Get photo for Vietnam Visa
Last updated: June 13, 2026 · Reviewed by Jack Woo, Senior Travel Documents Specialist
Free and fast photo for Vietnam Visa
Free, fast, and compliant with official requirements
Table of contents
Other documents for Vietnam
Technical requirements for Vietnam Visa
| Size | 40 x 60 mm |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background color |
White background
|
Document Details
Intro
Vietnam's e-visa is an online application open to citizens of every country and territory worldwide, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entries since 15 August 2023. The official portal migrated to evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn on 11 November 2024. The Vietnam visa application requires a portrait photo upload. During research for this article, the official photo specification page at evisa.gov.vn/instruction returned SSL certificate errors, so Vietnam visa photo requirements were unavailable from the official source. Check the current Vietnam visa requirements on the official portal before uploading.
Photo requirements at a glance
The Vietnam e-visa portal requires a portrait photo at submission. During research for this article in June 2026, both evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn returned SSL certificate errors, and the authoritative photo specification page at evisa.gov.vn was not accessible.
The portal's instruction pages publish the required value for each of the following. Check each before preparing your photo.
| Requirement | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | evisa.gov.vn/instruction |
| File format | evisa.gov.vn/instruction |
| Maximum file size | evisa.gov.vn/instruction |
| Photo background color | evisa.gov.vn/instruction |
| Head height within frame | evisa.gov.vn/instruction |
Many external guides cite a Vietnam visa photo size of 4x6 cm and a plain white background color. The official portal was not accessible at the time of writing. Check evisa.gov.vn/instruction for the current requirements before uploading.
Why these specs matter
The Vietnam e-visa portal runs an automated check on the uploaded portrait at submission. A photo outside the accepted specification for dimensions, file format, file size, Vietnam visa photo background color, or facial positioning fails that check and blocks submission until replaced. US State Department guidance notes that even minor discrepancies in a Vietnam e-visa application can result in denial of entry at the border. The instruction pages on the official portal are the authoritative reference for Vietnam e-visa photo requirements.
How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto
iShotAPhoto is a free online tool that formats portrait photos to meet official document photo specifications. After confirming the current Vietnam visa photo size and other requirements on the official portal, follow these steps:
- Open iShotAPhoto and select Vietnam visa from the document list.
- Upload a photo or take one in-app using your device's camera.
- The AI compliance check flags any issues before you download.
- Preview the formatted result at no cost. Download when the preview is correct.
- For applicants using the Visa on Arrival counter at a Vietnamese international airport, iShotAPhoto offers optional printed photo delivery.
How to take it yourself with a phone
Front lighting, not backlight. Place yourself facing a window so natural daylight falls on your face rather than behind you. Overhead-only lighting creates shadows under the eyes and chin that a portal review is likely to flag.
Plain background. Stand or sit close to a plain white or light wall and remove all objects from the frame. Leave a small gap between yourself and the wall to keep your shadow off it.
Camera at eye level. Have another person hold the phone at exactly eye level. A lens held above or below eye level distorts head proportions in the frame.
Straight ahead, both ears visible. Look directly at the lens with your head level and upright. Both ears should appear in the final image. Turning or tilting the head, even slightly, is a frequent reason portrait uploads are rejected.
Neutral expression, mouth closed. Relax your face into a neutral, closed-mouth expression and direct your gaze straight at the lens.
Check before uploading. Zoom into the captured image and confirm the face is sharp, the background is uniformly plain and shadow-free, and there is no glare or reflection on the face.
Common rejection reasons
Name mismatch with the passport
US State Department guidance states that even minor differences between the e-visa and the passport, such as a typo or a missing middle name, may result in denial of entry at the Vietnamese border. Review every name field character by character against your passport before submitting.
Emergency passport
The US State Department advises that the Government of Vietnam may deny an e-visa application submitted using an emergency passport. Apply with a full-validity passport.
Photo fails the portal's automated review
A photo outside the current specification for dimensions, format, file size, background color, or facial positioning will fail the portal's automated check at submission. Because the official photo specification page was inaccessible during research for this article, verify the current Vietnam e-visa photo requirements at evisa.gov.vn/instruction before uploading.
Data entry errors beyond the name field
Any mismatch between the application data and the passport, including date of birth, passport number, or nationality, can delay or void the application. Cross-check every field against the passport before submitting.
