When the cold winter months in Europe starts to creep in, it’s normal to want to escape somewhere tropical. Southeast Asia is especially a popular destination since it’s both easily accessible from Europe, it’s safe, it’s known to be affordable and it’s absolutely stunning. Many tourists who travel to Southeast Asia tends to eventually end up in Vietnam, one of the most beautiful countries you can find. There’s so much to see and do in the country. You can for example enjoy the stunning coastline with its golden sand beaches and crystal clear water, the Ancient Town in Hoi An, which is known across the world for being one of the most stunning places in Vietnam, and Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can cruise around thousands of limestone islands and islets that has risen from the sea. Halong Bay is perhaps the most iconic place in Vietnam and is a must when you travel around the country. Of course, there’s tons of other places that are worth visiting and most travelers tend to stay for at least one month in order to see most of it.
There are a two ways you can get a visa as a citizen of Kosovo. You can either apply for an online visa, a so-called ‘Visa on Arrival’, or you go to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply with them. Since there’s no Vietnamese Embassy in Kosovo, you need to travel outside of of your country. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to go with the online visa. Continue reading to find out more about the two visa options.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Kosovo? (No, citizens of Kosovo 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 Kosovo national in this list, therefore, citizens of Kosovo should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up the visa on arrival at the airports of Vietnam
Vietnam visa on arrival office in Da Nang Int’l Airport
This is the most preferred option for travelers who are going to Vietnam. If you live far away from the Vietnamese Embassy for example, or you do not want to send important documents such as your passport, this is the best option for you. It’s easy to apply to, quick to get and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you only need your computer and internet. If you get a Visa on Arrival, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports: 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 simple. What you need to do is fill out the Online Application form with all relevant information. What you need to state in the application form is:
- Your full name, as stated in your passport
- Date of Birth – The format they use in Vietnam is DD/MM/YY
- Your nationality – as stated in your passport
- Your passport number
- Date of Arrival – you can state a date of arrival and then arrive later, but not earlier
After you have filled this information out, you have to wait for a confirmation email which 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 you need an emergency visa, you can get one within 40 minutes to 4 hours. This will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it much faster.
On arrival support for fast check-in at Vietnam Airports
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 country of Kosovo
Vietnam tourist visa – single entry
The reason why applying for a visa with the Consulate or Embassy of Vietnam in the nearby country of Kosovo might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t live close to the embassy. You will have to spend more time on transportation for example, and money to get to and from the embassy. You also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents such as your passport, and if you happen to forget anything, you need to start the process all over again. You will also 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.
