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;
• 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. |
|||