Visa to Vietnam question

[bryonm4 0]

I got my Passport back a few days ago and the Visa shows as a Catagory C2 where as my others were a C1. Does this mean I have to stop by the consulate in NY or San Franciso before I leave for Vietnam and have it stamped? If this is true then it is a major inconvience since I would have to travel 2,000 miles to do this. I didn't even get a visa approval letter and it was 85$

C1/ Visa on Arrival: Get your visa stamp at Vietnam International Airports: Hanoi, Danang, Hochiminh.

You print "Visa approval letter" out, bring it together with your passport, 25USD extra in cash and 02 photos (4x6cm) and submit them at the Airport Immigration Counter to abtain your visa stamp.

C2/ Visa Approval Code: Get your visa stamp at Vietnam embassy or consulate before you come to Vietnam.

You print "Visa approval letter" out, bring it together with your passport, 25USD extra in cash and 02 photos (4x6cm) and submit them at Vietnam Embassy or Consulate to obtain your visa stamp.

[Anh map 2,098]

where did you get this from?

[bryonm4 0]

where did you get this from?

This website

http://www.handetour.com/visa_service.php

The C1 visa I didn't remember getting a visa letter also so I'm a little confused. I filled out the forms the same however the first 2 times I got my visa stamped I didn't request it expedited.

I got it back a few days ago from the embassy and it has a red circular stamp on it with an intiall but it doesn't have the rectangle purple stamp on the front of it.

[Anh map 2,098]

I guess you should call the embassy in DC and ask. You may have to send your passport and this letter to them.

I've always just sent the visa app and my passport to the embassy.

[ScottThuy 140]

where did you get this from?

This website

http://www.handetour.com/visa_service.php

The C1 visa I didn't remember getting a visa letter also so I'm a little confused. I filled out the forms the same however the first 2 times I got my visa stamped I didn't request it expedited.

I got it back a few days ago from the embassy and it has a red circular stamp on it with an intiall but it doesn't have the rectangle purple stamp on the front of it.

On mine, The purple rectangle is what they stamp on it when it is "used" .. usually single entry visas will get that when you enter... multiple entry wont get it usually... the red circle is the consular seal making it official...

[bryonm4 0]

where did you get this from?

This website

http://www.handetour.com/visa_service.php

The C1 visa I didn't remember getting a visa letter also so I'm a little confused. I filled out the forms the same however the first 2 times I got my visa stamped I didn't request it expedited.

I got it back a few days ago from the embassy and it has a red circular stamp on it with an intiall but it doesn't have the rectangle purple stamp on the front of it.

On mine, The purple rectangle is what they stamp on it when it is "used" .. usually single entry visas will get that when you enter... multiple entry wont get it usually... the red circle is the consular seal making it official...

Yeah it looks just like the other visa's but it doesnt have the used stamp. I was wondering what the difference was between the C1 and C2 was or if I shoudl be concered. Last time they stamped it in Ho Chi Minh when I came there and when I think they also stamped that used one on there. But when I googled C2 it said something about having to get stamp at the consulate and a C1 is gettnig the stamp at the airport like I have done before so I guess I am just a little worried is all.

[lindal24 1]

If it were me, I wouldn't worry about C1 or C2...if there's a sticker (VN Visa) in there I wouldn't care (as long as it doesn't say "used")... haha...

[toddandhien 2]

Bryon, the C2 is just the category of visa that you were issued (two of my previous visas were C2). If you actually have a visa that is either loose or affixed to your passport with a validity date that spans your planned entry to and exit from Vietnam, you are fine.

You will never get a visa approval letter unless you pre-apply for a visa upon arrival. If you sent your passport to the embassy for the visa and you got the visa, you are good to go! You will get the purple stamps going in and out. If the visa is in your passport, you will get stamped in your passport. If the visa is loose, they will stamp the visa. And if it is single entry visa, they will keep the visa when you go and you will have no record of having entered and exited Vietnam.

Edited October 19, 2009 by toddandhien

[Teacher Mark 53]

You should have your 5 year visa exemption by now!

I think I'd be concerned about this too. I don't have a solid answer for you because I can't remeber what the procedure was when I got my visa on arrival. I do remeber that the ladies at the counter in San Francisco didn't understand the visa on arrival process. It took about 5 minutes to get it straightened out. If the paperwork isn't in order you won't get on the flight.

[BinhJerome 14]

I use a different website for visa on arrival http://www.vietnamvisa.asianatravelmate.com you have to have 2 passport style photos when you land in Vietnam, and the approval letter which the company emails to you, and then pay $25 at the window and fill out a form that just has information from your passport, and where you will be staying, or who you are visiting's address on it. This way I do not have to send off my passport, and it is much cheaper. The company has internet specials all the time where they charge 10$ and if your bank charges international transaction fee mine was 89 cents and then the $25 at Vietnam, both times I did not have problems at all, and this time there were I think 5 people that had problems once they landed having to fill out more paperwork for their visa that they already had stamped, one guy told me he paid $110 for his visa, plus another $25 for the rush service then when he landed he had to fill out the same paperwork I did. I had my approval letter in 3 days and I spent a total of $35.89.

I would just call who had your visa issued and ask them what is going on. They might have made a mistake when processing it. But next time try the link I gave you they have done great both times I have used them. Jerome

[BinhJerome 14]

If you used a visa on arrival service, what you need to do is contact them and get a approval letter. Without this when you land in Vietnam they will have no idea what you are there for, unless you speak fluent Vietnamese. It sounds like your visa on arrival service is different than mine as I did not have to send off my passport. If it has a stamp in the passport then you should be good to go, maybe have to fill out a form when you get there, but that should be about it. If you are worried and can not get in contact with who set up your visa, and you decide to go on the visa you already paid for, I would have 2 photos ready of passport size and then when you land go to the help desk on the left before trying to go through customs and see if you are good to go. but when you say that your passport is stamped cr2 all my visa were stamped cr1, but this means you have a visa in your passport so you should be good to go. I would not be so worried about the stamp cr2 or cr1 just because you have a visa in your passport. Good luck and have a safe trip Jerome