Vietnam Visa for Portuguese Passport Holders in Dubai — Complete Guide 2026
Do Portuguese passport holders in Dubai need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Portuguese passport holders need a visa for Vietnam, and the easiest route is the online Vietnam e-visa at evisa.gov.vn (USD 25 single entry / USD 50 multiple, valid up to 90 days). This surprises many travellers because Vietnam waives visas for 45 days for a specific list of European countries — including Spain, France, Germany and Italy — but Portugal is NOT on that list and has no other Vietnam exemption, so a visa is required. The e-visa is applied for online with a passport bio-page scan and a passport photo only — no Emirates ID or UAE residence document is needed, because the e-visa is based on passport nationality and applied for from outside Vietnam; living in Dubai changes nothing about whether a visa is needed. Standard processing is about three working days, and the passport must be valid at least 30 days beyond the e-visa validity. The most common trip-up is assuming EU citizenship means visa-free entry to Vietnam; for a Portuguese passport it does not.
Key Takeaway
- Yes. Portuguese passport holders need a visa for Vietnam, and the easiest route is the online Vietnam e-visa at evisa.go...
- Channel: Online e-visa (evisa.gov.vn) — Portugal is not on the 45-day exemption list
- UAE residency / Emirates ID: Not required — passport + photo only
- Processing: About 3 working days
- Govt fee: USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple (~AED 92 / ~AED 184)
- Max stay: Up to 90 days
- Source: Vietnam MFA visa-exemption list + e-visa portal (Resolution 127), June 2026
Vietnam is one of the best long-haul-value trips reachable from Dubai, and Portuguese professionals based in the UAE travel there often. Here is the rule that surprises people: a Portuguese passport is NOT visa-free for Vietnam. Even though Spain and France are exempt for 45 days, Portugal is not on Vietnam’s exemption list, so a Portuguese traveller needs a visa — in practice the online Vietnam e-visa.
Vietnam grants 45 days of visa-free entry to a specific list of European countries — Spain, France, Germany and Italy among them, plus a separate tourism-stimulus group covering Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and others. Portugal appears on neither list and has no other Vietnam exemption. So the “I’m an EU citizen, I won’t need a visa” assumption is wrong for Vietnam if you hold a Portuguese passport.
The good news is the route is genuinely easy: the Vietnam e-visa is applied for entirely online with just a passport and a photo — no Emirates ID, no residence document and no embassy visit. Below: why Portugal is off the list, what to upload, the fees and processing time.
Do Portuguese Passport Holders Need a Vietnam Visa? Yes — and Here Is Why It Surprises People
Yes. A Portuguese passport is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list, so Portuguese nationals need a visa to enter Vietnam. The surprise is that Portugal’s closest neighbours ARE exempt: Vietnam grants 45 days of visa-free entry to Spain, France, Germany and Italy under one scheme, and to a further tourism-stimulus group that includes Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Czechia and Hungary. Portugal is on neither list. Because Vietnam grants exemptions country by country — not to the EU as a bloc — a Portuguese traveller needs a visa even though a Spanish neighbour does not. The route is the e-visa, open to citizens of every country since August 2023.
Portuguese Passport × Vietnam: the Essentials
- Portuguese passport holders need a Vietnam visa — Portugal is NOT on the 45-day exemption list
- Spain, France and many EU neighbours ARE exempt for 45 days — Portugal is not
- The route is the e-visa at evisa.gov.vn (USD 25 / USD 50, up to 90 days)
- Applied for online with a passport and photo — no Emirates ID or residence document required
- Living in Dubai does not change this: Vietnam’s policy is by passport nationality, not residency
EU Neighbours vs Portugal for Vietnam
| Passport | Vietnam treatment | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Spain / France / Germany / Italy | Visa-free up to 45 days | No visa needed within 45 days |
| Belgium / Netherlands / Switzerland / Poland | Visa-free up to 45 days (tourism scheme) | No visa needed within 45 days |
| Portugal | Visa required | Apply for the e-visa at evisa.gov.vn before travel |
Spain / France / Germany / Italy
- Vietnam treatment
- Visa-free up to 45 days
- What you do
- No visa needed within 45 days
Belgium / Netherlands / Switzerland / Poland
- Vietnam treatment
- Visa-free up to 45 days (tourism scheme)
- What you do
- No visa needed within 45 days
Portugal
- Vietnam treatment
- Visa required
- What you do
- Apply for the e-visa at evisa.gov.vn before travel
Vietnam grants visa exemptions country by country. Spain and France are on the 45-day list; Portugal is not, so an e-visa is required.
