How to renew a Vietnamese passport online
If you need to renew your Vietnamese passport, you may be able to start the application online through official government services. The process depends on whether you are applying from inside Vietnam or from another country.
In this guide, we will explain how to renew a Vietnamese passport online, what documents you need, how the application process works, how long it takes, and what photo requirements you should follow to avoid delays.
Table of contents
- Can you renew a Vietnamese passport online?
- How to renew a Vietnamese passport online in Vietnam
- Documents required for online Vietnamese passport application
- Vietnamese passport photo requirements
- Create a Vietnamese passport photo online
- How to submit the online Vietnamese passport application?
- Application tracking and passport collection
- How to renew a Vietnamese passport online from abroad
- How much does it cost to renew a Vietnamese passport?
- How long does it take to renew a Vietnamese passport?
- Special situations
- FAQ
Can you renew a Vietnamese passport online?
Yes, Vietnamese citizens can start the passport renewal process online through official government portals. However, the level of online service depends on the applicant’s situation.
There are two main online application routes:
- Inside Vietnam: applicants can submit a request through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal.
- Outside Vietnam: Vietnamese citizens abroad can complete an online declaration through the MOFA passport portal and then follow the instructions of their local Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
The online process does not mean that every applicant can complete the entire procedure without any additional steps. Some applicants may still need to provide original documents, visit an immigration office or embassy, or complete additional verification procedures.
How to renew a Vietnamese passport online in Vietnam
Citizens who are currently in Vietnam can apply online through:
- the National Public Service Portal;
- the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal.
The online Vietnamese passport renewal requirements are as following:
- a valid 12-digit Citizen ID card (CCCD);
- a registered account on the National Public Service Portal;
- the ability to make online payments.
Applicants who do not meet these eligibility criteria may need to submit their application through another available channel.
Documents required for online Vietnamese passport application
For most applicants, the checklist include:
- current Vietnamese passport, if applying for replacement;
- passport application form TK01;
- a digital passport photo meeting official requirements;
- documents confirming changes in personal information, if applicable.
Additional documents may be required in specific situations:
- Lost passport: a loss declaration or confirmation of a submitted loss report.
- Children under 14: application form TK01a, birth certificate, and documents of the legal representative if required.
- Changed name or personal details: documents proving the updated information.
Vietnamese passport photo requirements
Preparing a compliant passport photo is one of the most important parts of the application. Photos that do not meet the official specifications may delay processing or result in the application being returned.
For both domestic and overseas applications, the photo should:
- have been taken within the last six months;
- have a plain white background;
- show the applicant looking directly at the camera;
- show both ears clearly;
- face must occupy approximately 75% of the image
- be taken without glasses;
- show the head uncovered;
- be saved in JPEG 2000 format;
- have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
There is one important difference between the Vietnamese passport photo sizes required for domestic and overseas applications.
For applications submitted inside Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security specifies a 4 × 6 cm passport photo size.
For applications submitted through the MOFA passport portal, the online system uses a 3:4 aspect ratio and provides its own cropping tool. Some Vietnamese embassies still ask applicants to prepare a 4 × 6 cm photo before uploading it.
For this reason, preparing a high-quality 4 × 6 cm photo and adjusting it according to the online portal’s instructions is generally the safest approach.
Create a Vietnamese passport photo online
Instead of visiting a photo studio, you can prepare a compliant Vietnamese passport photo online with Visafoto.
Simply upload a photo taken with your smartphone or camera. Visafoto automatically:
- replaces the background with the required white background;
- crops the image to the correct dimensions;
- adjusts the head position according to official requirements;
- improves image quality orders;
- provides both a digital photo for online submission and a printable photo template.
Example of a photo you can upload:
Result from Visafoto:
One of Visafoto's key advantages is that it can also improve photos that were not taken under ideal conditions. For example, you can upload a photo taken in poor lighting or even a scan of an old printed passport photo, and the service will enhance its quality before preparing the final image.
