Whether you are planning on going on a holiday or business trip, as a citizens of Barbados, you are required of you to apply for a Vietnam visa regardless of the length of your stay. But applying for a Vietnam visa from Barbados has never been as simple as it is today. You can apply for a visa from wherever you are! All you need is your computer (or any computer) and internet. However, this is only possible if you apply for a Visa on Arrival. If you want to apply through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, you will have to go there in person to fill out all the necessary information. Here are the two options further explained:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Barbados? (No, citizens of Barbados are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa)
From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NĐ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for an e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Barbados national in this list, therefore, citizens of Barbados should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1.Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
You can apply for a Visa on Arrival from anywhere in the world. All you need is your computer and internet. If you apply for this type of visa, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports in following cities: Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong. You can only travel by air if you get a VOA, meaning you can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, and so forth.
The process is very easy. What you need to do is fill in the Online Application form where you state your date of birth and other relevant information. You will then have to wait for a confirmation email that usually arrives within 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes don’t forget to print it out so the immigration officers in Vietnam can stamp your passport. If by chance you need to get an emergency visa, it will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it faster. You will get it within 30 minutes to 4 hours.
You also have the option to buy “On Arrival Support” which is a very good option for those who wants to check in to Vietnam faster:
- Standard Support : +US$20/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, then take care of all procedures necessary to get the visa stamped on your passport. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
- VIP Support : +US$35/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, receive your passport and give it back with the visa within 5-10 minutes, then escort you to check out via the VIP gate. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Barbados
The second option is to apply for a visa in your local or nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Barbados. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because it is not as convenient if you do not live close to the embassy. It means you’ will have to spend time on transportation and money. You will also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you by any chance forget anything, you need to start all over again with the process. It is time consuming and you usually need to pick up your passport in the embassy or consulate. Also, be kindly advised that the fees and procedures are subject to change depending on where you apply.
Tourism is continuing to boom in Vietnam and in 2017 it welcomed more than 16 million visitors. What is it that makes Vietnam such a popular destination? Perhaps it is the pristine beaches, the high mountains, the tropical climate, the rich culture and all the fun activities you can do here. If you like to be a bit active on your trip, head south to Mui Ne and try kite surfing. There are classes there you can take if you are a beginner. Head north to Halong Bay if you want to go kayaking in one of the new seven wonders of nature. Go to central Vietnam and ride through the famous Hai Van Pass in Hue and go hiking to see some incredible waterfalls. These are just a few of the things you can do in Vietnam. Have a look at our Vietnam articles to find out what else this Southeast Asian country has to offer.