Apply With Your Passport and a Photo — No Emirates ID Needed
The Vietnam e-visa is granted on the basis of your passport, not your residency. The official application asks only for a clear scan of your passport bio-page and a passport-style photo, plus your travel details — there is no Emirates ID field, no proof-of-residence requirement, and no need to submit your physical passport. A Portuguese national can apply from anywhere, and a UAE residence card is neither required nor an advantage; where agencies imply otherwise, it is not needed. The only UAE-specific practicality is payment: pay the government fee online with a UAE card that has international online transactions enabled.
What the Vietnam E-Visa Actually Requires
- A clear colour scan of your Portuguese passport bio-page (machine-readable zone visible)
- A passport-style photo with a plain white background
- Your full name as printed in the passport
- Travel dates and an intended international airport entry point
- A payment card with international online transactions enabled
- NOT required: Emirates ID, UAE residence visa, bank statement, employer letter, invitation or hotel booking
Vietnam E-Visa for Portuguese Nationals: Fees, Validity and Processing
Vietnam E-Visa at a Glance for Portuguese Passport Holders
| Item | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| E-visa (single entry) | USD 25 (~AED 92) | Up to 90 days, applied and paid online |
| E-visa (multiple entry) | USD 50 (~AED 184) | Up to 90 days, multiple re-entries within validity |
| Processing time | About 3 working days | Excludes Vietnamese weekends and public holidays |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days | Per the e-visa granted |
| Passport validity | At least 30 days beyond the e-visa validity | Vietnamese legal requirement |
| Where you apply | Online, from the UAE | Not for people already inside Vietnam |
E-visa (single entry)
- Detail
- USD 25 (~AED 92)
- Note
- Up to 90 days, applied and paid online
E-visa (multiple entry)
- Detail
- USD 50 (~AED 184)
- Note
- Up to 90 days, multiple re-entries within validity
Processing time
- Detail
- About 3 working days
- Note
- Excludes Vietnamese weekends and public holidays
Maximum stay
- Detail
- Up to 90 days
- Note
- Per the e-visa granted
Passport validity
- Detail
- At least 30 days beyond the e-visa validity
- Note
- Vietnamese legal requirement
Where you apply
- Detail
- Online, from the UAE
- Note
- Not for people already inside Vietnam
Fees are Vietnamese government charges paid on the official portal. Apply only at evisa.gov.vn.
Document Checklist for Portuguese Passport Holders
Vietnam E-Visa Documents for Portuguese Passport Holders in Dubai
| Document | Requirement | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese passport | Valid, at least 30 days beyond the e-visa validity | Upload a clear bio-page scan with the machine-readable zone fully visible |
| Passport-style photo | 4x6 cm, plain white background, JPEG | A plain white background is required |
| Travel details | Entry and exit dates, port of entry | Choose an international airport (Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai), not a land border |
| Payment card | Visa, Mastercard or JCB | Enable international online transactions on your UAE card before applying |
Portuguese passport
- Requirement
- Valid, at least 30 days beyond the e-visa validity
- Note
- Upload a clear bio-page scan with the machine-readable zone fully visible
Passport-style photo
- Requirement
- 4x6 cm, plain white background, JPEG
- Note
- A plain white background is required
Travel details
- Requirement
- Entry and exit dates, port of entry
- Note
- Choose an international airport (Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai), not a land border
Payment card
- Requirement
- Visa, Mastercard or JCB
- Note
- Enable international online transactions on your UAE card before applying
No Emirates ID, residence visa, bank statement, employer letter or hotel booking is required for the e-visa.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the Vietnam E-Visa From the UAE
- 1Go to the official portal at evisa.gov.vn — the only official government site.
