Barbadian citizens need a valid visa to enter Vietnam for tourism, business and other purposes, except when visiting Phu Quoc Island under its special 30-day visa exemption policy. This guide explains the available visa options, application costs, processing times and important travel considerations for Barbadian passport holders.
Barbadians need an appropriate visa when entering Vietnam (Source: ZNews)
No. Barbados is not included in Vietnam's unilateral or bilateral visa exemption agreements for ordinary passport holders. Therefore, Barbadian citizens must obtain a valid Vietnam visa before entering Vietnam For ordinary passport holders, the most accessible option is a Vietnam e-visa, which allows a stay of up to 90 days with either single or multiple entries.
However, there is one important exception. Barbadian citizens can visit Phu Quoc Island without a visa for up to 30 days, provided they meet the conditions of the island's immigration policy. This exemption applies when visitors:
Barbadian can visit Phu Quoc visa-free (Source: Bao Dai Doan Ket)
The Phu Quoc visa exemption does not permit travelers to continue traveling to mainland Vietnam. If you plan to visit any Vietnam city outside Phu Quoc, obtain a suitable Vietnam visa before your journey. For example, a Barbadian traveler planning a 20-day holiday entirely on Phu Quoc can use the visa exemption. However, a traveler planning five days in Ho Chi Minh City followed by 15 days on Phu Quoc needs a Vietnam visa covering the mainland visit.
Related blog post: Vietnam Visa Exemption 2026 (Countries, Durations & Conditions)
The Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela is also accredited to Barbados (Source: VOV)
Vietnam does not have an embassy in Barbados; instead, the Vietnamese Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, is accredited to Barbados. Consequently, applying through a Vietnamese embassy might require Barbadian citizens to travel a long distance or send documents by post, leading to significant wait times. If applying through an embassy is not strictly necessary, the Vietnamese e-visa and visa-on-arrival options are more convenient alternatives.
Please review the comparison table below to choose the visa application method that best suits your trip.
|
Criteria |
Vietnam e-visa |
Vietnam visa on arrival |
|
Application method |
Apply online before departure |
Obtain immigration pre-approval before departure and complete issuance at eligible airports |
|
Processing time |
3-5 working days |
7-10 days, can be urgent |
|
Maximum validity |
Up to 90 days |
Depends on the approved visa category and validity period |
|
Entry types |
Single or multiple entry |
As specified in the approval |
|
Purposes |
Tourism, business visits and other permitted activities |
Eligible tourism, business and other approved purposes |
|
Required documents |
Valid passport, passport biodata-page image, 2:3 ratio digital portrait photo, application details and payment card |
Valid passport, immigration approval letter, completed visa application form NA1, portrait photo and applicable visa issuance fee in cash, sponsorship letter from Vietnamese company |
|
Entry checkpoints |
Designated international airports, seaports and land crossings |
The checkpoint authorized for visa issuance in the approval arrangement |
|
Best suited for |
Most Barbadian travelers visiting Vietnam for up to 90 days |
Travelers with a qualifying pre-approved visa-on-arrival arrangement |
You can get Vietnam visa after landing with visa pre-approval letter (Source: collected)
Yes. Vietnam's immigration regulations permit visa issuance at international border checkpoints in specified circumstances, including cases involving travelers departing from countries without a Vietnamese visa-issuing mission.
However, a visa on arrival requires the necessary immigration authorization before departure. Travelers cannot simply fly to Vietnam and request a visa at the airport without the required pre-approval. For an approved visa-on-arrival arrangement, travelers must bring their original passport, approval documentation, completed visa form, portrait photo and the applicable visa issuance fee.
Unlike the e-visa system, visas on arrival should not be assumed to be available at every Vietnamese airport. Verify the eligible checkpoint stated in the approval before booking your flight. For travelers staying longer than 90 days or entering Vietnam for employment or other long-term purposes, the appropriate sponsored visa or consular procedure should be arranged according to the intended activities.
Vietnam visa fees starts from about 51 Barbados dollars (Source: VOV)
Vietnam visa fees depend on the duration of stay and the number of entries (single or multiple). Additionally, for certain types of visas-such as business or work visas-you may also incur costs for documents like a sponsorship letter or a work permit.
These amounts cover government visa fees only. Visa agencies charge separate service fees, while certain visa-on-arrival applications require an additional pre-approval service payment.
|
Visa type |
Government fee |
|
Single-entry e-visa, up to 90 days |
$25 |
|
Multiple-entry e-visa, up to 90 days |
$50 |
|
Single-entry visa issued on arrival |
$25 |
|
Multiple-entry visa issued on arrival, shorter-duration category |
$50 or more |
Urgentvisatovietnam offers expedited Vietnam visa services for foreigners (Source: Bao Ve Cong Ly)
UrgentVisaToVietnam provides emergency visa services for those who need a visa for an upcoming trip. The fees depend on the level of urgency required. You will see the total amount to be paid before proceeding to the payment page. We guarantee that there will be no hidden fee or additional charges during the visa processing.
