Free Guide to Understanding Vietnam Visa Requirements

What You Need to Know About Vietnam's Visa System

Vietnam requires most foreign visitors to obtain a visa before entering the country. Understanding how the visa system works is the first step in planning a trip or move to Vietnam. The Vietnamese government issues several different types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit, and each has different requirements, costs, and validity periods.

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The visa system in Vietnam operates through the Ministry of Public Security and is administered by immigration offices throughout the country. As of 2024, Vietnam issues visas at its embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as through the immigration office at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The process and requirements vary based on your nationality, the type of visa you need, and where you apply.

Vietnam's visa categories fall into several main groups: tourist visas for short-term leisure travel, business visas for work-related visits, temporary residence cards for longer stays, and other specialized categories for specific purposes. A tourist visiting Vietnam for two weeks typically needs a different visa than a person relocating there to work for a corporation. Understanding which category applies to your situation is essential before gathering documents or paying fees.

Visa costs range significantly depending on type and processing time. A standard tourist visa processed through normal channels might cost between $25 and $100 USD, while expedited processing can cost $200 or more. Business visas and residence permits have different fee structures. Processing times also vary: some visas process in one business day, while others may take weeks.

One important thing to note is that visa requirements and procedures change periodically. Vietnam's government updates its immigration policies, and fees or requirements that were valid last year may differ now. Before making any final plans, you should verify current requirements through official Vietnamese government sources or official embassies and consulates in your country.

Takeaway: Vietnam requires most visitors to obtain a visa. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and length of your stay. Check official sources for the most current requirements before planning your trip.

Tourist Visas: Duration, Requirements, and Processing Options

Tourist visas are the most common type issued by Vietnam for people planning short-term leisure travel. They are designed for visitors who want to see the country's attractions, experience its culture, and travel without working or conducting business. As of current regulations, Vietnam issues tourist visas with varying validity periods, most commonly 30 days, 90 days, and one year, though the most popular choice remains the 30-day single-entry tourist visa.

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A 30-day tourist visa typically allows you to stay in Vietnam for one month from your date of entry. A 90-day visa permits a stay of three months. It's important to understand the difference between the visa's "validity" (how long it remains valid before use) and "duration of stay" (how long you can remain in the country once you enter). Some tourist visas remain valid for three months before you must use them to enter Vietnam, while you have 30 days once inside the country.

To obtain a tourist visa, you generally need the following documents: a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a completed visa application form, a passport-sized photograph, and proof of payment. Some processing locations may request additional documents such as proof of accommodation or return ticket information, though this is not consistently required across all consulates. Requirements can differ based on which Vietnamese embassy or consulate you visit and your nationality.

Vietnam offers several processing options for tourist visas, each with different costs and timelines. Standard processing typically takes five to seven business days and costs $25 to $50 USD. Express processing completes in two to three business days for $75 to $100 USD. Some consulates offer rush service completing in one business day for $150 to $200 USD. Online visa agencies, which are private third-party services that work with the Vietnamese government, offer additional options ranging from standard to expedited processing with varying fees.

The visa application form required is called the TM.01 form. You can obtain this form from the website of the Vietnamese embassy or consulate where you plan to submit it, or from visa service websites. The form asks for basic biographical information, passport details, intended dates of travel, and your contact information. Most forms now accept online submission, though some locations still require printed copies with original signatures.

Takeaway: Tourist visas are straightforward for short visits. A 30-day visa is standard and costs $25 to $50 with regular processing. You need a valid passport, completed form, photo, and payment. Choose your processing speed based on how soon you need to travel.

Business Visas and Work-Related Travel to Vietnam

Business visas are issued to people who need to conduct business activities in Vietnam. This includes attending meetings, negotiating contracts, visiting company offices, or attending conferences and professional events. Business visas differ from tourist visas in their requirements, duration options, and how they are processed. Unlike tourist visas, business travel to Vietnam often requires additional documentation from your employer or business contacts in Vietnam.

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A business visa typically requires a letter of invitation from a Vietnamese company or organization. This letter, called a "letter of invitation" or "business introduction letter," is requested from the company you plan to visit. The letter should state the purpose of your visit, the dates you plan to be in Vietnam, and acknowledge that the company is inviting you. The company's representative signs the letter and sometimes attaches the company's official seal or stamp. Without this letter, many consulates will not process a business visa application.

To obtain a business visa, you need the following documentation: a valid passport, a completed TM.01 application form (the same form used for tourist visas), a passport-sized photograph, proof of payment, and the invitation letter from the Vietnamese company. Some consulates may request additional documents such as a letter from your employer confirming your employment, proof of financial means, or details about your professional background. Requirements vary between consulates.

Business visas are issued in various validity periods: 30-day, 90-day, and one-year options are most common. Multiple-entry business visas are also available, allowing you to leave and re-enter Vietnam multiple times within the visa's validity period. A 30-day single-entry business visa typically costs $50 to $100 USD, while multi-entry business visas and longer-validity visas cost $150 to $300 USD or more. Processing typically takes five to seven business days through standard channels.

It's important to note that a business visa permits you to conduct business activities, but does not give you the right to work in Vietnam or receive employment income from a Vietnamese employer. If you are being hired by a Vietnamese company as an employee, you need different documents: an employment contract and a work permit. Business visas are for temporary business visits, not employment. Attempting to work on a business visa without proper employment authorization can result in fines or deportation.

Takeaway: Business visas require an invitation letter from a Vietnamese company. They cost more than tourist visas ($50 to $300 USD) and take longer to process. This visa is for business visits, not employment. If you're moving to work, you need a work permit, not a business visa.

Extended Stays: Temporary Residence Cards and Long-Term Visas

For people planning to stay in Vietnam longer than a few months, temporary residence cards and long-term visas become relevant. These are not tourist visas but formal residency documents that permit stays of six months, one year, or multiple years. Temporary residence cards are issued directly by Vietnamese immigration offices inside Vietnam, rather than by embassies abroad. They are the primary method for legal long-term residence in Vietnam.

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A temporary residence card is a physical card issued by the immigration department of the province where you reside in Vietnam. To obtain one, you must first enter Vietnam on a valid visa (such as a tourist visa), then apply at your local immigration office. You cannot apply for a temporary residence card from outside Vietnam. The process begins after you arrive in the country, making it a multi-step procedure that takes time to complete.

To begin the process for a temporary residence card, you typically need to submit these documents to your provincial immigration office: your passport, a completed application form (Form TM.04), proof of accommodation in Vietnam (a rental agreement or property ownership document), a passport-sized photograph, proof of financial resources, a medical certificate showing you are free from certain communicable diseases, and documents explaining the purpose of your stay