- 2Choose “E-visa Issuance”, then “Outside Vietnam foreigners”, then “Apply new”.
- 3Upload your white-background photo and a clear scan of your Portuguese passport bio-page.
- 4Enter your full name exactly as printed in the passport machine-readable zone.
- 5Select “Portugal” as your nationality, then enter your passport number and expiry date.
- 6Choose single or multiple entry, your entry and exit airports, and your travel dates.
- 7Pay USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple) by card with international transactions enabled.
- 8Save your registration code and return in about three working days to download and print the approved e-visa.
Vietnam Visa at a Glance — Portuguese Passport Holders
Vietnam Visa Summary for Portuguese Passport Holders from Dubai
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa required | Yes — e-visa |
| On the 45-day exemption list? | No — Portugal is not exempt (unlike Spain, France, Germany) |
| E-visa fee | USD 25 single (~AED 92) / USD 50 multiple (~AED 184) |
| Processing time | About 3 working days |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days |
| Emirates ID needed | No — passport and photo only |
| Application portal | evisa.gov.vn |
Visa required
- Information
- Yes — e-visa
On the 45-day exemption list?
- Information
- No — Portugal is not exempt (unlike Spain, France, Germany)
E-visa fee
- Information
- USD 25 single (~AED 92) / USD 50 multiple (~AED 184)
Processing time
- Information
- About 3 working days
Maximum stay
- Information
- Up to 90 days
Emirates ID needed
- Information
- No — passport and photo only
Application portal
- Information
- evisa.gov.vn
OraVisa: Vietnam E-Visa Support for Portuguese Nationals in Dubai
Because Portugal is off Vietnam’s exemption list, the e-visa is a step Portuguese travellers should not skip. OraVisa prepares and reviews Vietnam e-visa applications for Portuguese nationals and their families in Dubai — checking the passport scan, photo and details before submission so the application is right the first time.
Get Your Vietnam E-Visa Sorted
OraVisa helps Portuguese passport holders in Dubai apply for the Vietnam e-visa with confidence. Start with a free consultation and let our team handle the details.
Get Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Do Portuguese passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Portuguese nationals need a visa for Vietnam; the simplest route is the online e-visa at evisa.gov.vn (USD 25 single entry, up to 90 days). Portugal is not on Vietnam’s 45-day visa-exemption list, even though Spain, France and other EU neighbours are.
Is Portugal on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list?
No. Vietnam grants 45-day visa-free entry to a specific list of European countries — including Spain, France, Germany and Italy — but Portugal is not among them and has no other Vietnam exemption. Portuguese passport holders need an e-visa.
Do I need an Emirates ID or residence visa to apply?
No. The Vietnam e-visa is based on your passport, not your residency. It requires only a passport bio-page scan and a passport photo, plus travel details — no Emirates ID or residence document. You apply online from the UAE.
How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost for Portuguese nationals and how long does it take?
USD 25 (about AED 92) for single entry and USD 50 (about AED 184) for multiple entry, each valid up to 90 days. Standard processing is about three working days, so apply at least a week before travel.
Spain is visa-free for Vietnam — why isn’t Portugal?
Because Vietnam grants visa exemptions country by country, not to the EU as a bloc. Spain is on the 45-day exemption list; Portugal is not. So a Portuguese passport holder needs an e-visa even though a Spanish neighbour does not.
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Written by
Priya Sharma
Senior Visa Consultant — Asia & Americas
Senior Visa Consultant specializing in Asian & American destinations. 8 years of experience with a proven track record in complex multi-country applications.
Expert reviewed by Ahmed Al Rashid
Senior Visa Consultant
Last updated: · 12+ years of visa consultancy experience
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