for Chinese citizens.
Chinese e-passport has passport number begin with letter “E” and it is printed with nine dash line map. This map included those maritime territories that they were claiming from these neighbouring countries
If the Chinese e-passport cannot be used for the application of a Vietnam e-visa, how then can Chinese nationals enter Vietnam?
If you are holding an e-passport, your best bet is to apply for a visa from the Vietnamese embassy in China. You just need to schedule an appointment and you’ll be asked to visit personally to provide the requirements. Also, there are some Vietnamese travel agents in China that can help e-passport holders to obtain a visa to Vietnam. However, the visa will be in a separate document and will not be stamped on your Chinese e-passport.
If you don’t want to go to the embassy or consulate of Vietnam to apply for a visa, you can choose to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival.
But take note that Chinese citizens who are not holding an e-passport can still apply for the Vietnam e-visa for Chinese citizens.
If you are holding an old Chinese passport and not the e-passport, you can go ahead and apply for a Vietnam e-visa to use for your trip to Vietnam. So how do you apply for the e-Visa?
Applying for the e-Visa is easy. You just need to use your mobile phone or laptop, access the Internet and open the browser to visit the website where you can apply for the Vietnam e-visa. When you’re on the website, you will be asked to fill out an application form. This should only take a few minutes of your time.
After you fill out all the details required, you just need to make a payment with your card. When your payment is received, the Vietnam Immigration will start processing your visa. In only 3 business days, you will receive an email for the Vietnam e-visa for Chinese. Just print this e-visa and bring this on your trip to Vietnam.