All photos are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee if they are rejected by the authorities.
How to submit the online Vietnamese passport application?
To obtain your passport online online:
- Log in to the National Public Service Portal or Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal.
- Complete the passport application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Upload a compliant passport photo.
- Review all information before submitting the application.
- After submitting the application, you can pay the required government fee online. The passport processing time starts after the application is accepted and the required payment has been completed.
If some supporting documents cannot be electronically verified, the applicant may need to send additional documents by post according to the instructions from the receiving authority.
Application tracking and passport collection
You can check the status of your application online using the application tracking service provided by the Ministry of Public Security.
To track the request, you will need:
- the application receipt number;
- the information provided during submission.
If the application is incomplete or requires additional information, the authority may request further documents before processing continues.
After approval, applicants can receive the passport:
- in person from the issuing authority;
- through postal delivery, if this option was selected.
If the application is rejected, the authority should provide a written explanation stating the reason.
How to renew a Vietnamese passport online from abroad
Vietnamese citizens living overseas can begin the passport renewal process online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) passport portal. After completing the online declaration, you should follow the instructions provided by your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate, as the exact procedure may vary by country.
The typical process includes the following steps:
- Complete the online passport declaration on the MOFA passport portal.
- Upload a passport photo that meets the official requirements.
- Print the completed application with its QR code or application number.
- Prepare the required supporting documents.
- Submit the application to the Vietnamese embassy or consulate according to its instructions.
- Collect the new passport or receive it by mail if the mission offers this service.
Some embassies require applicants for biometric e-passports to provide fingerprints during their appointment.
How much does it cost to renew a Vietnamese passport?
The government fees depend on where you apply and your reason for replacing the passport.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| New ordinary passport in Vietnam | 200,000 VND |
| Replacement due to loss or damage in Vietnam | 400,000 VND |
| New passport issued abroad | USD 70 |
| Replacement due to loss or damage abroad | USD 150* |
* Individual Vietnamese embassies and consulates may publish their own fee schedules or additional local charges. Always check the website of the embassy or consulate where you plan to apply.
How long does it take to renew a Vietnamese passport?
Processing times vary depending on where the application is submitted.
Inside Vietnam
- Provincial Immigration Office: up to 8 working days
- Immigration Department: up to 5 working days
- Certain urgent first-time cases: up to 3 working days
Outside Vietnam
For standard applications submitted through Vietnamese embassies or consulates:
- First passport issuance: about 5 working days
- Passport replacement: about 3 working days
Applications requiring verification of Vietnamese citizenship or additional checks may take considerably longer.
Special situations
Lost passport
If your passport has been lost, you should report the loss as required and keep confirmation of the report. This document will usually be required when applying for a replacement passport.
Child’s passport
Applications for children under 14 must be submitted by a parent or legal representative. Additional documents, such as the child’s birth certificate, may be required.
Changed personal information
Applicants who have legally changed their name or other personal details should include documents confirming the updated information with their application.
Dual citizenship
Vietnamese citizens with another nationality can still renew a Vietnamese passport if they are able to demonstrate that they retain Vietnamese citizenship. If citizenship cannot be established from the available documents, additional verification may be required before a passport is issued.
FAQ
Can I renew my Vietnamese passport before it expires?
Yes. If your passport is close to its expiration date, you can apply for a replacement before it expires.
Can I renew my Vietnamese passport entirely online?
Not always. Applicants in Vietnam may complete most steps online if they meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants abroad usually complete the online declaration first and then follow the procedures of their local Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
Can I receive my new passport by mail?
Some authorities and overseas missions offer postal delivery. Availability depends on the office handling your application.
Can I renew my passport without a Citizen ID card?
Applicants inside Vietnam generally need a valid Citizen ID card to use the fully online application process. Other application methods may be available depending on individual circumstances.
What if my Vietnamese passport has already expired?
An expired passport can generally be replaced through the same official application procedures, provided you meet the applicable requirements and submit the necessary documents.