This guide covers UK visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens in 2026, including fees, grant rates, processing times, and how to apply. Vietnam is a visa-national country, so its citizens need a visa for every UK trip — there is no ETA option. The 6-month visitor visa costs $189, paid in US Dollars. The visitor route carries a solid 86% grant rate, while Vietnam's student route is outstanding at 98%, reflecting a fast-growing education link with Britain.
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026. Fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule.
Vietnam remains a visa-national country, so every traveller needs a visa — the ETA does not apply. Fees rose under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with the 6-month visitor visa now $189, paid in US Dollars. The visitor grant rate is 86%, so documentation matters, while study applications succeed at 98% and family at 90%. Successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa rather than a passport sticker.
UK Visa Requirements for Vietnamese Citizens 2026
Vietnam is a growing UK visa market, with just over 25,000 applications in the year ending March 2026. As a visa-national country, Vietnamese citizens cannot use the ETA and must hold a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose. The visitor route is moderately strong at 86%, but the standout is study at 98% — the UK is an increasingly popular destination for Vietnamese students, the main driver of the relationship.
Yes. Vietnam is on the UK's visa-national list, so its citizens must obtain a visa before travelling, for any purpose — there is no ETA option. The 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs $189. The visitor grant rate is 86%, so a well-documented application matters, while study succeeds at 98% and family at 90%.
| Visa Category | Applications | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor | 21,484 | 86% |
| Study | 2,669 | 98% |
| Family | 602 | 90% |
| Work | 397 | 84% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026.
Vietnam's standout figure is its study route — a 98% grant rate, reflecting fast-rising numbers of Vietnamese students at UK universities. The visitor route is solid at 86%, broadly in line with regional neighbours such as the Philippines, so visitor applicants should evidence finances and ties carefully. Our grant rate analysis sets these in context.
UK Visa Fees from Vietnam 2026
UK visa fees from Vietnam are charged in US Dollars and paid during the online application. The 8 April 2026 schedule raised most fees, with the 6-month visitor visa now $189. Work, study, and family visas also carry the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds sterling at £1,035 per year (£776 for students).
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month Visitor | $189 | 86% |
| 2-year Visitor | $710 | 86% |
| 5-year Visitor | $1,267 | 86% |
| 10-year Visitor | $1,583 | 86% |
| Student | $783 | 98% |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 | 84% |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 | 84% |
| Spouse / Partner | $2,896 | 90% |
| Priority service | $702 | — |
UK Visitor Visa from Vietnam 2026
The 6-month UK visitor visa from Vietnam costs $189, with long-term options at $710 (2 years), $1,267 (5 years), and $1,583 (10 years). Each visit is capped at 180 days. At 86%, the visitor grant rate is solid, so comprehensive financial evidence and clear ties to Vietnam are important.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business, and short courses. Vietnamese applicants should focus on documentation: steady income, employment, and reasons to return. Those visiting relatives should review what a UK sponsor must provide, and anyone refused can consult our guides to refusal reasons and reapplying after a refusal.
- Provide 6+ months of bank statements showing steady income.
- Include an employer letter confirming role, salary, and leave.
- Show property, business, or family ties to Vietnam.
- Add any previous travel history demonstrating compliance.
- Give a clear itinerary, accommodation, and purpose of visit.
UK Student Visa from Vietnam 2026
The UK Student visa from Vietnam costs $783, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor is required, along with proof of English and maintenance funds. The Vietnamese student grant rate is excellent at 98%.
Study is Vietnam's flagship route. The UK Student visa needs a CAS, the English language requirement, and maintenance funds of £1,483 per month for London or £1,136 elsewhere. Graduates can then use the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work.
UK Work Visa from Vietnam 2026
The Skilled Worker visa from Vietnam costs $1,149 for up to 3 years, or $2,270 for longer. Applicants need a graduate-level job, a £41,700 minimum salary, and a sponsoring UK employer. Work volumes from Vietnam are modest but growing, with an 84% grant rate.
The Skilled Worker visa needs a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and a salary meeting the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route, which is exempt from the health surcharge.
