San Marino entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Vietnamese passport holders need a visa to enter San Marino. Since San Marino has no airport, you'll fly into Italy and cross the land border. Ensure your Schengen visa (or visa-free access to Italy) is valid for your entire stay. As of 2026, there is no separate San Marino visa application process; you must obtain a Schengen visa from Italy.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required | You need a Schengen visa to enter San Marino. Apply at the Italian embassy or consulate in Vietnam since San Marino has no diplomatic representation there. Submit your application at least 15 days before travel.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in San Marino. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by San Marino, but airlines may enforce 6 months validity for Schengen travel. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for Schengen entry | Immigration at the Schengen border will ask for a return or onward ticket proving you leave the Schengen area within 90 days. Budget airlines check this strictly before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Have a hotel booking or invitation letter ready. Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a pre-booked place. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry evidence of sufficient funds for your stay — around €50–€100 per day. A bank statement or credit card limit showing available balance works. | Recommended |
No airport in San Marino
You must fly into Italy first. The nearest major airports are Bologna (BLQ) and Rimini (RMI). Plan your transport accordingly — buses run from both cities to San Marino.
Open border with Italy
There are no passport checks at the San Marino border. You simply walk or drive in. But your passport and visa must be valid for entry into Italy — that's where the real check happens.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a Schengen Visa (if you don't have one)
Submit your application at the Italian embassy or consulate in Vietnam. You'll need a completed visa form, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, travel insurance, and proof of funds. Processing takes 15–30 days. Cost: €80 for adults, €40 for children 6–12.
2
Fly into Italy
Most travellers fly into Bologna (BLQ), Rimini (RMI), or Ancona (AOI) airports. From there, take a bus or rent a car to reach San Marino. At Italian passport control, show your passport and Schengen visa. They may ask for your return ticket and accommodation.
3
Cross the border into San Marino
There are no border checks between Italy and San Marino — you simply drive or walk across. No additional visa or stamp is needed. Keep your passport handy in case of random checks.
4
Enjoy your stay and exit before visa expiry
San Marino is tiny — you can see the main sights in a day. Make sure you leave the Schengen Area (or Italy) before your visa expires. Overstaying can lead to fines or future visa denials.
Download San Marino Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 90 days from issue date
Cost€80 (≈ $87 USD)
Allows one entry; must be used within validity period.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per visit
ValidityUp to 5 years (subject to approval)
Cost€80 (≈ $87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; requires strong travel history and justification.
National Long-Stay Visa (D Visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (≈ $108 USD)
For work, study, family reunification, or other long-term purposes. Requires sponsorship.
work visa
Work Visa (Permesso di Lavoro)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€100 (≈ $109 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer from a San Marino employer. Requires employer sponsorship and labor market approval. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto per Studio)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€50 (≈ $54 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a recognized educational institution in San Marino. Requires proof of acceptance and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€500 (≈ $545 USD) application fee
For individuals making a significant investment in San Marino (e.g., real estate, business). Minimum investment thresholds apply.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Schengen visa application feeStandard fee for adult applicants; may vary by age and nationality. | €80 (≈ $87 USD) |
| Service charge (if applicable)Additional fee charged by outsourced visa application centers. | Varies by visa application center (approx. €20-40 / $22-44 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through San Marino
No transit visa needed
San Marino has no airports; transit occurs via Italy. Vietnam passport holders transiting through Italy to San Marino do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a valid Schengen visa or visa-free access to Italy.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without additional visa.
- Holders of a valid visa for the UK, US, Canada, Japan, or Australia may transit without visa for up to 24 hours under certain conditions.
Transit hubsFederico Fellini International Airport (Rimini, Italy) · Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (Italy)
Health & vaccines for San Marino
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but possible in rural/wooded areas; consider vaccination if extensive outdoor exposure.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions recommended; tap water is safe.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San Marino
Ufficio Stranieri (Foreigners Office)
Via del Serrone, 2, 47890 San Marino
Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00, 14:00–16:00
Handles visa extensions and residence permits. Appointments recommended.
Practical information for VN travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan Marino
LanguageItalian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,F,LType C (2 round pins), Type F (Schuko), Type L (3 round pins)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout San Marino.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. San Marino does not issue its own visas. You must have a valid Schengen visa (or be visa-exempt for Italy) to enter. The same visa allows you to visit San Marino as a side trip from Italy.
No. Vietnamese passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Italy, and since San Marino is only accessible via Italy, you must have that visa. There is no visa waiver for Vietnamese citizens.
Your stay in San Marino counts toward your 90-day limit within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. You cannot exceed that limit even if you're only in San Marino.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You could be fined, banned from re-entering the Schengen Area, or have future visa applications rejected. San Marino police cooperate with Italian authorities on immigration matters.
Yes. Italian border guards may ask for proof of onward travel when you enter Italy. A return flight or train ticket out of the Schengen Area is sufficient.
No. There is no visa on arrival for any nationality. You must have a valid Schengen visa before you travel.
You apply for a Schengen visa through the Italian embassy, since Italy is your main destination. In your application, you can mention that you plan to visit San Marino as a side trip. The visa will be issued by Italy.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.