Vietnam Visa & Passport Photo Requirements (USA)

US citizens visiting Vietnam need an e-visa with a 4×6cm photo on a plain white background — plus a separate passport data-page scan. Renewing a Vietnamese passport in the US? Most missions want 2×2 inch prints instead.

4×6cm e-visa ready 2×2in passport format White background

e-Visa Photo Rules

Size4×6cm (~480×640px)
ResolutionMin 300 DPI
BackgroundPlain white
Head size70–80% of frame
GlassesNot allowed
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed
RecencyWithin last 6 months
FileJPG, well under 1MB

You Need Two Different Images

Your portrait photo and your passport data-page scan must be separate files. Reusing the same image for both is a documented rejection cause.

Use the Official Site Only

Apply only at evisa.gov.vn. Many lookalike third-party sites charge markup fees for the same government e-visa.

Passport Renewal Uses a Different Size

Most US Vietnamese missions ask for 2×2 inch photos for passport renewal — not the 4×6cm e-visa standard.

Vietnam vs US: Side-by-Side Comparison

Requirement Vietnam e-Visa Vietnamese Passport (US Missions) US Passport
Size4×6cm (~480×640px)2×2 in (most missions)2×2 in (51×51 mm)
BackgroundPlain whiteWhiteWhite or off-white
Head size70–80% of frameNot explicitly specified1 to 1 3/8 in head height
GlassesNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed; medical exception possible
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closedNeutral, no teeth showingNeutral or natural smile
RecencyWithin 6 monthsWithin 6 months–1 year (varies)Within 6 months
Extra requirementSeparate passport data-page scan2–3 physical prints, notarized docsNone

Note: Vietnam's domestic/e-visa standard is 4×6cm, but most US-based Vietnamese missions have adapted to the American 2×2 inch convention for passport renewal prints. The New York consulate's own guidance still cites 4×6cm — confirm with your specific mission.

Vietnam e-Visa for US Citizens

US citizens are eligible for Vietnam's e-Visa, applied for entirely online through the official government portal.

What You Upload

  • Portrait photo: 4×6cm, white background, no glasses
  • Passport scan: clear color scan of the data page — must be a different image than your portrait
  • Both files: JPG/JPEG, well under 1–2MB

Process & Cost

  • Apply only at evisa.gov.vn — avoid paid lookalike sites
  • Cost: approximately $25–$50 for up to 90 days
  • Passport must be valid 6+ months with 2+ blank pages
  • Confirm your entry airport/border is on the approved list
Get Vietnam e-Visa Photo

Vietnamese Passport Renewal from the US

Overseas Vietnamese can renew at the Embassy (Washington DC) or Consulates (San Francisco, Houston, New York), in person or by mail. Existing passport must have at least 30 days remaining validity; applicants must be at least 14 years old for the standard renewal path.

$110
Renewal fee
2–3
Photos required
3–5 days
Processing time

Fee is paid by money order or cashier's check payable to the Embassy/Consulate of Vietnam — no cash or personal checks. Applicants under 14 require a parent/guardian to complete the application.

Vietnamese Missions in the US

Washington DC (Embassy) San Francisco (Consulate General) Houston (Consulate) New York (Consulate General)

Mail-in applications need a prepaid return envelope with tracking (USPS/UPS/FedEx recommended).

What To Bring

  • Application form + biography (M.01/LS)
  • 2–3 photos (check size with your mission)
  • Current passport + copy of first 3 pages
  • Proof of US legal status

Common Vietnam e-Visa Photo Rejection Reasons

These are the most frequently cited mistakes across official and third-party guidance:

Planning a broader Southeast Asia trip? Thailand handles passport photos differently: see the Thailand passport and eVisa photo guide for the on-site biometric capture workflow.

Same Photo Reused

Using the same image for both your portrait and passport scan is a documented rejection cause. They must be separate files.

Glasses Worn

Not permitted, including prescription glasses. Remove them before your photo is taken.

Passport Scan Illegible

Glare, cut-off text, or fingers covering the machine-readable zone will cause rejection of the passport page scan.

Wrong Head Size

Head must fill 70-80% of the frame. Too small or too large a head crop will be flagged.

Frequently Asked Questions

4cm x 6cm (approximately 480x640 pixels at 300 DPI), color, on a plain white background, JPG/JPEG format. Keep the file well under 1MB even though some sources cite a 2MB limit.

No. Glasses, including prescription glasses, are not permitted. Remove them before taking your photo.

Yes. You must upload a clear color scan of your passport's data page separately from your portrait photo. The two images must be different files -- reusing the same image is a common rejection cause.

Yes, evisa.gov.vn is the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal. Many lookalike third-party sites charge markup service fees for the same government e-visa -- always verify the domain before paying.

Most US missions (Washington DC, San Francisco) request 2x2 inch photos, even though Vietnam's domestic standard is 4x6cm. The New York consulate's guidance specifies 4x6cm. Check your specific mission before printing.

Typically $25-50 (approximately 625,000-1,250,000 VND) for a visa valid up to 90 days, paid through the official evisa.gov.vn portal.

$110, paid by money order or cashier's check payable to the Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.

Need a Compliant Vietnam e-Visa or Passport Photo?

We generate a properly cropped 4×6cm photo with a pure white background for your e-visa, or a 2×2 inch print for Vietnamese passport renewal — whichever your mission requires.

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Digital download + print template included. Works for e-visa and passport applications.