eVisas & Visas 101 - Help for those who need it
- Kerzia
- Aug 10, 2024
- 8 min read
Here goes my 2nd post! Sorry for the extreme delay. As a teacher, June is a crazy month filled with grading students' final projects/exams, and ensuring admin gets the final marks on time. Then, July came and I was on my way to Asia. I blinked and now it's early August!
Well, as mentioned, I just came back from the majestic continent of Asia. My husband and I visited 4 remarkable countries: Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan. (I will post about each country soon.) And one thing I did not really think about during the early stages of the planning process was applying for visas. As a Canadian citizen, I kind of take it for granted that we can fly virtually anywhere without having to apply and pay for - what appears to be superfluous - paperwork. I've been to the Asian continent many times before (not counting being born there), and I've never had to look at a visa application to Asia as a Canadian. (Maybe you've had the same experience.) But lo and behold! We needed visas for Vietnam and Indonesia. So this is my PSA (public service announcement) for those of you who might be thinking the same way I was.
Now, why do countries have certain citizens obtain visas?
Countries require foreign citizens to obtain visas for several reasons:
Security: Visas allow a country to screen individuals before they enter. By requiring a visa, the country can check if the individual poses any security threat, has a criminal record, or might be involved in activities that could harm the country. (Makes you not mind having to apply for it, eh?)
Immigration Control: Visas help regulate the number and type of people entering a country. This allows a country to manage its population and resources, and to prevent illegal immigration.
Economic Protection: Visas can be used to protect a country's job market by controlling who can enter and work. This helps ensure that local citizens are not displaced by foreign workers.
Diplomatic Reciprocity: Visa policies are often based on reciprocal agreements. If one country requires visas for citizens of another country, the other country may reciprocate by imposing the same requirement. (This happened when I was on my way to Egypt in March 2024. Canadians didn't need visas until the Egyptian government made them a requirement in October 2023. It was an extra $200, counting the expedited mail fee, out of my pocket! This is a topic for another blog post.)
Health and Safety: Visas allow countries to monitor and control the spread of diseases by screening individuals who may pose a public health risk before they enter the country.
Tourism and Revenue: Some countries use visas as a way to generate revenue. Visa fees can be a source of income, particularly for popular tourist destinations. (It certainly felt like this was the case in Indonesia. It seemed so randomly timed. Keep reading to learn more about my experience!)
Monitoring and Tracking: Visas allow countries to keep track of who is entering and leaving the country, which can be important for national security and immigration management.
Overall, visas are a tool that countries use to control and manage the flow of people across their borders, balancing national interests with international cooperation. They are annoying, and sometimes appear discriminatory, but it is what it is.
My Personal Experience + Websites to Use
My tip for everyone around the globe is to always go to your government's travel advisory website first and check out the specific requirements outlined for the destinations you plan to visit. For Canadians, go to https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. Find the country you wish to explore in the drop-down menu > "Entry and exit requirements" > scroll down to "Visas" and read the "tourist visa" part. I also suggest reading the entire page about that country so you know what else to keep in mind.
Note: Do not get scared by the multiple exclamation marks you see on the website, warning you about the high-risk levels of certain countries. The region you are going to might not be part of it. Simply do your research and stay alert every time you are travelling. This goes for any country you are visiting.
Vietnam
So back to visas! Vietnam was a pretty smooth process since they offer electronic visas. Their e-visas are $25 USD per person for single-entry, which was what we got; $50 for multiple-entry.
Wait, what's a multiple-entry e-visa?
A multiple-entry e-visa is a type of electronic visa that allows the holder to enter and exit the issuing country multiple times within a specified period. Unlike a single-entry visa, which permits only one entry before it expires, a multiple-entry e-visa provides the flexibility to travel in and out of the country repeatedly, as long as the visa remains valid.
Example: Suppose you have a multiple-entry e-visa for Vietnam valid for one year, allowing you to stay up to 60 days per visit. You could enter Vietnam, stay for up to 60 days, leave the country, and then return multiple times within that year, as long as each stay does not exceed the 60-day limit.
Sweet! Where do I apply?
To apply for a Vietnamese e-visa, go here: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu
The website I shared above is the OFFICIAL one. I know it looks a bit basic, and maybe "sketchy," to your eyes. I was even scared of using it at first since the English is not very good, but I assure you it is the correct one.
Feel free to comment below this post if you have any questions.
Please be careful as there are many websites out there that pose as official ones (and are much better-looking) but are actually independent agencies that charge you more since they act as middlemen.
