Why Vietnam visa applications get refused, and the fix for each
Why Vietnam visas get refused: 20 reasons across 4 routes, each with the fix, written from the official rules and verified.
Route pages verified 29 October 2026 · How we verify
What gets these files refused
20 refusal reasons across 4 routes, each taken from the officer's published decision criteria and paired with the evidence that answers it. The largest group is documents and forms (10 of 20), which is also the easiest to fix before filing.
| Theme | Reasons | Routes affected | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents and forms | 10 | 4 | Data mismatch |
| Relationship evidence | 3 | 1 | Relationship documents not legalised |
| Ties and intent | 2 | 2 | Previous overstay |
| Sponsor or employer | 2 | 2 | Sponsor not eligible |
| Health and character | 2 | 2 | Residence not registered |
| Eligibility and timing | 1 | 1 | Experience letters inadequate |
Tourist e-Visa: refusal reasons and the fix
Vietnam Tourist e-Visa, government fee USD 25 single entry (USD 50 multiple), up to 90 days; verified against evisa.gov.vn. The route page carries the eligibility test, fees, timeline and document checklist these reasons refer to.
Data mismatch
Name order, passport number or issue date typed differently from the passport.
The fix. Copy the MRZ exactly; Vistolane double-checks every field before payment.
Photo rejected
Glasses, shadows, cropped head or an old photo.
The fix. Use a fresh 4 by 6 portrait on white with a neutral expression.
Wrong port or early arrival
Arrived at a port not on the visa or before the start date.
The fix. Name the first international airport you land at; set the start date at or before the flight.
Previous overstay
Unpaid overstay or deportation record.
The fix. Settle fines and disclose; apply through the embassy if the portal refuses.
Third-party site errors
Paid a lookalike site that submitted wrong data.
The fix. Use evisa.gov.vn only; reapply with correct data.
Business visa: refusal reasons and the fix
Vietnam Business visa, government fee USD 25 single entry (USD 50 multiple); sponsor letter from a Vietnamese company; verified against evisa.gov.vn. The route page carries the eligibility test, fees, timeline and document checklist these reasons refer to.
Sponsor not eligible
Invitation from an individual or a company without a valid registration certificate.
The fix. Use the Vietnamese partner's registered entity or a licensed agent as sponsor.
Purpose inconsistent
Tourist e-Visa holder found working at a factory.
The fix. Hold a DN visa and file the exemption notification; Vistolane pairs the two.
Over 90 days of work
Exemption exceeded in the calendar year.
The fix. Obtain a work permit and LD visa before the 90th day.
Residence not registered
Fine for staying at a private address without police registration.
The fix. Have the host register within 24 hours.
Approval letter mismatch
Sticker visa refused because the letter named another port or date.
The fix. Match the letter, the embassy application and the ticket.
Work visa and work permit: refusal reasons and the fix
Vietnam Work visa and work permit, government fee USD 25 single entry (USD 50 multiple); work permit fee VND 400,000 to 600,000 by province; verified against evisa.gov.vn. The route page carries the eligibility test, fees, timeline and document checklist these reasons refer to.
Experience letters inadequate
Letters without dates or positions, or unrelated to the Vietnamese role.
The fix. Obtain detailed letters on company letterhead and apostille them; align the job title.
Degree not legalised
Photocopy without MEA apostille or Vietnamese translation.
The fix. Apostille and translate before filing; Vistolane's partner manages the notary.
Job posting skipped
No record of the 5-day posting for a non-exempt role.
The fix. Post and keep screenshots before submitting the dossier.
Started work before the permit
Fine of VND 15 to 25 million and possible deportation.
The fix. Attend only orientation until the permit is issued.
Health or police certificate expired
Certificates older than the 12-month or 6-month limits.
The fix. Time the certificates to the filing date.
Family visa and temporary residence card: refusal reasons and the fix
Vietnam Family visa and temporary residence card, government fee USD 25 single entry (USD 50 multiple); residence card USD 145 for 1 to 2 years; verified against evisa.gov.vn. The route page carries the eligibility test, fees, timeline and document checklist these reasons refer to.
Relationship documents not legalised
Certificates without apostille or translation.
The fix. Apostille through the MEA and translate at a Vietnamese notary; Vistolane arranges both.
Sponsor's status too short
Worker's permit or card expiring within months.
The fix. Renew the sponsor's documents first; the dependant's card cannot exceed them.
Marriage not registered in Vietnam
Indian-Vietnamese couple with only an Indian or religious certificate.
The fix. Record the marriage with the People's Committee before applying.
Residence unregistered
Family fined for living at an unregistered address.
The fix. Landlord or host registers with the ward police within 24 hours.
Working on TT status
Spouse found working without a permit.
The fix. Obtain an own work permit; the employer files it.
