Vietnam (VN)

Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.

Capital: Hanoi

Region: Asia

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: VND (₫)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)

Emergency: 113

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Vietnam.

Visa-Free Access

As of 2026, Vietnam grants unilateral visa-free entry to nationals of approximately 25 countries for various durations (14–45 days). Notable visa-free agreements: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea (45 days). ASEAN members (14–30 days). Belarus (15 days). A 90-day E-Visa is available to nationals of approximately 190 countries at USD 25 — effectively the standard entry route for most long-stay visitors. Always verify your nationality's current visa-free status at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (mfa.gov.vn) as the list changes. Even visa-free nationals must check their permitted duration.

Vietnam immigration is managed by the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất Nhập Cảnh) under the Ministry of Public Security. Key practical notes for expats: (1) The 90-day E-Visa is the simplest and most practical entry for most purposes. (2) For employment: Work Permit + LD Visa + TRC is the gold-standard legal structure. (3) Overstaying any visa carries fines (VND 3,000,000–5,000,000 for first offence) and potential entry bans. (4) The TM30 temporary residence registration must be completed within 24 hours of changing address — landlords are responsible but expats must chase if not done. (5) Vietnam immigration rules change regularly — check the official portal (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or consult an immigration specialist before each visa application. (6) Passport must have at least 6 months validity beyond the intended stay AND sufficient blank visa pages. (7) Children's visas and TRC must be obtained separately — they are not automatically added to parents' documents.

E-Visa (Electronic Visa)

Thị Thực Điện Tử (E-Visa)

USD 25

Duration: 90 days, multiple entry

Eligibility

Nationals of approximately 190 countries

Processing time

3 business days (can be faster)

Requirements

✓Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay
✓Digital passport photo (4×6cm, white background)
✓Online application at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn only
✓Credit/debit card for USD 25 fee
✓Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visit family, etc.)
✓Entry border gate selection
✓Accommodation details for first night

💡 Valid for all international border gates (airports and land borders). Multiple entry means you can leave and re-enter Vietnam within the 90-day validity. The E-Visa clock starts from the entry date stamped at immigration, not the approval date. You can apply for a new E-Visa immediately after the previous one expires — no cooling off period. Save a printed copy plus digital backup. Most convenient visa option for tourism, short-term business and remote workers.

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Thị Thực Tại Cửa Khẩu

Approval letter: USD 8–20 (via agent). Stamping fee: USD 25 (single), USD 50 (multiple entry)

Duration: 1–3 months, single or multiple entry

Eligibility

Nationals invited by a Vietnamese sponsoring organisation; requires pre-approved letter

Processing time

2–5 business days for approval letter

Requirements

✓Pre-approved invitation letter from a registered Vietnamese entity
✓Completed arrival form
✓Payment for stamping fee (USD cash at airport)
✓Passport photo
✓Passport valid 6+ months

💡 Only available at international airports, NOT at land or sea border crossings. Approval letter obtained through a travel agency or visa service. Largely superseded by the E-Visa for most nationalities but still used by some when E-Visa unavailable or for last-minute applications.

Tourist Visa (DL)

Thị Thực Du Lịch

VND 1,400,000–1,600,000 at embassy; USD 25 via E-Visa route

Duration: 1–3 months, single or multiple entry

Eligibility

All nationalities

Processing time

3–7 business days at embassy

Requirements

✓Completed application form
✓Passport valid 6+ months
✓Passport photo
✓Proof of travel itinerary / accommodation
✓Travel insurance (recommended)
✓Return ticket or onward travel evidence

💡 Embassy-applied tourist visa. Mostly replaced by the more convenient E-Visa but available as backup.

Business Visa (DN/HN)

Thị Thực Thương Mại

USD 50–100+ depending on duration and entries

Duration: 3 months to 1 year, single or multiple entry

Eligibility

Business visitors sponsored by Vietnamese entities

Processing time

5–10 business days

Requirements

✓Invitation letter from Vietnamese business partner or branch
✓Passport valid 6+ months
✓Business registration of sponsoring company
✓Application form
✓Passport photos

💡 Required for extended business activities. A DN1 visa is for business dealings; DN2 for market research; HN for conferences. Business visa holders cannot undertake employment — separate Work Permit required for employment. Can be extended inside Vietnam.

