Vietnam Visa Types

Before traveling to Vietnam, it's important to understand Vietnam visa types. If you need a visa, it's essential to choose the right type based on the purpose and duration of your trip. This will help you avoid any complications, save time, and reduce costs. In this guide, we will walk you through the different types of Vietnam visas to help you make the right choice.

Vietnam visas are typically categorized based on two factors:

1. The purpose of your visit
2. The validity of the visa

Visa Type	Description	Validity
LV1-LV2	For individuals working with Vietnamese authorities or organizations	Up to 12 months
LS	Lawyer visa	Up to 5 years
NN1	Members of delegations invited by high-ranking Vietnamese officials, such as the Secretary-General of the Communist Party, President, National Assembly, or Prime Minister	Up to 12 months
NN2	Delegation members invited by senior officials, including Deputy President, Deputy Prime Minister, and various high-ranking positions across the country	Up to 12 months
NN3	Members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and international organizations affiliated with the UN, along with their families	Up to 12 months
NN4	Individuals coming to work with diplomatic missions or international organizations, along with their spouses, children under 18, and visitors of these members	Up to 12 months
HN	For participants attending meetings or conferences in Vietnam	Up to 12 months
DH	Student or internship visa	Up to 12 months
PV1	Journalists with permanent residence in Vietnam	Up to 12 months
PV2	Journalists with short-term residence in Vietnam	Up to 12 months
TT	For dependents of certain visa holders (e.g., LV1, LV2, DT, DH, and Vietnamese citizens' immediate family members)	Up to 12 months
VR	For family visits or other purposes	Up to 6 months
SQ	For specific purposes outlined in Vietnam’s immigration law	Up to 6 months
EV	Electronic visa (evisa)	Maximum 30 days

1. Tourist visa

The Vietnam Tourist visa (DL) is the most common visa for travelers visiting the country. With this visa, you can stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days, either with single or multiple entries, and it can be extended beyond the original duration.

There are four options for applying for a Tourist visa:

1. Visa on Arrival
   For those flying to Vietnam, applying for a Visa on Arrival is a simple and convenient option. Here's how you can do it:

• Apply for an approval letter online at least 3-5 days before your flight through Urgent Visa to Vietnam.
• Once you receive the approval letter, print it out.
• Upon arrival at the Vietnam airport, present the approval letter, two passport-sized photos, and your valid passport at the immigration counter to get your visa stamped.
• The stamping fee ranges from USD 25 to USD 50, depending on the number of entries. Payment must be made in cash.

2. Visa at the Embassy
   If you're located near a Vietnamese embassy, you can apply for your visa directly there. The required documents and fees may vary depending on the embassy.

3. E-visa
   You can apply for an E-visa for a stay of up to 90 days with either single or multiple entries. Here's how:

• Visit the Vietnam National Immigration Portal to start the application process.
• Upload your passport scan and passport-sized photo, then fill in the required details.
• Pay the application fee and save the registration code for reference.
• You can check the status of your application by visiting the status page.
• Once approved, you can download and print your E-visa to use for your travel to Vietnam.

If you prefer to save time, consider having a travel agency process the visa on your behalf for an additional service fee. You can apply for an E-visa online through Urgent Visa to Vietnam

2. Business visa

If you're traveling to Vietnam for business, the ideal visa is the Business visa, categorized as DN1 and DN2. The DN1 visa is issued if you're visiting to collaborate with a legally registered company or organization in Vietnam. The DN2 visa, on the other hand, is for those providing goods or services in Vietnam through a commercial presence.

There are several options for the Vietnam Business visa, depending on the duration and number of entries you need:

• Single entry for 1 month
• Multiple entries for 1 month
• Single entry for 3 months
• Multiple entries for 3 months

The length of your stay in Vietnam plays a role in the process of obtaining your Business visa, with shorter stays typically being easier to arrange.

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

Visa on arrival

Similar to the Tourist visa, you can also obtain a Business visa upon arrival at an international airport in Vietnam. Here's how to apply:

1. Apply online for an approval letter at least 3-5 days before your departure by contacting [email protected].
2. Once you receive the approval letter, print it out.
3. Upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam, present the approval letter, two passport-sized photos, and your valid passport to have your visa stamped.
4. The stamping fee, payable in cash, ranges from USD 25 to USD 50, depending on the duration and number of entries granted for your visa.

Visa at embassy

Alternatively, you can visit an Embassy or Consulate and follow their instructions to submit your application. The fees may vary depending on the location.

EVisa at Vietnam Immigration Portal

Please Visit the Vietnam National Immigration Portal to start the application process.

3. Work visa

The Labor visa is intended for foreign workers employed by companies in Vietnam. It is valid for up to 1 year and can be extended for up to 10 years once you obtain an LD temporary residence card.

