Vietnam Visa Requirements 2026 (Documents, Photo & By Nationality)

Vietnam offers various visa types for multiple different entry purposes. In this guide, we will walk you through the different types of Vietnam visas to help you make the right choice.

Overview of Vietnam Visa Types & Codes

Vietnam visas are typically categorized based on two factors:

• The purpose of your visit
• The validity of the visa

There are different type of Vietnam visa for different purposes

Related blog post: Vietnam Visa Fees 2026 (E-visa, VOA & Urgent Rush Costs)

Vietnam tourist visa (DL)

The Vietnam Tourist Visa (Code: DL), is intended for foreign nationals entering Vietnam for tourism and travel without engaging in labor or investment.

The DL visa is suitable for foreign nationals who intend to stay in Vietnam for non-commercial purposes.Foreign nationals who intend to work, study, invest, or conduct other specific activities in Vietnam may need to apply for a different visa category.

A Vietnam Tourist Visa can be issued for up to 90 days, with either single or multiple entries. Vietnam's electronic visa (EV) can also be issued for up to 90 days with single or multiple entries.

Requirements

For a tourist visa application, applicants generally need:

• A valid passport
• A completed visa application form
• A passport-sized photo
• Documents required for the selected application method
• Other information or documents requested by the Vietnamese immigration authorities

For an e-visa application, applicants need to provide a passport scan and portrait photo and complete the online application with their travel and personal information.

How to apply for a Vietnam tourist visa

There are several ways to apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa, depending on the applicant's circumstances.

Visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate

Applicants can submit their visa application to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The required documents and procedure may vary depending on the diplomatic mission.

Electronic visa

Eligible foreign nationals outside Vietnam can apply for an e-visa online through the Vietnam National Electronic Visa system.

The application process generally involves:

1. Completing the online application form
2. Uploading the required passport and photo information
3. Paying the visa fee
4. Keeping the registration code to check the application status
5. Downloading and printing the approved e-visa

The official e-visa fee is $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry.

Visa on Arrival

Visa issuance at a Vietnamese border checkpoint is available only in specific circumstances prescribed by Vietnamese immigration law. It is therefore not a general option for every tourist arriving at a Vietnamese airport.

Fee

For an e-visa, the fee is:

• $25 for single entry
• $50 for multiple entry

For visas issued through other channels, the applicable visa fee varies according to the visa's validity and number of entries.

Important notes

A tourist visa is intended for tourism. Foreign nationals who plan to work or carry out activities requiring another immigration status should apply for the appropriate visa instead.

The previous practice of describing Visa on Arrival as a universally available option for tourists is no longer accurate. Applicants should first confirm that they fall within one of the cases permitted to receive a visa at a Vietnamese border checkpoint.

A Vietnam tourists visa allows travelers to stay up to 90 days

Vietnam business visa (DN1/DN2)

Vietnam Business Visas are classified into two categories: DN1 and DN2.

• DN1: Issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam to work with Vietnamese enterprises or organizations that have legal status.
• DN2: Issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam to offer services, establish a commercial presence, or carry out other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

The DN1/DN2 visa is intended for foreign nationals entering Vietnam for permitted business activities, such as:

• Working with a Vietnamese company or organization
• Business meetings and cooperation
• Commercial negotiations
• Offering services
• Establishing a commercial presence
• Other activities covered by the relevant visa category

A business visa should not be treated as a substitute for a work visa when the foreign national is required to obtain a work permit to work in Vietnam.

A DN1 or DN2 visa can be issued for up to 1 year. The commonly offered 1-month or 3-month options are not the maximum validity allowed for this visa category.

Requirements

Applicants generally need:

• A valid passport
• A visa application form
• Sponsorship from an eligible Vietnamese company or organization
• Documents relating to the Vietnamese sponsor
• Documents supporting the purpose of entry
• Other documents required by the immigration authorities

The Vietnamese company or organization normally needs to complete the relevant sponsorship procedure before the foreign national can obtain the visa.

