Already approved for a Vietnam e-visa but changed your itinerary – can you enter early?

As a visa consultant with 15 years of experience, we often receive this question. Many travelers or overseas Vietnamese successfully apply for an e-visa through the official website immigration.gov.vn and fill in a specific entry date. But if their plans change, they wish to enter earlier. A common question: Can I enter Vietnam before the date listed on my e-visa?

Why can’t you enter early?

The clear answer is: You cannot.

Even if your e-visa has been approved, you can only enter Vietnam on the date listed or after. If you arrive earlier, you will be denied entry by border control.

Example:

  • E-visa entry date: May 6, 2025
  • Allowed entry time: May 6th or later
  • Entry before May 5th or earlier is not allowed.

How to Enter Vietnam Early – Quick Solutions

Currently, the only legal way to enter early is:
🔁 Reapply for a new e-visa.
You need to submit a new e-visa application and fill in a new, earlier entry date.

Important notes:

  • The system allows multiple applications;
  • The new application will not affect your previous visa;
  • You can choose expedited or express services, with approval within 4 hours at the fastest. However, it is important to note that the Vietnam Immigration Department website (immigration.gov.vn) does not offer expedited visa services. If you need an emergency visa, you must apply for a new one through a qualified travel agency or visa service company and fill in the entry date you wish. These agencies can submit the application on your behalf and provide expedited processing options.

If you need help, feel free to visit our website Visa Vietnam HK for efficient visa services.

How to Apply for an Expedited E-Visa to Enter Vietnam Early

Currently, there are two ways to reapply for a visa to enter Vietnam early, depending on your time frame and needs:

Option 1: Apply for a new visa yourself through the official website

  • Visit the Vietnam Immigration Department website immigration.gov.vn;
  • Select the type of visa (tourism, business, transit, etc.);
  • Fill in passport information and new entry date;
  • Upload a photo and the passport homepage;
  • Pay the visa fee (25 USD);
  • Wait for the normal processing time, usually 4-5 working days.
    Advantages: Lower cost, official process, suitable for those with ample time.
    Disadvantages: Not suitable for travelers who need to enter early.

Option 2: Apply for an expedited visa through a visa service agency
 If you need quick processing, you can contact a travel agency or visa service company to apply for an expedited e-visa service.

  • Submit passport and entry date;
  • Choose the required expedited service:
    • Normal expedited (2 working days)
    • Fast expedited (1 working day)
    • Express expedited (same-day approval)
    • Ultra-urgent service (fastest 2 hours)
  • Pay the corresponding service fee;
  • Receive the visa document.
    Advantages: Fast processing, flexible entry date.
    Disadvantages: Higher cost, must go through a trusted service agency.

📌 Reminder: The Vietnam Immigration Department website does not offer expedited options; all expedited services must be handled through third parties.

What if the Visa is Approved but You Discover a Date Error at the Airport?

If your Vietnam e-visa has been approved but you discover at the airport, or before boarding, that you’ve arrived a day or a few days earlier than the date on your visa—unfortunately, you will not be allowed entry.

In this emergency situation, there are two options:

  1. Use the modification service of a travel agency
     Some experienced visa agents or travel agencies may offer emergency services to assist you in modifying the entry date on your approved visa. You can contact us via Visa Vietnam HK for assistance.
    ⚠️ Note:
  • This service is more expensive;
  • You must cooperate with arrangements for a specialist to meet you at the Vietnam airport to assist with entry procedures;
  • Not all situations will be successful, as there are uncertainties and risks.
  1. Reapply for a new visa (Recommended)
     If you have a little time (for example, your flight is tomorrow or the day after), immediately contact a travel agency to apply for a new expedited visa and set the new entry date to your actual arrival date.
    This is a more controllable and safer solution, avoiding being denied boarding or detained at the border.

👉 Summary Suggestion: Only consider using the travel agency’s modification service in very urgent situations when there is no time to reapply for a visa. If you still have time, prioritize reapplying for a new visa for a lower risk and higher success rate.

What if the Visa is Still Being Processed but You Want to Change the Entry Date?

If you’ve already applied for an e-visa through the Vietnam government website but it’s still being processed and you find that you want to change your entry date—unfortunately, the system does not allow you to modify information in your application.

  • You cannot request a date change by email or online messages;
  • The immigration department will not respond to such requests;
  • Once submitted, the system does not allow modifications.

Legal Solution: Reapply for a New Visa
 Even if you have already submitted an e-visa application, as long as it has not been approved, you can still submit a second new application and fill in your desired entry date.
Suggestion:

  • If time is tight, consider using the expedited service to apply for a new visa;
  • If you have plenty of time, you can apply through the government website normally;
  • This is the optimal and most effective solution, as your previous application will not affect the new one. If you still have more than 5 days, we suggest directly reapplying on the immigration department’s website.

Things to Note When Reapplying for an E-Visa

  • Your passport must be valid for at least 2 months beyond the visa expiration date; it is not mandatory to have 6 months remaining on the passport.
  • Double-check the entry and exit dates before submitting.
  • Always print out your e-visa and carry it with you when traveling.
  • If you have both an old and new visa, use the one that matches your actual entry date to avoid confusion at border control.

Illustration: Sample of a Vietnam E-Visa

Sample of a Vietnam E-Visa
Sample of a Vietnam E-Visa

Differences Between “Modify Visa” and “Reapply for Visa”

Many people, when facing changes in their itinerary, will hear about “modifying a visa” or “reapplying for a visa.” So what’s the difference? Which one should you choose?

In extreme emergencies where you need a visa approval within 1 hour, you might consider using the modify visa service (usually arranged through a travel agency with coordination for a specialist to meet you). However, this service is expensive and only suitable for situations where you cannot wait to reapply for the visa.

If you have 2-4 hours or more, or can wait for approval within the same day, it is recommended to reapply for a new visa:

  • Lower cost;
  • Legal and secure process;
  • Does not rely on airport cooperation or third-party coordination;
  • Higher success rate.

👉 Suggestion: Prioritize reapplying for a visa, and only consider modifying the visa in situations where there is absolutely no time.

Summary
 If you want to enter Vietnam earlier but your current e-visa shows a later entry date, the best solution is to reapply for a new visa with a new entry time.
Do not attempt to arrive at the border hoping for “special leniency”—this is almost never granted.
If you need assistance with an expedited visa application or personalized advice, feel free to contact a professional visa agency or leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to help!