How to expedite an emergency Vietnam e-visa stuck in processing during Tet holiday 2026
This guide explains how Vietnam e-visa processing functions during Tet, why delays are common, and how travellers can expedite an emergency Vietnam e-visa legally and effectively.
The Tet holiday (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is Vietnam’s longest and most important national holiday. While it is a festive and meaningful time to visit the country, it is also the most difficult period for visa processing.
During the Tet holiday, standard Vietnam e-visa processing is suspended or severely limited, but overtime and emergency e-visa processing remains available for urgent cases. If your travel date is approaching and your e-visa has not been approved, understanding how emergency processing works during Tet is critical.
When is the Vietnamese Tet holiday in 2026?
In 2026, the Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday is officially scheduled to run from February 14 to February 22. During this period, many government offices, businesses, and services are closed or operate with reduced capacity, often leading to delays in administrative processes such as e-visa approvals.
If you plan to travel during the Tet holidays, apply for your Vietnam e-visa at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Double-check all passport details carefully and avoid submitting applications close to holiday dates.
Early planning is the most reliable way to avoid emergency processing costs and last-minute stress.
Why Vietnam e-visa applications are delayed during the Tet holiday
Tet holiday 2026 lasts for 9 days, during which most government offices, including the Vietnam Immigration Department, operate on an official holiday schedule. Although the online Vietnam e-visa system remains open for submissions and status checks, normal processing does not operate during Tet.
Vietnam e-visa applications often remain in “processing” during Tet due to reduced staffing, holiday leave, and a sharp increase in travel demand before and after the holiday. Applications submitted close to Tet are usually deferred unless emergency handling is requested.
For travellers who did not apply well in advance, these delays can create urgent and stressful situations.
Is Vietnam e-visa processing available during the Tet holiday 2026?
Yes, Vietnam e-visa processing is still available during the Tet holiday 2026, but only through overtime or emergency processing. Standard processing timelines do not apply during the holiday period.
Overtime processing allows immigration officers to review and approve urgent e-visa applications outside normal working hours. This option is intended for travellers who cannot delay their trip and whose applications are stuck due to the Tet holiday closure.
What is overtime and emergency Vietnam e-visa processing on holiday?
Overtime Vietnam e-visa processing refers to special holiday handling by immigration officers during Tet, outside standard office hours. This is not a default or automatic option and is not selectable on the official government e-visa website.
Emergency processing is typically arranged through licensed visa services that coordinate urgent submissions and follow-ups during Tet. Because of overtime working during official holidays, processing capacity is limited, and additional service fees apply.
The overtime e-visa service is processed directly by the Vietnam Immigration Department through the official government website. As a result, travellers receive a fully legitimate e-visa with the same validity as one issued under the standard processing timeline.
This option is most suitable for travellers facing imminent departure dates or unavoidable travel commitments.
How to expedite a Vietnam e-visa during the Tet holiday 2026
Review your current e-visa application carefully
Before requesting emergency support, check your Vietnam e-visa status and review all submitted details. Even small errors, such as incorrect passport numbers, misspelt names, or the wrong passport date of expiry, can cause delays that are difficult to resolve during Tet.
Vietnam e-visa applications cannot be edited after submission, so identifying issues early helps determine the fastest solution.
Decide whether to reapply or request emergency processing
If your application contains a clear mistake and your travel date is still several days away, submitting a new, corrected application may be effective. However, if your application appears correct and your departure is imminent, overtime emergency processing is usually the only viable option during the Tet holiday 2026.
Waiting for standard processing to resume after Tet may result in missed travel plans.
Use licensed Vietnam e-visa emergency support during Tet
Licensed visa support agencies, like emergencyvisavietnam.com, continue operating during Tet and can assist with overtime emergency Vietnam e-visa processing. These services help coordinate priority handling, holiday submissions, and direct follow-ups in accordance with immigration regulations.
Emergency e-visa support during Tet is especially important because:
- Standard processing is not available
- Immigration staff availability is limited
- Processing queues are longer than usual
- Timing is extremely sensitive
Depending on nationality and time of submission, emergency processing may take 4 to 24 hours.
Confirm entry requirements with your airline
Airlines strictly enforce Vietnam’s entry requirements. If your Vietnam e-visa is still in “processing” close to departure, contact your airline early to confirm boarding requirements and documentation.
Travellers without an approved Vietnam e-visa are generally denied boarding, regardless of holiday circumstances.
