Vietnam Visa Requirements for Travelers from Greenland
Planning a trip from Nuuk, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, or Aasiaat, or travelling on a Danish passport issued in Greenland from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, as long as you sort out your entry rules before you fly. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Greenlanders: when you may be able to travel visa-free, when you need a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.
Quick Answer
Greenlanders are citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark and travel on Danish passports. Vietnam’s visa-free stay of up to 45 days is granted to citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark, so Greenlanders with a Danish passport may be able to enter without a visa for a short stay. Because sources don’t describe the situation for Greenland-issued passports clearly, please confirm this before you rely on it. For longer stays, or if you want more certainty, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals.
| Question | Answer for Greenlanders |
|---|---|
| Visa required? | Possibly not for short stays, but please confirm for your passport; a visa is needed for longer stays or paid work |
| Visa-free stay | Up to 45 days from the date of entry, if it applies to your passport |
| Best option for certainty or longer stays | Vietnam e-visa (apply online) |
| E-visa maximum stay | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| E-visa government fee | US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry |
| E-visa processing time | Officially about 3 working days; allow a little longer |
| Passport validity | Aim for at least 6 months remaining, with blank pages (see below) |
Do Greenlanders Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Possibly not, for a short trip. Vietnam has granted citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark a visa exemption under a government resolution, and it lets you stay up to 45 days from the date you enter, as long as you meet Vietnam’s normal entry conditions. Greenlanders are Danish citizens and hold Danish passports, so the exemption is likely to apply. However, we have not found a clear official statement about passports issued in Greenland, and at least one website says Greenlanders are not exempt, so it’s wise to check before you book.
The exemption is generally described as covering visits such as holidays, family visits, meetings, and short business trips. It is not meant for paid work, investment projects, or long-term stays, which need a different visa. It is also granted for a fixed period and may be renewed or changed, so confirm that it still applies when you book.
The exemption depends on your passport, not on the place where you live. If you’re a Greenlander living in Denmark, Canada, or anywhere else, travel on your Danish passport and don’t assume that a residence permit changes the rules. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some special cases, such as diplomatic or service passports, may be treated differently. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.
Vietnam Visa Options for Greenlandic Passport Holders
1. Visa-free entry (stays up to 45 days, to be confirmed)
If the exemption applies to your passport, you don’t need to apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at immigration, along with any documents the airline or officers ask for, such as your onward ticket and accommodation details. The visa-free stay can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so plan to leave before your time runs out, and count the days carefully.
2. Vietnam e-visa (certainty, longer stays, and other purposes)
If you want certainty, plan to stay longer than 45 days, or your trip doesn’t fit the visa-free rules, the Vietnam e-visa is the simplest route. It’s an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you fly. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. A visa on arrival is another route some travellers use, but it adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports, so we recommend the e-visa.
3. Embassy or consulate visa
You can apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover, such as a work visa. There is no Vietnamese embassy in Greenland, so you would apply in another country, for example through the Vietnamese embassy in Denmark. Please check the embassy’s official channels for current details. For most holiday and short business trips, the visa-free stay or the e-visa is quicker and saves you the trip.
Which one should you choose?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Holiday or short business trip, up to 45 days | Visa-free entry if confirmed for your passport; otherwise e-visa |
| You want certainty before you fly | E-visa |
| Staying longer than 45 days | E-visa |
| Several trips, or you want more flexibility | E-visa, multiple entry |
| Paid work, investment, or long-term stay | Ask us, since you will need a different visa type |
Vietnam E-Visa for Greenlanders: How It Works
You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.
Single or multiple entry?
- Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
- Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for side trips to neighbouring countries.
Documents and Passport Requirements
Have these ready, whether you travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa:
- A valid Danish passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
- Enough validity. Sources describe the six-month rule in slightly different ways. To stay safe, aim for a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Vietnam, and confirm the exact rule before you travel.
- Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
- Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.
For an e-visa application, you will also need:
- A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
- A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
- A payment card and an email address you check often.
The journey from Greenland to Vietnam usually involves several connections. Check whether you need a transit visa for each connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.
Vietnam Visa Cost for Greenlanders
Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need an e-visa, your total has two parts.
Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.
Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in Danish kroner depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars.
How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?
If you need an e-visa, official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.
A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you fly.
In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.
A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time (UTC+7), and Greenland has several time zones that can change with the season. Vietnam is many hours ahead, so a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time falls late in the evening of the previous day in Nuuk. Check the exact time difference for your town and the time of year before you rely on a cut-off.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Greenland
If you’re confident that you can travel visa-free, there’s nothing to apply for. If you need an e-visa, follow these steps:
- Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
- Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
- Upload your photo and passport scan.
- Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
- We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
- Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.
The Date Mistake to Avoid
For an e-visa, your stay doesn’t begin when you land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.
With such a long journey and a big time difference, you may land a day or two after you leave. Count your arrival date in Vietnam time, not in Greenland time. If you travel visa-free, write down your arrival date and your last day in Vietnam, and leave a small buffer before your flight home.
Common Mistakes Greenlanders Make
- Assuming you’re visa-free without checking. Confirm how your Danish passport issued in Greenland is treated before you rely on the visa-free stay.
- Staying longer than the allowance. The visa-free stay can’t be extended inside Vietnam, so leave in time or get a visa first.
- Assuming the exemption covers paid work. It’s for visits, so ask us if your plans involve work or other activities that earn income.
- Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
- Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make an e-visa unusable. Names can include letters such as æ, ø, and å, so use the spelling shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
- Entering the wrong arrival date. With a large time difference, double-check the date you land in Vietnam.
- Forgetting your transit visas. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
- Ignoring passport expiry. Check it before you book flights.
- Applying too late. If you need an e-visa, even fast options work best with a buffer.
Entry Checklist Before You Fly
- Passport with enough validity and blank pages.
- Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
- Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
- Return or onward flight details.
- First night’s accommodation details.
- Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
- Travel insurance, which isn’t required for entry but is a smart idea.
Staying Longer Than Planned?
Neither the visa-free stay nor the e-visa can be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day e-visa from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.