There are two types of Labor visas: LD1 and LD2. If you hold a work permit exemption certificate, you can apply for an LD1 visa. Otherwise, you will need to provide a work permit to qualify for an LD2 visa.

To apply for a Labor visa, your employer in Vietnam must first secure an LD visa approval letter on your behalf. Depending on the approval letter type, you can either apply for the visa at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate or obtain it upon arrival in Vietnam. Both visa approval and stamping fees will apply.

To be eligible for a Labor visa, you must have at least 3 years of experience in an executive or senior role, a valid work contract, and proof that the employer has made efforts to recruit locally (e.g., through job ads) without success.

If you do not have a work permit or exemption certificate, you may want to apply for a Business visa first. Once your work permit is issued, you can then apply for the Labor visa.

4. Investor Visa

The Vietnam Investor visa, categorized as DT, is designed for foreign nationals who wish to invest in a business in Vietnam. There are four types of Investor visas based on the capital contribution and the visa's validity:

• DT1 Visa: For investors contributing at least VND 100 billion (~USD 4.25 million), valid for 10 years.
• DT2 Visa: For investors contributing between VND 50 billion and VND 100 billion (~USD 2.13 million to USD 4.25 million), valid for 5 years.
• DT3 Visa: For investors contributing between VND 3 billion and VND 50 billion (~USD 127,605 to USD 2.13 million), valid for 3 years.
• DT4 Visa: For investors contributing up to VND 3 billion (~USD 127,605), valid for 1 year.

The DT1, DT2, and DT3 visas are extendable through a temporary residence card.

To apply for an Investor visa, make sure you have the following documents before traveling to Vietnam:

1. A valid passport.
2. A Visa Approval Letter (requires preparation in advance).
3. Certified copy of the Enterprise or Investment Registration Certificate for the Vietnam-based business you are investing in.
4. Temporary residence form.
5. Form NA16.
6. Form NA5.
7. Form NA2 with a barcode.

The process for obtaining the approval letter typically takes about 5 working days. Once you have received the approval, you have two options to apply for your Investor visa:

Option 1: If you prefer to apply at the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate, bring the approval letter, two passport-sized photos (4x6 cm), your passport, and Form NA5. Submit your documents as scheduled to obtain your visa.

Option 2: If you opt for Visa on Arrival, present the approval letter, passport-sized photos, passport, and Form NA1 when you arrive at the airport. The visa stamping fee will range from USD 25 to USD 50, depending on the number of entries and the visa validity.

5. Visa for Visiting Family (Dependant visa)

The Vietnam Dependent visa (TT) is intended for foreign nationals who wish to visit their Vietnamese relatives and stay in the country for up to 12 months. You may qualify for this visa if your spouse, parent, or child is a Vietnamese citizen. If your relative holds a foreign visa, such as LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1, or LD2, your TT visa will be valid for a period that is 30 days shorter than their visa’s validity.

For applicants over 18 years old with a foreign sponsor, the TT visa is typically valid for up to 6 months. If you wish to extend your stay in Vietnam beyond the expiration of your TT visa, you may apply for a Dependent Residence Card.

Your Vietnamese relative will primarily handle the visa application process. They will need to prepare the following documents:

• If you haven't yet arrived in Vietnam:
  • Form NA3 (for entry permit as a dependent).
  • A certified copy of your relative's ID card and household registration book.
  • Documents proving your legal relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate).
• If you are already in Vietnam:
  • Form NA5 (for visa application/extension).
  • Your original passport (if you are already in Vietnam).
  • Your relative's passport and visa/residence card.
  • Documents proving your legal relationship.
  • A letter of introduction from your relative requesting to process your visa application at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Once these documents are submitted to the Immigration Office in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it usually takes about 5 business days to process your visa application.

6. Student visa

The Vietnam Student visa (DH) is designed for foreign nationals who wish to study in Vietnam. This visa typically lasts for up to 12 months, but it is usually valid for a period that is 30 days shorter than your passport’s expiration date. It can be extended for an additional year if needed.

Student visas are generally applied for after arriving in Vietnam. You can enter the country on a Tourist visa, enroll in your chosen course, and then apply for a visa status change with the Vietnam Immigration Department. To apply, you’ll need a valid passport, a letter of acceptance from your school, and a Vietnamese organization to act as your guarantor. The visa fee ranges from USD 35 to USD 145, depending on the length of stay and number of entries. If you plan on traveling frequently between your home country and Vietnam, a multiple-entry visa would be more suitable.

For convenience, it may be easier to work with a visa agency to handle your application. The processing time and service fees will vary depending on the agency.