Labour Visa (LD)

Thị Thực Lao Động

VND 1,400,000–1,600,000 at Immigration Department

Duration: Up to 2 years (matching work permit term)

Eligibility

Foreign workers holding a Vietnamese Work Permit or work permit exemption certificate

Processing time

5–10 business days at Immigration Department

Requirements

✓Work Permit (Giấy Phép Lao Động) or Work Permit Exemption Certificate
✓Passport valid 6+ months
✓Application form
✓Passport photos (4×6cm)
✓Health certificate from approved Vietnamese hospital
✓Police clearance certificate (apostilled from home country)

💡 Most long-stay expats working in Vietnam hold an LD visa + Work Permit. After obtaining LD visa, apply for Temporary Residence Card (TRC) for 1–5 year multi-entry residence document. Employer typically handles the application process. Renewal requires updated work permit and documents.

Investor Visa (DT)

Thị Thực Đầu Tư

VND 1,400,000 application fee

Duration: DT1: 5 years (capital VND 100+ billion); DT2: 5 years (VND 50–100 billion); DT3: 3 years (VND 3–50 billion); DT4: 1 year (VND 3 billion)

Eligibility

Foreign investors with registered investment capital in Vietnam

Processing time

5–10 business days

Requirements

✓Investment Registration Certificate or Enterprise Registration Certificate showing foreign investor status
✓Passport valid 6+ months
✓Passport photos
✓Evidence of investment capital

💡 Investor visas can be extended and converted to TRC. Investors with DT1/DT2 visas are eligible for 5-year TRC. Significant advantage over LD visa — no work permit requirement for investors managing their own enterprise.

Relatives of Vietnamese Citizens / PR (TT)

Thị Thực Thăm Thân

VND 1,400,000

Duration: Up to 1 year, multiple entry. Eligible for 3–5 year TRC.

Eligibility

Spouses, children, parents of Vietnamese citizens or permanent residents

Processing time

5–10 business days

Requirements

✓Marriage certificate (for spouses) — notarised and translated
✓Birth certificate (for children/parents)
✓Household registration (hộ khẩu) of Vietnamese sponsor
✓Letter from Vietnamese sponsor
✓Passport valid 6+ months

💡 Spouses of Vietnamese citizens are eligible for a 5-year TRC which allows them to live and work (if they also hold a work permit or are exempt) without constant visa renewal. Property purchase is also facilitated by TT visa holder status.

No Dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (Vietnam)

Digital Nomad

Không có thị thực nomad kỹ thuật số riêng

E-Visa: USD 25 per application at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

Duration: E-Visa: 90 days multiple entry (renewable by departing and reapplying; no mandatory gap between applications). Visa-free: 30–45 days depending on nationality.

Eligibility

Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad or remote work visa as of 2026. The 90-day multiple-entry E-Visa (USD 25) is the de facto option used by most remote workers for short-to-medium stays. Citizens of approximately 25 countries can enter visa-free for 30–45 days. Performing remote work for overseas clients while on an E-Visa or tourist visa exists in a legal grey zone — it is tolerated in practice but not officially permitted under Vietnamese law.

Processing time

E-Visa: 3 business days. Visa-free: instant at border.

Requirements

✓E-Visa: valid passport (6+ months), passport photo, online application, USD 25 fee
✓No formal income or employment proof required for tourist/E-Visa entry
✓For long-term legal residency and work: employer-sponsored Work Permit + LD Labour Visa + Temporary Residence Card (TRC) — see Labour Visa entry above

💡 A 5-year Talent Visa (SVEC) was introduced in 2025 but requires formal nomination by a Vietnamese institution and targets top-level academics, senior executives, and nationally recognised artists — it is not a practical digital nomad route. The standard path for most long-term remote workers is a repeating 90-day E-Visa cycle (exit and reapply). Tax residency risk applies after 183+ days in a calendar year (Vietnamese personal income tax on worldwide income). Consult a Vietnamese tax adviser if planning an extended stay.

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