|
Processing time |
New single-entry Vietnam e-visa |
New multiple-entry Vietnam e-visa |
Expedited pending Vietnam e-visa |
|
Weekend/ holiday |
$295 |
$320 |
$185 |
|
15-30 mins - last-minute (business day) |
$295 |
$320 |
$295 |
|
1 business HOUR |
$185 |
$210 |
$175 |
|
2 business HOUR |
$155 |
$180 |
$145 |
|
4 business HOUR |
$102 |
$129 |
$75 |
|
1 working DAY |
$92 |
$119 |
$65 |
|
2 working DAYS |
$72 |
$99 |
$45 |
|
3 working DAYS |
$62 |
$89 |
$35 |
|
4-5 working DAYS |
$52 |
$79 |
x |
For advice on the most suitable emergency visa service, please contact us at +84.904.879.729 or +1 (778) 788 2310.
Our team is also available via email at [email protected].
There are currently no direct fly from Barbados to Vietnam (Source: Reddit)
Travelers departing from Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados will need connecting flights to reach Vietnam.
When choosing a route, keep in mind that a valid Vietnam visa does not grant you the right to leave the airport while in transit through another country. Therefore, ensure that your transit takes place entirely within a single airport, rather than requiring a transfer to a different airport within the same city. Separate flight tickets can create additional complications if you need to collect baggage, or clear immigration during a connection.
Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of Barbados (Source: FPT shop)
Vietnam operates on UTC+7, while Barbados uses UTC−4. This places Vietnam 11 hours ahead of Barbados throughout the year.
For example, when it is 9:00 AM in Bridgetown, it is already 8:00 PM in Vietnam.
This time difference matters when contacting Vietnamese visa agencies or submitting an urgent application close to a deadline. Processing schedules follow Vietnamese working days and public holidays, not Barbados local time.
Vietnam introduced a Pre-arrival Information (PAI) pilot system in 2026 to help foreign visitors submit immigration information before arriving. As announced in September 2026, the voluntary system covers five international airports: Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc.
Travelers using one of these airports can complete the declaration at PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION SUBMISSION FOR VISITORS and save the generated QR code for arrival procedures. The PAI declaration is not a substitute for a required Vietnam visa. Travelers should also avoid unofficial websites impersonating the immigration declaration service.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela is responsible for matters concerning Barbados as well. (Source: VnEconomy)
For Barbadian citizens requiring consular assistance or visa arrangements that cannot be handled through the e-visa system, the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela is the relevant diplomatic mission.
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Venezuela
Contact the embassy before arranging the delivery of original documents or traveling to Venezuela, particularly if your application requires a physical visa.
For a visa on arrival, payment must be made in cash (US dollars) at the processing counter. Please ensure you have the necessary amount of US dollars in cash ready before arriving at the airport. The visa-on-arrival counter does not accept card payments or bank transfers. While there are ATMs available, they can get very crowded, potentially leading to long wait times.
Can Barbadian citizens get a Vietnam visa entirely online?
Yes. Barbadian citizens can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online through the official immigration portal. The entire application, payment and approval process is electronic, with no embassy appointment required.
Do Barbadian citizens need a visa to visit Vietnam for 14 days?
Yes. Even for a short visit of 14 days, Barbadian citizens need a valid visa to enter mainland Vietnam. The exception is a qualifying visit to Phu Quoc Island under its 30-day visa exemption.
Can I use a Barbados passport to apply for a 90-day multiple-entry Vietnam visa?
Yes. Barbados passport holders are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa with a maximum validity of 90 days and multiple entries. The government application fee is US50(BDS100).
Is there a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in Bridgetown?
No. Vietnam does not maintain a resident embassy or consulate in Barbados. The Embassy of Vietnam in Caracas, Venezuela, is accredited to Barbados.
Can I enter Vietnam through Cambodia or Laos with an e-visa?
Yes. You can enter Vietnam through a designated international land border crossing that accepts e-visas. Make sure your planned checkpoint is included in the official list before traveling.
Can Barbadian citizens obtain a Vietnam visa after landing?
Yes, if you have obtained a visa pre-approval letter before flying. Without such authorization, travelers should obtain an e-visa or another appropriate visa before departure.
Can I extend my stay in Vietnam beyond 90 days using an e-visa?
A Vietnam e-visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days. Travelers requiring a longer stay must arrange the appropriate immigration permission rather than assume their existing e-visa can simply be extended.
Can I use the Phu Quoc visa exemption and then travel to Da Nang?
No. The Phu Quoc exemption does not authorize entry into mainland destinations such as Da Nang. You need a suitable Vietnam visa to continue your journey outside Phu Quoc.
What if my Vietnam e-visa has not been approved before my flight?
Check your application status through the official immigration portal. If the result is still pending close to departure, contact a visa assistance provider to review the available options. Do not board on the assumption that a pending e-visa application is sufficient for entry.