6 Major Types of Vietnam Visa

Vietnam tourist visa

Categorized as DL, Vietnam Tourist visa is the most common type of visa for travelers. It allows you to stay in Vietnam usually for 15 to 30 days every single entry and extendable afterwards.

There are four ways to apply for Tourist visa:

Visa on arrival

If you fly to Vietnam, it is most convenient to apply at the airport, which is called Visa on arrival in this case.

• First, in 3-5 days before the flight, apply online for an approval letter at https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/apply.html.
• Print the letter, present it with two passport sized photos and your valid passport upon your arrival at the airport in Vietnam to get you visa stamped.
• The stamping fee varies from USD 25 to USD 50 depending on your number of entries and you must pay in cash.

Visa at embassy

You can submit your visa application directly to the Embassy if you are near their office. The fee and documents required may vary.

E-visa

You can also apply online for your visa, which is called E-visa in this case. It allows a single-entry visit that lasts up to 30 days, for 80 nationalities.

• Go to Vietnam’s National Portal on Immigration (https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/) to apply.
• You will have to upload your scanned passport and your scanned passport photo separately, fill in the required information and pay 25 USD for application fee to submit the application.
• Save the registration code provided to check the status of your application later at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-ho-so and to print your e-visa.

If you want to save time, let a travel agency process the visa application for you and pay the additional service fee.

Vietnam business visa

If you are visiting Vietnam for business purposes, a business visa is the ideal type. It is categorized as DN1 and DN2. While DN1 visa is issued when you go to Vietnam to work with a company or an organization with legal status in Vietnam, DN2 visa is issued if you are offering services or goods in Vietnam with your own commercial presence.

Regarding validity and number of entries, there are several types of Vietnam Business visa: 1 entry in 1 month, multiple entries in 1 month, 1 entry in 3 months, multiple entries in 3 months, multiple entries in 6 months and multiple entries in 1 year. The shorter time you plan to stay in Vietnam, the easier it is to get your business visa granted.

There are three common ways to apply for this type of visa.

Visa on arrival

Similar to Tourist visa, Business visa can be issued upon arrival at an international airport in Vietnam as well.

• Apply online 3-5 days in advance for an approval letter at https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/apply.html.
• Print the letter, present it with two passport sized photos and your valid passport as you arrive at the airport in Vietnam to get you visa stamped.
• The stamping fee to be paid in cash may vary from USD 25 to USD 130 depending on your validity and number of entries.

Visa at embassy

You can also go to an Embassy/Consulate and follow their instructions to submit your application. The fee may vary.

E-visa

If your trip lasts no longer than 30 days, Business visa can be applied online as well.

• At https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/, after selecting “Business Activities” as your trip purpose, complete the application form by uploading your scanned passport and scanned passport photo separately, filling in the form and paying USD 25 for application fee.
• You will be provided with a registration code that is used for checking the status of your application at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-ho-so and for printing your e-visa.

Vietnam work visa

Labor visa is suitable for foreigners who work in Vietnam for a company. With validity of up to 1 year, a Labor visa can be extended for up to 10 years once you have obtained an LD temporary residence card.

There are two types of Labor visa, symbolized as LD1 and LD2. If you have a certificate of work permit exemption, you can apply for LD1. Otherwise, you need to present a work permit and get LD2.

To get a Labor visa, you need to ask the employer company in Vietnam to get you an LD visa approval letter. Depending on the type of approval letter they obtain, you can apply for your Labor visa at the nearest Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate or receive it upon your arrival. Expect paying visa approval application fee and visa stamping fee.

Note that you are considered eligible only if you have at least 3 years of working experience as an executive or senior, you have a work contract and the company can prove that the employer has advertised the recruitment in a newspaper or online site but has not found a good fit locally.

If you don’t have both a work permit and a work permit exemption certificate, consider getting a business visa first. Once your work permit is issued, you can apply for a Labor visa.

