A Vietnam business visa is issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam to work with legally established enterprises or organizations, offer services, establish a commercial presence or carry out commercial activities in accordance with treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
At present, Vietnam business visas are commonly known under the DN1 and DN2 visa categories. These are commonly used for experts, partners, suppliers, clients, managers, short-term business travelers and foreign nationals entering Vietnam under the invitation or sponsorship of a company or organization in Vietnam.
This article provides updated information on Vietnam business visas in 2026, including what DN1 and DN2 visas are, eligible applicants, visa validity, requirements, documents, entry approval procedures, visa fees and key notes when sponsoring foreign nationals to enter Vietnam for business purposes.
What is a Vietnam business visa?
A Vietnam business visa, also referred to as a Vietnam enterprise visa or business travel visa, is a visa issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam for commercial purposes, working with enterprises or organizations, or carrying out activities related to services, business cooperation, contracts, market research, meetings, negotiations or other suitable commercial activities.
Under current regulations, Vietnam business visas include two main categories:
- DN1 visa;
- DN2 visa.
Identifying the correct visa category from the beginning helps both the sponsoring company and the foreign national prepare documents suitable for the entry purpose and avoid issues when applying for entry approval, collecting the visa, extending temporary stay or changing to another suitable residence category.
What is a DN1 visa?
A DN1 visa is issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam to work with enterprises or organizations that have legal entity status under Vietnamese law.
The DN1 visa is commonly suitable for:
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to work with Vietnamese enterprises;
- Experts, partners, clients or suppliers entering Vietnam under an invitation from a company;
- Foreign nationals attending meetings, signing contracts, conducting market research or working with partners in Vietnam;
- Foreign employees or representatives entering Vietnam for short-term business assignments;
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to prepare labor, investment or other legal procedures under the sponsoring company’s plan.
A DN1 visa is not a work permit. If the foreign national will work in Vietnam under an employment relationship or falls under a work permit requirement, the company should complete the work permit or work permit exemption confirmation procedure in accordance with applicable regulations.
What is a DN2 visa?
A DN2 visa is 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 DN2 visa is commonly suitable for:
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to offer services;
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to prepare for the establishment of a commercial presence;
- Foreign nationals carrying out commercial activities under Vietnam’s international commitments;
- Representatives of foreign enterprises or organizations planning trade promotion or expansion activities in Vietnam;
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam for commercial purposes that do not fall under the standard DN1 situation.
Choosing between DN1 and DN2 should be based on the entry purpose, inviting or sponsoring entity and supporting documents for the intended activities in Vietnam.
Difference between DN1 and DN2 visas
| Criteria | DN1 visa | DN2 visa |
| Main applicants | Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to work with legally established enterprises or organizations | Foreign nationals entering Vietnam to offer services, establish commercial presence or carry out treaty-based commercial activities |
| Related entity | Enterprise or organization in Vietnam inviting or sponsoring the applicant | Enterprise, organization or commercial activity suitable for DN2 purpose |
| Common purpose | Business trips, meetings, contract signing, partner visits, market research | Service offering, preparation of commercial presence, treaty-based commercial activity |
| Application nature | Linked to a sponsoring enterprise or organization in Vietnam | Linked to a specific commercial purpose and suitable supporting documents |
| Visa validity | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months |
If the company is unsure whether the foreign national should apply for a DN1 or DN2 visa, the entry purpose, intended activities in Vietnam and supporting documents should be reviewed before submission.
How long is a Vietnam business visa valid?
DN1 and DN2 visas are valid for up to 12 months. The actual validity granted depends on:
- Entry purpose;
- Passport validity;
- Applicant’s documents;
- Sponsoring company or organization’s documents;
- Single-entry or multiple-entry visa type;
- Intended stay period in Vietnam;
- Decision of the competent authority.
As a general rule, visa validity must be at least 30 days shorter than the validity of the passport or international travel document. Therefore, foreign nationals should check passport validity before applying for a Vietnam business visa.
Common Vietnam business visa types include:
- 1-month single-entry visa;
- 3-month single-entry visa;
- 1-month multiple-entry visa;
- 3-month multiple-entry visa;
- Multiple-entry visa valid for more than 3 months up to 6 months;
- Multiple-entry visa valid for more than 6 months up to 12 months.
Depending on the case, foreign nationals may also consider a Vietnam e-Visa if the purpose and stay period are suitable.
Vietnam business visa vs. Vietnam e-Visa
A Vietnam e-Visa is issued by the Immigration Department through the electronic transaction system. Vietnam e-Visas are valid for up to 90 days and may be issued for single or multiple entries.
For certain short-term business trips, foreign nationals may consider an e-Visa if they meet the conditions and do not require company sponsorship through an entry approval letter. However, where clear company sponsorship is needed, where a DN1/DN2 visa is required, or where the applicant needs post-entry procedures such as labor documents, temporary residence cards or temporary stay extension, the suitable option should be reviewed carefully.
In simple terms:
- An e-Visa may be suitable for certain short-term entries with simpler applications where the foreign national is outside Vietnam;
- DN1/DN2 visas are suitable where an enterprise or organization in Vietnam invites or sponsors the foreign national and the business purpose needs to be clearly reflected.
