Vietnam eVisa Rejection Reasons & What to Do

A Vietnam eVisa rejection is stressful but almost always fixable. The most common rejection reasons are avoidable errors – an incorrect passport number, a photo that does not meet the Vietnam eVisa photo requirements, or an expired passport. There is no formal appeal process, but you can reapply the same day once you correct the error. This guide covers the top 5 rejection reasons, how to fix each one, and how to submit a clean application on your next attempt. For a full overview of the eVisa system, see our Vietnam eVisa guide.

Top 5 Reasons Vietnam eVisa Applications Get Rejected

Vietnam’s Immigration Department rejects eVisa applications for specific, identifiable reasons. Based on traveler reports and common patterns, these are the five most frequent causes:

Each of these reasons has a specific fix. The sections below explain what went wrong and what you need to do.

eVisa Photo Rejection – What Goes Wrong

Photo issues are the single most common cause of Vietnam eVisa rejection. The system uses biometric matching to compare your portrait photo against your passport photo, and even small discrepancies can trigger a rejection.

The most common photo mistakes include:

• Cropped passport photo – Taking your portrait image from your passport page. The system detects this and rejects it. You must upload a separate, recently taken portrait photo.
• Wrong background – The background must be white or light-colored. Busy backgrounds, patterns, or outdoor settings cause rejection.
• Glasses worn – Remove all glasses for the photo, including prescription glasses and sunglasses.
• Low resolution or blurry image – The photo must be clear, with your face fully visible. Poor lighting, heavy shadows, or glare cause rejection.
• Old photo – The portrait must be taken within the last 6 months. Significantly older photos may not match your current appearance.
• Portrait and passport photo fields swapped – The application has two upload fields. The first is for your portrait, the second is for your passport data page. Uploading the wrong image to the wrong field causes rejection.

The passport scan also matters. You must upload a clear photo of the bio page (the page with your photo and personal details), not the passport cover. The entire page must be visible, including the ICAO machine-readable lines at the bottom. If the ICAO line is cut off or unreadable, the system cannot verify your data.

How to Fix Each Rejection Reason

Once you know why your application was rejected, the fix is straightforward. Here is what to do for each of the five main rejection reasons:

1. Incorrect passport information – Open your passport and re-enter every field exactly as printed. Pay special attention to: surname vs. given name order, the letter O vs. number 0, and the letter I vs. number 1 in your passport number. Match the ICAO line at the bottom of your passport bio page.
2. Non-compliant photo – Take a new portrait photo against a white background, without glasses, facing the camera directly, with both ears visible. Upload the portrait to the first field and the passport bio page scan to the second field. Both images must be JPG or PNG, under 2MB.
3. Passport validity issue – Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date into Vietnam. If it expires sooner, you must renew your passport before applying.
4. Wrong dates – Enter all dates in DD/MM/YYYY format. Verify that your entry date is before your exit date, and that both fall within the eVisa validity period you selected.
5. Unofficial website – If you applied through any website other than evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, your application may have gone to a third-party or fake site. Reapply through the official portal only (see the fake website warning section below).

How to Reapply After eVisa Rejection

There is no mandatory waiting period after a rejection. You can submit a new application the same day. Here is the reapplication process:

1. Read the rejection notice carefully. It may contain a brief note indicating which field or document caused the rejection.
2. Fix the specific error. Use the correction guidance above for your rejection reason.
3. Prepare new documents if needed. This may include a new passport photo, a fresh passport scan, or corrected personal details.
4. Submit a new application on the official portal. Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn and start a fresh application. You cannot edit or reopen a rejected application.
5. Pay the fee again. Each application requires a separate payment. The fee from your rejected application is not transferred or refunded.
6. Save your new registration code. Use it to track your application status.
7. Monitor your application status. Check the portal regularly using your registration code, email, and date of birth. No email notification is sent when the eVisa is approved.

For detailed application instructions, see our Vietnam eVisa application guide.

Can You Appeal a Vietnam eVisa Rejection?

No. Vietnam does not offer a formal appeal process for rejected eVisa applications. There is no government office or form you can use to challenge the decision. The only path forward is to correct the error that caused the rejection and submit a new application.

This is why accuracy matters more than speed. A single typo can cost you the application fee and delay your trip. Double-check every field before you submit.

What Happens to Your Fee When eVisa Is Rejected?

The fee is non-refundable. When your Vietnam eVisa application is rejected, the $25 USD (single entry) or $50 USD (multiple entry) government fee is not refunded. It does not carry over to a new application. Each new submission requires a separate payment.

This applies regardless of the rejection reason. Whether the error was a typo, a photo issue, or an expired passport, the fee from the rejected application is lost. This is one of the most important reasons to verify all details before submitting.

Warning – Fake and Unofficial eVisa Websites

One of the most costly rejection scenarios is applying through a fake or unofficial website. Many websites are designed to look like the official Vietnam eVisa portal but are operated by third parties or scammers. These sites may:

• Charge inflated fees ($80-$200+ instead of $25-$50)
• Steal your personal data, including passport numbers and photos
• Submit incomplete or incorrect applications on your behalf
• Issue fake or invalid visa approval letters
• Never submit your application at all

The only official Vietnam eVisa portal is: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

Any other website claiming to be the official eVisa system is not authorized by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Look for these red flags:

• The URL is not evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
• The site charges more than $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry
• The site asks for payment before you complete the application form
• The site guarantees approval or promises faster processing than the standard timeline
• The site has no .gov.vn domain

If you have already applied through an unofficial site, your data may be compromised. Consider monitoring your accounts and reapplying through the official portal.

Processing Delay vs. Rejection – How to Tell

Not every slow response means rejection. Vietnam eVisa applications typically take 3-5 business days to process, but delays can extend this to 7-10 business days or longer during peak travel periods and holidays. Here is how to tell the difference:

If your application has been “In Processing” for more than 10 business days, it is likely experiencing a delay rather than a rejection. Common causes of delay include high application volumes (especially before holidays), incomplete information requiring manual review, or nationalities that require additional security checks. For current processing timelines, see our Vietnam eVisa processing time guide.

Do not submit a duplicate application while your first one is still processing – this can actually cause a rejection.

Tips to Avoid Vietnam eVisa Rejection

Follow this checklist before submitting your application to minimize the chance of rejection:

• Verify every field against your passport. Match name, date of birth, sex, passport number, issue date, and expiry date exactly as printed.
• Match the ICAO line. The machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport bio page contains your data in a specific format. Your typed entries should match this line.
• Take a new portrait photo. Do not crop from your passport. Use a white background, remove glasses, face the camera, and ensure the photo is recent (within 6 months).
• Upload the correct images to the correct fields. Portrait in the first field, passport bio page in the second field.
• Use DD/MM/YYYY date format. Not MM/DD/YYYY.
• Check passport validity. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
• Select the correct entry port. Your eVisa is only valid at the port you select. Make sure it matches your actual arrival point.
• Use the official portal only. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Do not use third-party or unofficial websites.
• Do not submit duplicate applications. Wait for your first application to be processed before submitting another.
• Check your status regularly. Log in to the portal with your registration code to check for updates or requests for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The vietnamevisa.info editorial team specializes in Vietnamese travel documentation. Last updated July 2026.