What to avoid when your Vietnam e-visa is stuck during Tet
– Avoid waiting passively if your travel date is near, as standard processing does not resume until after Tet. Acting promptly before the Vietnam Immigration Department’s closure on February 14 can significantly reduce the fees required for overtime e-visa services during the Tet holiday.
– Do not submit multiple duplicate applications without correcting errors, as this can waste your money and further delay approval.
– You should not assume that boarding is permitted with an e-visa application in “processing” status or that the visa can be arranged upon arrival at the destination airport.
Steps to apply for an overtime Vietnam e-visa during the Tet holiday with us
If your existing Vietnam e-visa application is in “processing”, or if you forgot to apply for a Vietnam visa and your travel date is approaching, overtime e-visa processing is the only available option. Below are the simple steps to apply for emergency Vietnam e-visa processing during the Tet holiday with us:
Step 1: Contact us for an eligibility check
Send us your travel details as soon as possible, including your nationality, intended entry date, and current e-visa status (if already applied). Our team will quickly confirm whether your case qualifies for overtime emergency processing during the Tet holiday.
Early contact is critical, as overtime processing during Tet is limited. Our email vietnamvisabooking@gmail.com and phone/WhatsApp number +84-912-685-141 are available 24/7 for emergency visa requests.
You can also submit an e-visa application via our website, selecting the overtime processing option. We will contact you immediately upon receiving your request.
Step 2: Prepare the required documents
Once confirmed, you will be asked to provide:
- A clear scan of your passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- A passport-sized photo taken within 6 months (or a selfie photo taken at present using your smartphone camera)
- Your intended entry date and entry port
- Any existing e-visa application reference (if applicable)
Our team will review your documents carefully to avoid errors that could delay approval during the holiday period.
Step 3: Pay the visa processing fee
After document verification, we will send a payment link for the visa fee (including the e-visa application fee and overtime processing fee) that you can pay with your credit card, PayPal, or Wise. You don’t have to pay any extra fee at the airport upon arrival.
Step 4: Submit your emergency overtime request
After the payment is received, we submit your Vietnam e-visa application via the official government website under the overtime emergency processing, specifically coordinated for Tet holiday handling.
This submission is different from standard applications and is processed outside normal working hours by immigration officers.
Step 5: Receive your approved Vietnam e-visa
Once approved, your Vietnam e-visa will be sent to you by email. You must receive full approval before departure.
Print your approved Vietnam e-visa and present it to the airline at check-in and to immigration officers upon arrival in Vietnam.
Our support team remains available until you have successfully entered Vietnam.
Please note:
You cannot board a flight with a Vietnam e-visa that is still in “processing,” and visa procedures cannot be completed at the arrival airport.
Frequently asked questions
- +Can I have my pending e-visa application expedited during the Tet holiday?
-
Yes. Please provide your e-visa application number and the email address used in the application before 13:00 (Vietnam time) you will receive the e-visa result by 18:00 (Vietnam time) on the same day.
- +Do I need to apply for a new e-visa during the Tet holiday?
-
No, you don’t. If your existing e-visa application is complete and accurate, there is no need to submit a new application. We can expedite the processing and have it completed on the same day, even during the Tet holiday.
- +Do I have to pay an extra fee upon arrival at the airport?
-
No, you don’t. If you hold a valid, completed e-visa, no additional fees are required upon arrival at Vietnamese airports.
- +What is the maximum validity of a Vietnam e-visa during the Tet holiday?
-
An e-visa issued during the Tet holiday has a maximum validity of 90 days with the single or multiple entry.
- +Who is eligible for the overtime e-visa application during the Tet holiday?
-
Travelers holding a passport valid for at least 6 months are eligible to apply for an overtime Vietnam e-visa. However, applicants who are citizens of certain African or Middle Eastern countries may face restrictions on visa issuance during the Tet holiday.
- +Why is the overtime e-visa processing fee higher during the Tet holiday?
-
During the Tet holiday, government offices operate with limited staff while e-visa demand increases. Overtime processing requires staff to work outside regular hours and on public holidays, which incurs higher labor and operational costs. The increased fee helps cover these additional expenses to ensure timely processing.
- +Is an e-visa issued during Tet different from one processed on regular working days?
-
No. The e-visa issued during the Tet holiday is exactly the same validity and legal status as an e-visa processed on regular working days.