Submitted your application? You will get confirmation emails. Use the registration code they e-mailed to you, then search and check your Vietnamese e-visa results here: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-thi-thuc
It only took us 3 days to get our e-visas. My printable e-visa document was ready for download when I searched it on their website on the third business day after submission. Make sure to print a copy for you will show this to the immigration officer at the airport in Vietnam.
They also emailed me this info. I'll attach it here for anyone who needs it.
Vietnam Immigration Department
Address: 44 - 46, Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
Hotline: 0243 825 7941
Other locations:
333-335-337, Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
7, Tran Quy Cap Street, Hai Chau District, Da Dang City, Vietnam
Indonesia
To be honest, we did not think we needed visas for Indonesia. I googled at home and did not find anything prior to our trip. I did not take my own advice earlier about checking the official government advisory... like, actually going to the website. (Woops!) My husband mentioned the fact that we needed one when we were already in Malaysia and flying to Indonesia in 2 days. Luckily, Indonesia does "visa on arrival."
We landed at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) and before security, there were 4-5 collection booths with officers who ensure you pay up for the tourist visa. It was steep, considering we were only going to stay in Jakarta for 3 days! So if you're also going to Indonesia, be prepared to pay 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (roughly $45 CAD, as of 2024) in cash. If you got no cash, there's an ATM right beside the booths.
It was smooth sailing from there but I do prefer applying for an electronic visa (e-visa) first - at home - instead of wasting time, lining up at the airport during one's trip. So, for everyone's convenience, I've made a list below. If there's any additional info you want to add, feel free to comment below this post.
Which other Asian countries allow e-visas (incl. for non-Canadians)?
Are you planning to go to Asia soon and want to get things done before flying there? Several other Asian countries allow e-visas, which can be applied for online and typically issued electronically. If your government's travel advisory website says that you need a tourist visa for your destination, here's a list of the Asian countries that offer e-visas:
Southeast Asia:
Malaysia: Provides e-visas primarily for tourism.
Cambodia: Offers e-visas for tourism.
Laos: Provides e-visas for tourists.
Myanmar: Offers e-visas for tourism and business purposes.
Thailand: Offers an e-visa on arrival for some countries, and a full e-visa program for others.
South Asia:
India: Offers e-visas for tourism, business, medical, and conference purposes.
Sri Lanka: Provides an e-visa/ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for tourists and business travelers.
East Asia:
South Korea: Offers an e-visa program for certain nationalities under specific circumstances.
Taiwan: Provides an e-visa for tourism, business, and other short-term visits.
Central Asia:
Kazakhstan: Offers e-visas for tourism, business, and medical treatment.
Uzbekistan: Provides e-visas for tourism and business purposes.
Middle East (Western Asia):
Turkey: Offers e-visas for tourism and business to citizens of many countries. (We had to apply for one in the Summer of 2023.)
Oman: Provides e-visas for tourists and business travelers.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Offers e-visas for short stays, particularly for tourists and business visitors.
E-visa programs are always subject to change, so it’s important to check the latest information on the official government or embassy websites of your destination country before making travel plans.
TEACHER'S "FUN" FACT ~ since it ain't that fun if you got this passport
Wondering which citizens hold the most restrictions?
As of 2024, Afghanistan unfortunately holds the distinction of having the weakest passport in the world. This ranking is based on the number of countries an Afghan passport holder can enter without a visa or with a visa on arrival (fewer than 30 countries, actually).
Reasons for Afghanistan's Weak Passport:
Political Instability: Afghanistan has experienced decades of conflict, including recent political turmoil following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. This instability has led many countries to impose strict visa requirements on Afghan nationals.
Security Concerns: Due to ongoing security challenges, including the presence of extremist groups and a fragile government, many nations are wary of allowing Afghan passport holders to enter without extensive background checks.
Economic Challenges: Afghanistan's struggling economy and high levels of poverty make it more difficult for its citizens to meet the visa requirements of many countries, which often include financial stability and proof of return.
Lack of Diplomatic Relations: Afghanistan has limited diplomatic relationships with many countries, particularly Western nations, leading to more stringent visa requirements.
Global Perceptions: Negative perceptions related to terrorism and refugee movements also contribute to the restrictions placed on Afghan passport holders.
These factors combine to limit the number of countries that Afghan citizens can enter without a visa, resulting in the Afghan passport being considered the weakest in the world.
Source: The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, consistently lists Afghanistan at the bottom of its rankings. You can click the link above to see where your passport stands in the ranks!
BONUS FUN FACT
Canada holds the 7th most powerful passport in the world, as of 2024, with 187 visa-free destinations!
So if you're Canadian and you're sitting on your bum right now not having seen much of the world, go book a flight somewhere -- even if it's a year from now! Don't wanna deal with visas? You got 187 places to choose from. ;) Bon voyage!
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