Vietnam
Explore Vietnam visa options and e-visa applications.
15 visa types · 9 guides · 4 forms
Immigration to Vietnam — at a glance
Vietnam's immigration system is run by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) under the Ministry of Public Security, with consular issuance handled by Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad. The two main entry mechanisms are the e-Visa, available online to citizens of all countries since August 2023, and traditional visas issued at consulates or via the Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) approval-letter system arranged through licensed Vietnamese sponsors.
Vietnam expanded its visa-free entry list and increased validity periods in 2023. Citizens of selected countries — including most ASEAN states, Japan, South Korea, and several Western European nations — can enter visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. The e-Visa is now valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entries, simplifying both tourism and short-business travel. For longer stays, a Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ Tạm Trú, TRC) up to 5 years is available to investors, work-permit holders, foreign workers' family members, and certain other categories.
Working in Vietnam requires a coordinated work-permit and visa workflow. The local employer first obtains a Demand Approval (Position Approval) from the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA), then files a Work Permit (Giấy phép Lao động) application — separate from the visa itself. Once the Work Permit is issued, the worker applies for a corresponding LD or LD2 visa or, if the work permit is more than 12 months, for a TRC. The guides in this hub focus on the document choreography between DOLISA, the Immigration Department, and the local police that determine processing timelines.
After arrival, the residence sequence runs through three institutions. The Immigration Department issues the visa or TRC; the Department of Labour issues the Work Permit (separately, and tied to a specific employer); and the local police register your residence address (Tạm Trú) with your landlord within 24 hours of moving in. Long-stay foreigners must report any address change to the police, renew the Work Permit before the visa or TRC is renewed, and keep the passport, visa, TRC, and Work Permit aligned at every step. Misalignment between these documents is the single biggest cause of immigration irregularities for working foreigners.
Main pathways into Vietnam
Pick your route based on the length and purpose: visa-free for short tourism (selected nationalities, up to 45 days), e-Visa for tourism or business (up to 90 days), Investor visa or DT TRC for company owners, LD work permit for salaried roles, and TT visa or TRC for spouses and family members of Vietnamese citizens or residents.
- Visa ExemptionUp to 45 days for citizens of selected ASEAN, EU, and Asian countries.
- e-VisaUp to 90 days, single or multiple entry, available online to citizens of all countries.
- LD/LĐ Work VisaFor salaried foreign workers with an approved Vietnamese Work Permit.
- DT (Investor) visa and DT TRCFor foreign investors and business owners; tier based on capital invested (DT1–DT4).
- TT (Family Visit) visa and TT TRCFor spouses and dependants of Vietnamese citizens or work-permit holders.
- Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ Tạm Trú)Up to 5 years; replaces multiple-entry visa renewals for long-stay foreigners.
Key facts about Vietnam immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Vietnam Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security
DOLISA issues work permits separately.
Currency
VND (₫ / Vietnamese đồng)
Visa fees often quoted in USD.
e-Visa portal
evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (Ministry of Public Security)
e-Visa duration
Up to 90 days; single or multiple entry
Visa-free duration
Up to 45 days for selected nationalities (Japan, South Korea, most EU, UK, Australia, NZ, Belarus, Russia)
Work permit
Required for any salaried role longer than 30 working days; valid up to 2 years.
Temporary Residence Card
Up to 5 years; replaces multi-entry visa for long-stay foreigners.
Permanent residence
Restricted; granted in narrow circumstances (humanitarian, special contributions, long-term investors with PR endorsement).
Typical fees and processing windows (Vietnam)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| e-Visa (single-entry, 90-day) | US$25 | 3 working days standard; expedited not available |
| e-Visa (multiple-entry, 90-day) | US$50 | 3 working days standard |
| Visa-on-Arrival approval letter (1-month single-entry) | US$25 stamping fee + service fee through licensed agency | 2–5 working days for approval letter |
| Work Permit (initial issuance) | VND 600,000–1,000,000 typical | ~7 working days at DOLISA after demand-approval phase |
| Temporary Residence Card | US$80–US$155 depending on duration (1, 2, or 5 years) | 5 working days at the Immigration Department after Work Permit is issued |
Start with your goal
Choose what you want to do in Vietnam and get a tailored guide.
