Visa

Vietnam’s immigration and entry procedures are governed by the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (the Immigration Law). Vietnam’s visa and work permit procedures may be confusing for first-time visitors. We explain the steps and what foreigners should pay attention to when planning a long-term visit. How to get a Vietnam visa? To enter Vietnam, a foreigner needs a visa issued by the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. A Vietnamese visa can be granted while in a third country or from within Vietnam. Citizens of the following countries can receive a free entry visa to Vietnam for the duration listed below: • ASEAN countries: from 14 to 30 days; • Chile and Panama: 90 days; and • Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK (British citizens only): 45 days (the gap of at least 30 days between two visa-free entries has been removed as per the new immigration law). People of all nationalities can enter Vietnam on a single-entry visa for a duration of up to 90 days, using Vietnam’s new e-visa application system. Immigration Law has prescribed three working days for the processing time for an e-visa after completing registration and fee payment. However, the processing time may vary depending on the number of applications. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications 2 weeks prior to arrival in Vietnam. Types of visas for entry to Vietnam To work in Vietnam and remain for an extended period, foreigners are required to apply for longer-term visas, such as a three-month single or multiple entry visa. Foreigners entering on business visas must collect the business visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate – this type of visa must be sponsored by the employer. Relevant visa types include: Vietnam Visa Types Visa Description Validity DL Tourist visa 90 days HN Meetings/Conferences 90 days LD LD1 Working in Vietnam and eligible for a work permit exemption 2 years LD2 Working in Vietnam with a work permit 2 years LV LV1 Working with: - Agencies, departments, and units directly under the Central Party Committee; - Provincial Party Committee, City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee of province/city directly under the Central Government; and - Government, National Assembly, Central Committee of the Fatherland Front, Supreme People's Court/Procuracy, State Audit, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government. 1 year LV2 Working with: - Social organizations; - Socio-political organizations; and - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 1 year LS Lawyer visa 5 years DT DT1 Investor visa: issued for investors with total investment capital over VND 100 billion (US$3.94 million), or for investment into ‘prioritized’ sectors, professions, or geographical areas determined by the government. 5 years DT2 Investor visa: issued for investors with total investment capital between VND 50 billion (US$1.97 million) and VND 100 billion (US$3.94 million), or for investment into ‘encouraged’ sectors, professions, or geographical areas determined by the government. 5 years DT3 Investor visa: issued for investors with total investment capital between VND 3 billion (US$118.096) and VND 50 billion (US$1.97 million). 3 years DT4 Investor visa: issued for investors with total investment capital less than VND 3 billion (US$118.096). 1 year DN DN1 Working with entities having legal status in Vietnam 1 year DN2 Entering to promote services, establish commercial presences, or conduct activities according to Vietnam’s international agreements 1 year EV Electronic visa 90 days NN NN1-2 Chief Representative Office in Vietnam, Head of Project Office of foreign NGO 1 year NN3 NGO Staff, Representative Office 1 year DH Student/Internship 1 year NG NG1-4 Diplomatic visa 1 year PV PV1-2 Press and foreign correspondents 1 year TT - Dependents of holder of LV1-2, LS, DT1-3, NN1-2, DH, PV1, LD1-2; or - Foreigners that are parents, spouses, or children of Vietnamese citizens. 1 year VR Expatriates visiting their relatives or for other purposes 180 days SQ Entering for the purpose of market survey, tourism, visiting relatives, or medical treatment: - Individuals doing business with an overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam, his/her spouse and children; - Individuals that present a written request by a competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country; and - Individuals presenting a diplomatic note of sponsorship by a foreign diplomatic mission or consular mission at the host country. 30 days Note: With LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1, LD2, and TT visas, foreigners can apply for a temporary residence card within 2 – 10 years, depending on the visa type. Visa type conversion The Immigration Law currently allows the conversion of one type of visa to another type or purpose, without having to leave Vietnam. Expatriates can be eligible to change their visa type if they entered Vietnam under the following visa types and meet the following criteria: • Investors and representatives of a foreign organization investing in Vietnam; • Dependents of Vietnamese citizens; and • Being invited or guaranteed by agencies or organizations and having a work permit or work permit exemption certificate. Following a visa application conversion, a new visa will be granted. Work permit procedures and requirements A Vietnamese entity can recruit foreign workers to work as managers, executive directors, and experts where local hires are not yet able to meet business requirements. Unlike in certain other Asian countries, Vietnamese representative offices are also able to hire staff directly. Under new regulations, the processing time includes: Announcing job vacancy The recruitment of Vietnamese workers for positions usually filled by foreign workers is announced on the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (Employment Department) website or the Employment Service Center website. These announcements are made at least 15 days before submitting an explanation report to the Ministry or the Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs. Explanation reporting Send an explanation report to the competent authority. This process will at least take 15 days prior to the date of hiring foreign workers. Within 10 working days, after receiving an explanation report, the competent authority shall issue a document specifying acceptable and unacceptable job positions for foreign workers.