How iShotAPhoto compares to other options
Choosing how to prepare your Vietnam e-visa photo comes down to Vietnam visa cost, speed, and confidence the upload will pass the portal's review.
| Option | Cost | Time | Approval likelihood | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShotAPhoto | Low | Quick | High when AI check passes | Very high, available on any device |
| Pharmacy / print kiosk | Low to moderate | Quick | Moderate, staff may not know Vietnam evisa portal specs | Requires a nearby location |
| Photo studio | Premium | Moderate | Highest when studio understands Vietnam visa photo requirements | Requires travel, possibly an appointment |
| Passport photo booth | Low | Quick | Varies, output may not meet digital upload format | Location-dependent |
Costs and times vary by region.
Country-specific notes
Vietnam e-visa 90 days: the August 2023 policy change
Effective 15 August 2023, Vietnam extended the e-visa from a maximum of 30 days single entry to a maximum of 90 days with single or multiple entries. Vietnam's National Assembly approved the law with 470 of 475 deputies voting in favour. Under the amended law, holders may enter and exit an unlimited number of times within the 90-day window without applying for a new visa. Any guide still stating a 30-day limit is citing pre-August 2023 policy.
Official portal migration: November 2024
The Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal moved to evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn on 11 November 2024. The former domain evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn now displays a migration notice. Submit all new applications through the updated domains only.
Printing the e-visa before travel
US State Department guidance states that e-visa holders must present a printed copy of the e-visa together with their valid passport at the port of entry. A digital copy on a device is not a substitute. Print the e-visa before departure.
Passport validity and blank pages
The US State Department notes that the passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended entry date and must contain at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Vietnam visa exemption
Vietnam maintains visa exemption arrangements with a number of countries, allowing those nationals to enter without applying for an e-visa. The Embassy of Vietnam in the USA announced expanded exemptions in August 2023 alongside the e-visa changes. Check immigration.gov.vn for the current Vietnam visa exemption list and stay durations applicable to your nationality.
Special cases
Glasses
The official portal at evisa.gov.vn/instruction publishes the current guidance on glasses for the Vietnam e-visa photo. Removing glasses before the photo eliminates any concern about eye visibility or lens reflections. For embassy or consulate applications, prescription glasses may be acceptable when eyes are clearly visible, though a medical certificate may be required.
Head coverings
Standard visa photo rules exclude hats and other head coverings. An exception applies for religious reasons. The official portal at evisa.gov.vn/instruction specifies the applicable conditions for Vietnam e-visa applications. Check there before your photo session if this applies to you.
Children
Children applying for their own Vietnam e-visa follow the same portrait upload process as adults. A parent or guardian should position the child to face the camera directly with both eyes open and a neutral expression. Verify any age-specific instructions on the official portal before submitting.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Vietnam e-visa valid?
Since 15 August 2023, a Vietnam e-visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entries. Holders can enter and exit an unlimited number of times within the 90-day window. Any guide still stating a 30-day limit is out of date.
How long does it take to get a Vietnam e-visa?
Processing typically takes three to five working days from the date of a complete application submission.
Where do I apply for a Vietnam visa online?
The Vietnam evisa application goes through the official portal at evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn, which replaced the former domain on 11 November 2024. Do not use evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for new applications.
Who can apply for a Vietnam e-visa?
Citizens of all countries and territories worldwide can apply for a Vietnam e-visa as of August 2023. The earlier restriction to approximately 80 nationalities was removed as part of the same policy update that extended validity to 90 days.
Do I need to print my Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. E-visa holders must present a printed copy of the e-visa along with their valid passport at the port of entry.
What happens if the name on my e-visa does not match my passport?
Even minor differences, such as a typo or a missing middle name, between the e-visa and the passport may result in denial of entry at the Vietnamese border. Verify every name field against the passport before submitting the application.
Can I apply for a Vietnam e-visa with an emergency passport?
The Government of Vietnam may deny an e-visa application submitted using an emergency passport. Use a full-validity passport when applying.
Can I enter Vietnam multiple times on one e-visa?
Yes. Under the amended e-visa law effective 15 August 2023, holders may choose the multiple-entry option and enter and exit an unlimited number of times within the 90-day validity period without applying for a new visa.
Related documents
Official sources
- Embassy of Vietnam in the USA — New e-visa and exemption policy, 2023
- VietNam News — National Assembly approves 90-day e-visa extension
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — E-visa extended to 90 days
- US State Department — Vietnam international travel country information
- Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal — Domain migration notice
- Vietnam Immigration Department