Explore visa types
15 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
Forms
Official form guidance and document checklists.
Which Vietnamese route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in Vietnam.
Situation 1
I want to visit Vietnam for tourism for less than 90 days.
Apply for the e-Visa (90-day single or multiple entry). If you hold a passport from a 45-day visa-exempt country, you may not need a visa at all.
Situation 2
I have a job offer from a Vietnamese employer.
The employer must first obtain DOLISA Demand Approval and the Work Permit. Once approved, you apply for an LD visa at a consulate or convert in Vietnam.
Situation 3
I am investing in or starting a Vietnamese company.
Register company capital with the local Department of Planning and Investment, then apply for the DT visa tier matched to your contribution. DT TRC valid up to 5 years for higher tiers.
Situation 4
My partner is Vietnamese.
Apply for the TT visa or TT TRC. Bring marriage certificate (apostilled or legalised) and Vietnamese partner's ID. TRC up to 3 years available; PR is restricted but may be considered after 3 years of marriage.
Situation 5
I am a digital nomad with overseas income.
Vietnam does not offer a dedicated digital-nomad visa. Most remote workers use the e-Visa (90 days) and exit/re-enter, or a 1-year DN business visa via a licensed sponsor — but verify each entry's purpose with current Immigration Department guidance.
Recent Vietnam immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
e-Visa expanded to all nationalities
Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam offers e-Visa to citizens of all countries, with validity extended to 90 days and multiple-entry options.
Visa-free stay extended to 45 days
Citizens of selected countries (including most EU members, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Belarus) can enter visa-free for up to 45 days, up from 15 days previously.
Vietnam immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit Vietnam.
How does the Vietnamese e-Visa work?
Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn with your passport bio-page scan, a digital photo, and travel-date details. The fee is US$25 for single-entry and US$50 for multiple-entry, both with up to 90 days of validity. Processing takes 3 working days; the e-Visa is sent by email and printed for entry. The e-Visa is now available to citizens of all countries.
Do I need a work permit to work in Vietnam?
Yes. Any salaried role for more than 30 working days requires a Vietnamese Work Permit (Giấy phép Lao động). Your employer first obtains a Demand Approval from DOLISA confirming the role, then files the Work Permit application. Once issued, you apply for an LD/LĐ visa or, for stays over 12 months, a Temporary Residence Card. Working without a Work Permit risks deportation and a 3- to 5-year ban.
What is the difference between a visa and a TRC?
A visa allows entry and stay for the visa's validity period; a TRC (Thẻ Tạm Trú) is a temporary residence card that replaces the multi-entry visa for long-stay foreigners. TRCs come in 1, 2, 3, and 5-year terms based on the underlying purpose (work, investment, family). TRC holders can re-enter Vietnam without a separate visa for the entire validity period.
Can I extend my e-Visa or visa-free entry inside Vietnam?
e-Visas are not directly extendable; you must exit and re-enter, or apply for a different visa category through a licensed sponsor. Visa-exempt stays can sometimes be extended through a licensed Vietnamese travel agency or sponsor by converting to a different visa type, but the policy varies and consular services are increasingly strict on overstays.
How does the Investor (DT) visa tier system work?
Vietnam tiers Investor visas by capital contributed: DT1 (over VND 100B / ~US$4M, up to 5 years), DT2 (VND 50–100B, up to 5 years), DT3 (VND 3–50B, up to 3 years), DT4 (under VND 3B, up to 12 months). Higher tiers also unlock longer Temporary Residence Cards. The investment must be reflected in the company's registered capital with the Department of Planning and Investment.
Can my spouse and children join me in Vietnam?
Yes. Spouses and minor children of LD work-permit holders can apply for the TT (family) visa or TT Temporary Residence Card matched to your validity period. They can study but cannot work without a separate Work Permit. Family members of Vietnamese citizens have a slightly different TT category with broader rights and a clearer path to a long-stay TRC.
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