How to apply for a Vietnam business visa

Fee

For visas issued by Vietnamese authorities, the government fee ranges from $25 to $165, depending on the visa's number of entries and validity.

Any service fee charged by a visa agency is separate from the government visa fee.

Important notes

The appropriate visa should match the actual purpose of entry. Foreign nationals who will work as employees in Vietnam may need a work permit or work-permit exemption and an LD visa rather than a DN1/DN2 visa.

Vietnam work visa (LD1/LD2)

The Vietnam Work Visa is intended for foreign nationals who work in Vietnam.

There are two main types:

• LD1: For foreign workers who are exempt from the work permit requirement.
• LD2: For foreign workers who are required to obtain a work permit.

The LD1 or LD2 visa is intended for foreign nationals who will legally work for an employer or organization in Vietnam. The appropriate category depends on whether the foreign worker is required to obtain a work permit.

An LD1 or LD2 visa can be issued for up to 2 years.

The validity of an LD visa should not be confused with the validity of a temporary residence card. The two are separate immigration documents and have different validity periods.

Requirements

The key document for an LD visa application is generally one of the following:

• A valid work permit
• Or a document confirming exemption from the work permit requirement

Applicants may also need:

• A valid passport
• Visa application forms
• Sponsorship documents from the Vietnamese employer
• Immigration approval documents where required
• Other supporting documents depending on the applicant's circumstances

A police check or health certificate should not be presented as a universal requirement for the LD visa itself. These documents may instead be required as part of the separate work permit process, depending on the case.

How to apply

The Vietnamese employer normally sponsors the foreign worker's immigration application.

The general process is:

1. The employer completes the required sponsorship and immigration procedures.
2. The foreign worker obtains a work permit or work-permit exemption confirmation when required.
3. The required immigration approval is obtained.
4. The foreign worker applies for the LD visa through the applicable Vietnamese authority, embassy/consulate, or permitted entry procedure.
5. The visa is issued according to the approved validity.

If a foreign worker does not yet have the documents required for an LD visa, the employer may arrange another appropriate visa for the foreign national while the work authorization process is completed. A business visa, however, does not replace a required work permit.

Fee

The visa government fee ranges from $25 to $165, depending on the number of entries and validity. Additional fees may apply for the work permit, immigration approval, or visa processing service.

Important notes

The Vietnam work permit and work visa are two different requirements. Having an LD visa does not eliminate the need for a work permit when the foreign worker is legally required to have one.

Vietnam investor visa (DT1–DT4)

The Vietnam Investor Visa, identified by the DT code, is intended for foreign nationals who invest in Vietnam.

There are four investor visa categories, based mainly on the investor's capital contribution and the applicable investment conditions.

The four investor visa categories are:

The applicable investment conditions may also depend on the investment sector or location, not only the amount of capital contributed.

The maximum validity is:

• DT1: up to 5 years
• DT2: up to 5 years
• DT3: up to 3 years
• DT4: up to 1 year

The DT1 visa has a maximum validity of 5 years, while a DT1 Vietnam temporary residence card may have a longer validity. These should not be treated as the same document.

Requirements

Applicants generally need:

• A valid passport
• Documents proving the investment
• Enterprise or investment registration documents where applicable
• Documents relating to the Vietnamese business or investment project
• Visa application forms
• Sponsorship and immigration documents
• Other documents requested by the immigration authorities

The exact documents may vary depending on the investor's investment structure and circumstances.

How to apply

The general application process involves:

1. Preparing the relevant investment and business documents.
2. Completing the required sponsorship and immigration procedures in Vietnam.
3. Obtaining the required immigration approval.
4. Applying for the investor visa through the applicable Vietnamese authority, embassy/consulate, or permitted entry procedure.
5. Receiving the DT visa according to the approved validity.

Fee

The government visa fee ranges from $25 to $165, depending on the number of entries and validity.

Investment registration costs, document preparation fees, and visa agency service fees are charged separately where applicable.