The choice between e-Visa and DN1/DN2 should be based on nationality, entry purpose, stay period, business plan in Vietnam and post-entry documentation requirements.
Visa exemption when entering Vietnam
Some foreign nationals may be exempt from visa requirements when entering Vietnam if they fall under a visa exemption policy by nationality, status or applicable program.
Vietnam currently has several visa exemption policies, such as:
- Unilateral visa exemption for citizens of certain countries with a temporary stay period of 45 days under current regulations;
- Bilateral visa exemption for citizens of certain ASEAN countries with corresponding stay periods;
- Visa exemption under tourism stimulation programs for certain European countries during applicable periods;
- Visa exemption for valid APEC Business Travel Card holders where Vietnam is listed as a destination;
- Other visa exemption cases under international treaties or specific regulations.
For business purposes, companies should not rely solely on nationality-based visa exemption. It is important to consider the stay period, nature of work in Vietnam, extension possibility, partner requirements, work permit requirements and any post-entry residence documents.
If the foreign national needs to work with a company in Vietnam for a longer period or requires clear company sponsorship, a DN1 or DN2 visa should be considered.
Requirements for Vietnam DN1 and DN2 business visas
To apply for a Vietnam business visa, the foreign national generally needs to meet the following requirements:
- Holding a valid passport or international travel document;
- Having an entry purpose suitable for DN1 or DN2 visa;
- Having an enterprise or organization in Vietnam as the inviting or sponsoring entity;
- Not falling under cases of prohibited entry into Vietnam;
- Providing documents proving the entry purpose where required;
- The sponsoring enterprise or organization meets legal conditions and has suitable documents to carry out the procedure.
For the sponsoring company, legal entity information, specimen signature and seal, authorized representative and invitation content should be prepared accurately to avoid delays in processing.
Documents for Vietnam business entry approval
For a foreign national to obtain a Vietnam business visa under the DN1 or DN2 category, the sponsoring company usually needs to apply for an entry approval letter or entry approval document first.
The application commonly includes the following document groups.
Documents of the sponsoring enterprise or organization
- Enterprise registration certificate or equivalent legal document;
- Specimen seal and signature registration documents if applying for the first time or if there is a change;
- Letter of introduction for the person submitting or handling the application;
- Explanation of the invitation or sponsorship purpose if required;
- Documents proving the commercial relationship, working content or business schedule if requested.
Documents of the foreign national
- Scanned copy of a valid passport;
- Nationality information;
- Intended entry date;
- Intended stay period;
- Visa collection location;
- Intended port of entry;
- Entry purpose;
- Business itinerary in Vietnam, if available;
- Intended accommodation information in Vietnam.
Common forms and templates
Depending on the submission method and case, the sponsoring company may need to prepare:
- Form NA2 for requesting entry approval and personnel clearance for foreign nationals entering Vietnam;
- Form NA16 for registration of specimen seal and signature of the inviting or sponsoring enterprise or organization, where applicable;
- Letter of introduction;
- Explanation letter or additional documents upon request.
Actual document requirements may vary depending on the foreign national’s nationality, visa collection location, entry purpose, sponsoring company status and requirements of the receiving authority.
Vietnam business visa application process
The Vietnam business visa process generally includes the following steps.
Step 1: Check entry conditions and visa purpose
The company and foreign national should confirm whether the applicant needs a visa or may enter under visa exemption, e-Visa or DN1/DN2 visa.
If the purpose is to work with a company or organization in Vietnam, sign contracts, conduct market research or travel for business under an invitation, DN1 should be considered. If the purpose is to offer services, establish a commercial presence or conduct treaty-based commercial activities, DN2 should be considered.
Step 2: Prepare sponsorship documents
The sponsoring company prepares legal documents, foreign applicant information, entry request forms and supporting documents proving the invitation purpose if required.
Passport information, forms, entry schedule and visa collection location must be consistent.
Step 3: Submit the entry approval application
The company submits the application to the competent immigration authority or through the electronic transaction system if eligible.
After receiving the application, the competent authority reviews the documents and issues the result according to regulations.
Step 4: Send the entry approval to the foreign national
Once the entry approval is issued, the company sends a scanned copy or approval information to the foreign national for visa collection preparation.
The foreign national should carefully check the approval information, including full name, passport number, nationality, entry date, visa collection location, visa type and visa validity.
Step 5: Collect the Vietnam business visa
The foreign national may collect the visa at:
- A Vietnamese overseas mission;
- An eligible international border gate if the approval allows;
- An electronic method or other applicable method according to the approval and current regulations.
When collecting the visa, the foreign national should prepare the passport, photo, application form, entry approval and required fee according to the visa issuing location.
Step 6: Enter Vietnam and complete temporary residence declaration
After entering Vietnam, the foreign national must stay in Vietnam for the granted visa purpose and complete temporary residence declaration according to regulations. The sponsoring company should monitor visa validity, work schedule, accommodation address and any post-entry procedures if the foreign national continues staying in Vietnam.