Vietnam investor visa

Categorized as DT, Vietnam Investor visa is issued to foreigners who go to Vietnam to invest in a business in Vietnam. Depending on the length of validity and capital contribution, there are 4 types of Investor visa:

• The DT1 visa is granted to investors who contribute at least VND 100 billion (~ USD4,253,510) and is valid for 10 years.
• The DT2 visa is granted to investors who contribute VND 50 billion - VND 100 billion (~ USD 2,126,755 - USD 4,253,510) and is valid for 5 years.
• The DT3 is granted to investors who contribute VND 03 billion - VND 50 billion (~ USD 127,605.3 - USD 2,126,755) and is valid for 3 years.
• The DT4 visa is granted to investors who contribute up to VND 03 billion (~ USD 127,605.3) and is valid for 1 year.

DT1, DT2 and DT3 are extendable with a temporary residence card.

In order to apply for an Investor visa, before you fly to Vietnam, prepare your valid passport and acquire a Visa Approval Letter with these required documents:

• (1) Enterprise or Investment Registration Certificate (certified copy) for the Vietnam-based company you plan to invest in.
• (2) Temporary residence form
• (3) Form NA16,
• (4) Form NA5 and
• (5) Form NA2 with Barcode.

The process might take about 5 working days. After that, you can submit the letter, two 4x6cm photos, your passport and form NA5 to a nearby Vietnam Embassy/Consulate and show up on the scheduled date to receive your Investor visa. Otherwise, you can present the letter, photos, passport and Form N1 to have the visa stamped when you arrive at the airport. The visa stamping fee varies from USD 25 to USD 50 depending on the number of entries and the valid time.

Vietnam visa for family visit (dependant visa)

Symbolized as TT, Vietnam Dependent visa is suitable for foreigners who want to stay in Vietnam for up to 12 months to visit their relatives. You are considered eligible if your husband/ wife/ parent/ child is Vietnamese citizens. If he/ she is a foreigner who holds a LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1, LD2 visa, the validity of your TT visa is at least 30 days shorter than the his/ her passport validity. Note that if you are over 18 years old and your guarantor is also a foreigner, your TT visa is valid for no more than 6 months. If you want to keep staying in Vietnam after your TT visa expires, you can apply for a Dependant residence card.

To obtain your TT visa, your relative has to do most of the work. If he/she is a Vietnamese citizen, the required documents to prepare are:

• Form NA3 (to ask for your permit to enter the country as a dependent, in case you have not arrived) or NA5 (to apply for your visa/ visa extension, in case you are already staying in Vietnam)
• A certified copy of his/ her ID card and household registration book
• Relevant certificates to prove the legal relationship between you and him/her

Otherwise, he/she is to prepare:

• Form NA2 (to apply for your dependent visa, in case your have not arrived) or NA5 (to apply for your visa/ visa extension, in case you are already staying in Vietnam)
• Your original passport (in case you are already staying in Vietnam)
• His/ her passport and visa/ residence card
• Relevant certificates to prove the legal relationship between you and him/her
• An introduction letter that requests him/her to process your visa application on your behalf at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

After submitting these documents to the Immigration office in Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh city, he/she should get the result within 5 business days.

Vietnam student visa

Symbolized as DH, Vietnam Student visa is issued for foreigners who stay in Vietnam to study. Its validity is at least 30 days shorter than your passport validity and generally no longer than 12 months. It can also be extended for up to 1 year.

Student visa is commonly applied for after your arrival. You can obtain a Tourist visa first to enter Vietnam and enroll in the course. Apply for a visa status change afterwards at the Vietnam Immigration Department. Besides a valid passport, you must prepare a written acceptance letter from the school, and there must be an organization in Vietnam to serve as the guarantor.

Expect paying from between USD 35 and USD 145 depending on the length of validity and number of entries. If you plan to come back to your home country, you should choose a multiple entry visa. However, choosing an agency to apply for this type of visa on your behalf should be easier than doing it on your own. The service fee and time it takes may hence vary.

In conclusion, Vietnam visas with numerous types can serve different purposes. Hopefully the above information helps you determine your ideal type and makes it easier for you to get it granted.

Summary on types of visa for Vietnam

Note: Visa on arrival is good for tourism purpose only, you may not be able to get other types of visa with this method.

Further reading: How to change type of visa in Vietnam