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,270 |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | $288 |
UK Spouse & Family Visa from Vietnam 2026
The UK Spouse visa from Vietnam costs $2,896 and requires the UK sponsor to earn at least £29,000 a year. The initial visa runs for 33 months, with a pathway to settlement after five years. Processing takes up to 12 weeks, or about 6 weeks with priority service. The family grant rate is 90%.
The UK Spouse visa lets Vietnamese nationals join a British or settled partner under Appendix FM, leading to settlement after five years. The sponsor must meet the £29,000 income requirement and prove a genuine relationship.
UK Visa Requirements & Documents for Vietnamese Citizens
Vietnamese applicants do best when documentation is thorough and consistent. Financial evidence and ties to Vietnam carry the most weight on the visitor route, while sponsored routes turn on the CAS or Certificate of Sponsorship. The core requirements apply across all visa types.
- Valid Vietnamese passport with at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
- Completed online application via gov.uk with the fee paid in USD.
- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient funds.
- Employment evidence — a letter confirming role, salary, and leave.
- Accommodation details — bookings or a UK host's invitation.
- Ties to Vietnam — property, business, or family showing return intent.
Our supporting documents checklist covers each route in detail, and the Home Office's own guide to supporting documents sets out what caseworkers expect to see.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Vietnam
Vietnamese citizens apply online at gov.uk, pay in US Dollars, and give biometrics at a visa application centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The process is the same one used across the wider region, including Indonesia, Thailand, and China. Begin at gov.uk.
- 1. Complete the online application on gov.uk and select Vietnam.
- 2. Pay the visa fee in US Dollars during the application.
- 3. Book your appointment at the centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
- 4. Attend and give biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph.
- 5. Submit supporting documents at the centre or online.
- 6. Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
Standard decisions take around 3 weeks, with settlement and family cases up to 12 weeks; the priority visa service can shorten non-settlement decisions where offered. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines once you have attended your appointment.
- Vietnam is visa-national — a visa is required for every trip, no ETA.
- 6-month Visitor visa: $189; long-term up to $1,583 for 10 years.
- Visitor grant rate is solid at 86% — documentation is key.
- Study is the flagship route: 98% grant rate, a growing UK market.
- Skilled Worker: $1,149; Spouse: $2,896 (£29,000 sponsor income).
- Fees paid in US Dollars; biometrics in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Yes. Vietnam is on the UK's visa-national list, so Vietnamese passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose — there is no ETA option. The most common choice for short visits is the Standard Visitor visa, costing $189 for six months. The visitor grant rate is 86%, so strong financial evidence and clear ties to Vietnam are important, while study applications succeed at 98%.
UK visa fees from Vietnam in 2026 are: 6-month Visitor $189, 2-year Visitor $710, Student $783, Skilled Worker $1,149 for up to 3 years, and Spouse $2,896. Fees are paid in US Dollars during the online application. Work, study, and family visas also require the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds at £1,035 per year, or £776 for students.
In the year ending March 2026, the Vietnamese visitor visa grant rate was 86% — of 21,484 applications, 18,703 were granted. Other routes performed strongly: study 98% on 2,669 applications, family 90%, and work 84%. The high study figure reflects Vietnam's fast-growing education link with the UK, while the solid visitor rate means tourist applicants should still document finances and ties carefully.
Vietnamese applicants apply online at gov.uk, pay the fee in US Dollars, and then book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. At the appointment you give fingerprints and a photograph and submit supporting documents. Once a decision is made, successful applicants access a digital eVisa through their UKVI account rather than receiving a passport sticker.
Yes, and study is Vietnam's strongest route. The Student visa costs $783, has a 98% grant rate, and needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed UK institution, proof of English, and maintenance funds. Vietnamese student numbers at UK universities have risen sharply. Graduates can stay on through the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work after completing their course.
Standard processing from Vietnam is around 3 weeks for visitor, student, and work visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. The priority service returns a decision in about 5 working days for non-settlement visas where offered, and super priority the next working day. These timelines run from your biometrics appointment in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, not from the online submission.