Vietnam Visa Requirements for South Sudanese Citizens

Planning a trip from Juba, Wau, Malakal, or Yei, or travelling on a South Sudanese passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, as long as your visa and health documents are sorted before you fly. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens: which visa to choose, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress. It is about South Sudan, not Sudan, which is a different country with its own rules.

Quick Answer

South Sudan is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list for ordinary passports, so South Sudanese passport holders generally need a visa before they travel. For most holidays and short business trips, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam e-visa portal before you apply.

Why South Sudanese Citizens Aren’t Visa-Free

This catches some travellers out. South Sudanese travellers can move easily around parts of East Africa, and many are used to planning visas well in advance for destinations further away, so it’s natural to assume Vietnam works the same way. In fact, Vietnam’s visa-free list doesn’t include South Sudan, but you can usually apply online. Citizens of countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea can enter Vietnam for a limited stay without a visa, while South Sudanese passport holders need an approved visa before they fly. Without one, an airline can refuse to let you board.

Visa-free entry to Vietnam is based on your passport nationality, not on the country where you live. If you’re a South Sudanese citizen living in Kenya, Uganda, Australia, or anywhere else, please don’t assume that a residence permit replaces a Vietnam visa. Be careful when you search online, too, because some pages mix up South Sudan and Sudan. Make sure the information you read is about your own passport. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some special cases, such as certain official passports or exemption certificates, may be treated differently. If you think that applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for South Sudanese Citizens

1. Vietnam e-visa (recommended)

The Vietnam e-visa is 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. It’s the simplest route for most travellers, because you can apply from home, with no embassy visit. Before you pay, check on the official portal that your passport is accepted, and allow extra time in case your application needs more checks.

2. Visa on arrival

A two-step option: you get an approval letter first, then pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport. It adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports. Sources differ on whether it is currently offered to South Sudanese passport holders, so please confirm this before you rely on it. We recommend the e-visa for most travellers.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person or by post at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. There is no Vietnamese embassy in South Sudan, so travellers from South Sudan usually need to apply at an embassy in another country, and the nearest options may be far away. Please check the embassy’s official website for current details. That means extra travel, time, and cost, so most people choose the e-visa unless they need a visa type it doesn’t cover.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for South Sudanese Citizens: 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 before you apply:

• A valid South Sudanese 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 on the official portal before you apply.
• 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.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.
• Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

Health rules are separate from visa rules. South Sudan is among the countries where yellow fever transmission is a risk, and travellers who live in or have travelled through such countries may be asked for a yellow fever vaccination certificate when they arrive in Vietnam. Check the current health requirements with the official Vietnamese authorities or your airline well before you fly, because vaccination needs to be done in advance. The same can apply if you transit through an airport in an affected country, and some transit countries have their own requirements too.

South Sudanese travellers usually connect through at least one other country on the way to Vietnam, often in East Africa or the Gulf. 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 South Sudanese Citizens

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 South Sudanese pounds depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars. Payment cards issued in some countries can’t be used for international online payments, so before you apply, check that you have a card that works, and if you’re unsure, ask us about other ways to pay.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

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. Some sources say applications from certain nationalities take longer, so it’s wise to leave plenty of time.

A good rule of thumb: apply at least two to three weeks before you fly.

In a hurry? We offer faster options and emergency help, but please ask us first so we can tell you what’s realistic for your situation.

A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 5 hours ahead of South Sudan (UTC+2). For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 3:00 AM in Juba. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From South Sudan

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

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.

Common Mistakes South Sudanese Citizens Make

• Forgetting health documents. A visa isn’t the only thing checked at the border. Find out early whether you need a yellow fever certificate.
• Mixing up South Sudan and Sudan. They are different countries with different passports, so make sure you choose the right nationality on the form and read information about your own passport.
• Booking flights and hotels before the visa is approved. Wait for your approval first, or choose flexible bookings, because the government fee is non-refundable.
• Paying with a card that can’t be used abroad. Check that your card allows international online payments before you start.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make the visa unusable. Copy your full name, including any middle names, exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure how to fill in the name fields.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Choosing single entry, then leaving. If you might return, pick multiple entry.
• Ignoring passport expiry. Check it before you book flights.
• Applying too late. Leave a bigger buffer than usual.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup.
• Passport with enough validity and blank pages.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if required for your travel route.
• 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 the visa but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

The e-visa can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day option from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.