Important notes

The DT visa category is determined by the investor's qualifying investment. Applicants should provide documents that clearly demonstrate their investment level and eligibility for the relevant DT category.

Vietnam family/dependent visa (TT)

The Vietnam Dependent Visa (code: TT is intended for eligible foreign family members who wish to join or visit relatives in Vietnam. The visa can apply to family members of certain foreign nationals holding eligible visas as well as certain relatives of Vietnamese citizens.

The TT visa may be available to:

• Spouses and children under 18 of certain foreign nationals holding eligible visas
• Parents, spouses, and children of Vietnamese citizens

Eligibility depends on the family relationship and the immigration status of the sponsor.

A TT visa can be issued for up to 1 year. Where the TT visa is based on an eligible foreign sponsor, its validity may be linked to the sponsor's visa or residence status and the applicable immigration rules.

Requirements

Applicants generally need:

• A valid passport
• A visa application form
• Documents proving the family relationship
• Sponsorship documents
• The sponsor's passport and visa or residence documents, where applicable
• Vietnamese identification or residence documents for eligible Vietnamese sponsors
• Other documents requested by the immigration authorities

Documents proving the relationship may include a marriage certificate or birth certificate, depending on the relationship.

How to apply

• If the applicant is outside Vietnam: The eligible sponsor can complete the required sponsorship procedure before the foreign national enters Vietnam.
• If the applicant is already in Vietnam: The sponsor can submit the relevant application for visa issuance or extension, depending on the applicant's circumstances and current immigration status.

Fee

The government visa fee ranges from $25 to $165, depending on the number of entries and validity. Additional service fees may apply if the application is handled by a visa agency.

Important notes

Not every family relationship with a Vietnamese citizen automatically qualifies for a TT visa. The applicant and sponsor must meet the family relationship and eligibility conditions prescribed by Vietnam's immigration regulations.

Vietnam student visa (DH)

The Vietnam Student Visa, identified by the DH code, is intended for foreign nationals entering Vietnam to study or undertake qualifying internship or training activities. The DH visa is suitable for foreign nationals who have been accepted by an eligible Vietnamese educational institution or organization for a qualifying study or training program.

A DH visa can be issued for up to 1 year. If the study program continues beyond the visa's validity, the foreign national may need to apply for the appropriate extension or new visa.

Requirements

Applicants generally need:

• A valid passport
• An acceptance or admission letter from the Vietnamese educational institution
• Sponsorship documents from the relevant Vietnamese organization
• Visa application forms
• Other supporting documents requested by the immigration authorities

How to apply

The Vietnamese educational institution or eligible organization normally sponsors the foreign student's immigration application.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, the visa procedure may be arranged before entering Vietnam or after the applicant has lawfully entered Vietnam. A student does not necessarily have to enter Vietnam first on a tourist visa before applying for a DH visa.

Fee

The government visa fee ranges from $25 to $165, depending on the number of entries and validity.

Additional service fees may apply if the application is processed through a visa agency.

Important notes

The DH visa is intended for study and qualifying training activities. If the foreign student also plans to work in Vietnam, separate work authorization requirements may apply.

Related blog post: Vietnam Police Check Service: Quick Guide

Can I get my visa urgently in 1-2 days?

When a trip is coming up soon, waiting several business days for visa processing may not be an option. Most Vietnam e-visa-eligible purposes can be processed on an urgent basis, with same-day or 1–2 hour options available for travelers facing imminent departure.

Please refer to the table below for detailed emergent processing fee

If your flight is departing soon, contacting our team as early as possible allows us to identify the appropriate visa route and the fastest available processing option.

Check Vietnam visa requirements by nationality:

There is a common, and short, checklist of what you need in order to apply for a Vietnam visa. This list applies for all passport-holders whose countries do not have visa exemption agreement with Vietnam. If you apply for special visa type (other than the tourist visa), additional documents may be required.

This is a list of the mandatory documents required for a Vietnam visitor visa (tourist visa):