Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- VFS Global handles Vietnam sticker visa applications for UK residents on behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy.
- Most UK passport holders can use the Vietnam e-Visa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for tourism and business stays up to 90 days.
- VFS is required for visa categories not covered by e-Visa, including work, long-stay study and family residence.
- UK centre is based in London. Verify the current address at vfsglobal.com before travelling.
- VFS does not decide visas. The Vietnamese Embassy makes the decision.
Address and Contact Details
VFS Global runs the Vietnam visa application centre in the UK on behalf of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in London. The centre is based at a London address shared with other VFS country operations.
To find the current Vietnam visa centre address, open vfsglobal.com/Vietnam/UnitedKingdom. The portal lists the precise address, postcode, opening hours and contact information.
Verify the current Vietnam visa centre address at vfsglobal.com/Vietnam/UnitedKingdom before travelling. Vietnam-specific phone numbers and emails are also published on the same portal.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
VFS Global processes Vietnamese sticker visa categories not available through the e-Visa portal. Common categories include:
- Tourist visa (DL) for nationalities not eligible for e-Visa.
- Business visa (DN) for nationalities not eligible for e-Visa.
- Work visa (LD) accompanied by a Vietnamese work permit.
- Investor visa (DT).
- Visa for family of Vietnamese citizens and residents (TT and VR).
- Student visa (DH).
- Diplomatic and official visas (where applicable).
UK passport holders can apply for Vietnam e-Visa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The e-Visa allows single and multiple entry stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, family or other eligible purposes. UK passport holders also benefit from visa-free entry under certain bilateral arrangements with limited duration. Check current rules before booking with VFS.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open vfsglobal.com/Vietnam/UnitedKingdom and create an account.
- Complete the Vietnamese visa application form linked from the portal.
- Pay the consular visa fee and VFS service fee online.
- Book your appointment slot at the London centre.
- Print the appointment letter with barcode.
Appointment availability is tightest during the Tet (Vietnamese New Year) travel season and around summer holidays.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed appointment letter with barcode.
- Current passport with at least six months validity beyond the intended stay end date and at least one blank page.
- Signed application form (Form NA1 or category-specific form).
- Passport-style photographs to Vietnamese specification (4cm x 6cm, white background).
- Proof of UK residency (BRP, vignette, settled status, or utility bill).
- Visa approval letter (issued in Vietnam for sponsored categories).
- Hotel and flight bookings for tourist visas.
- Work permit and employer letter for work visa.
- Marriage and birth certificates for family visa.
- University acceptance letter for student visa.
Processing Times and Fees
Vietnamese visa consular fees vary by visa type, number of entries and duration. VFS service fees in the UK add to the consular fee. Premium add-ons such as SMS notifications and courier passport return are available at extra cost.
Processing time for a standard Vietnam sticker visa is typically 5 to 7 working days at the embassy plus delivery time. The e-Visa, by comparison, is usually issued within 3 working days, sometimes faster.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sticker visa or e-Visa for Vietnam?
Most UK passport holders can use the Vietnam e-Visa for tourism, business, family and certain other categories up to 90 days. VFS is for long-stay, work, residence and categories outside the e-Visa list.
Can I extend my stay inside Vietnam?
Extensions and longer-term permits are handled by the Vietnamese Immigration Department within Vietnam, not by VFS in the UK.
What is a visa approval letter?
It is a document issued in Vietnam by a sponsor or travel agency that allows a foreign national to collect a visa on arrival or apply for a sticker visa abroad. It is required for some categories.
Do my children need their own visa?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants on a parent's passport-shared booking, requires their own e-Visa or sticker visa.
Is biometric data taken for Vietnam visas in the UK?
Biometric requirements for Vietnamese visas are limited compared with some other countries. Check the current rules on the VFS portal before booking.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced the VFS Global Vietnam UK portal, the Vietnamese Immigration Department's e-Visa portal, and gov.uk foreign travel advice for Vietnam. Visa categories and exemption arrangements can change, so we have pointed readers to the official portals for current rules.