Where to submit a Vietnam business visa application
Depending on the case, Vietnam business visa procedures may be handled through:
- The Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security;
- Provincial-level Immigration Offices where relevant;
- The immigration e-transaction portal where applicable;
- Vietnamese overseas missions where the visa is collected abroad;
- International border gates if visa collection at the border gate is approved.
The company should determine the correct submission and visa collection location from the beginning to avoid incorrect information in the entry approval.
Vietnam business visa processing time
Processing time for business entry approval or Vietnam business visa applications depends on the application type, applicant’s nationality, sponsoring company status, visa collection location and verification requirements of the competent authority.
In many cases, applications sponsored by enterprises or organizations in Vietnam may be reviewed within several working days after a complete and valid application is received. Some applications may take longer if additional documents, verification or case-specific review is required.
For business delegations, experts, partners or clients with fixed travel schedules, companies should prepare the application early.
Vietnam business visa fees
Vietnam visa fees depend on visa validity and number of entries.
Reference fees under the current fee schedule include:
- Single-entry visa: USD 25;
- Multiple-entry visa valid for up to 90 days: USD 50;
- Multiple-entry visa valid for more than 90 days up to 180 days: USD 95;
- Multiple-entry visa valid for more than 180 days up to 1 year: USD 135.
For Vietnam e-Visas, the current fees on the official e-Visa portal are:
- USD 25 for a single-entry e-Visa;
- USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-Visa.
In addition to official fees, foreign nationals or sponsoring companies may incur other costs such as translation, notarization, document preparation, courier, service support, air tickets, accommodation or post-entry procedure costs.
How to extend a Vietnam business visa
When a Vietnam business visa is close to expiry but the foreign national still needs to stay in Vietnam for the same lawful purpose, the sponsoring company may consider temporary stay extension or new visa issuance according to regulations.
The application usually includes:
- Original passport of the foreign national;
- Application form for visa issuance, amendment, supplementation or temporary stay extension under the appropriate template;
- Legal documents of the sponsoring company;
- Documents proving the continued stay purpose;
- Temporary residence declaration information;
- Other documents depending on the case.
The extension or new visa period depends on the visa category, stay purpose, sponsorship documents, passport validity and decision of the competent authority.
If the foreign national is expected to work in Vietnam for a longer period, the company should also review work permit, work permit exemption confirmation, LĐ1/LĐ2 work visa or suitable temporary residence card procedures.
Can a Vietnam business visa be changed to a work visa?
A foreign national entering Vietnam under a DN1 or DN2 visa may need to change to a more suitable status if they will work long-term in Vietnam.
If the foreign national works under an employment contract, is internally transferred, or is a specialist, manager, executive director or technical worker, the company should review work permit or work permit exemption requirements.
After the appropriate labor documents are obtained, the foreign national may be considered for an LĐ1 or LĐ2 work visa or temporary residence card, depending on the case.
Companies should not use a business visa as a substitute for a work permit or work visa where the foreign national is working long-term in Vietnam.
Common mistakes in Vietnam business visa applications
A Vietnam business visa application may face issues if:
- The DN1 or DN2 category is selected incorrectly;
- The entry purpose is inconsistent with the sponsorship documents;
- The sponsoring company has not registered specimen seal and signature where required;
- The foreign national’s passport is close to expiry;
- Full name, passport number, nationality or date of birth is incorrect;
- The visa collection location is selected incorrectly;
- The commercial or business relationship with the sponsoring company is not clearly shown;
- Sponsoring company documents are incomplete;
- Visa validity is not monitored after entry;
- Temporary residence declaration is not completed properly;
- A business visa is used for long-term employment before labor documents are completed.
Reviewing the application before submission helps companies reduce supplementation requests and better plan the foreign national’s entry into Vietnam.
Nhi Gia’s Vietnam business visa consulting service
Vietnam business visas are important for companies inviting or sponsoring foreign nationals to enter Vietnam for business trips, partner meetings, contract signing, market research, service offering or other suitable commercial activities.
The application should be clear and consistent across the entry purpose, sponsoring company information, foreign national’s documents, visa collection location and stay plan in Vietnam.
With experience in Vietnam visas, entry approvals, work permits and temporary residence cards for foreigners, Nhi Gia supports businesses in reviewing requirements, preparing documents and monitoring procedures based on each specific case.
Nhi Gia supports clients with:
- Advising on DN1, DN2 or suitable entry options;
- Checking entry conditions for foreign nationals;
- Reviewing legal documents of the sponsoring company;
- Guiding preparation of Form NA2, Form NA16 and related documents;
- Supporting business entry approval applications;
- Advising on suitable visa collection location, visa validity and number of entries;
- Guiding visa collection at Vietnamese overseas missions or international border gates where applicable;
- Advising on temporary stay extension, new visa issuance or conversion to a suitable visa category;
- Supporting related procedures such as work permits, temporary residence cards, temporary residence declaration, consular legalization and certified translation.
For consultation on Vietnam business visas, DN1 visas, DN2 visas or sponsorship documents for foreign nationals entering Vietnam, please contact Nhi Gia for document review and suitable guidance.
