Lawyers visa (LS visa) for foreigners stay in Vietnam

According to the regulations of the Government of Vietnam, foreign lawyers who are licensed to practice in Vietnam by the Ministry of Justice can carry out procedures for applying for a Lawyers visa (LS visa). For detailed information on application conditions and procedures, please follow below:

>> For a Lawyers visa procedure, please contact Nhi Gia via the hotline at [+84] 1900 6654, a visa specialist with nearly 20 years of experience will advise and support each specific case.

What is a lawyers visa for (LS visa)?

Previously, according to Article 8, Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners, foreign lawyers will be granted a visa with the same DT symbol as a foreign investor.

Nowadays, there has been a change in the visa symbol for foreign lawyers. Accordingly, foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam will be granted a Vietnam LS visa (according to Clause 7, Article 7, Law No. 51/2019/QH14).

So, a Lawyers visa or LS visa is a type of visa for foreign lawyers who are licensed to practice in Vietnam.

Lawyer visas are granted to foreigners for a period not exceeding 5 years. In addition, when entering, foreigners will also be considered for a temporary residence card with the same symbol as the visa with a term of not more than 5 years.

Conditions to apply for LS visa

To apply for a Vietnam LS visa, a foreign lawyer needs to meet the following conditions:

1. Have a valid passport or international travel document.
2. There are agencies, organizations and individuals in Vietnam to invite or guarantee.
3. Not falling into the case of not allowing entry as prescribed in Article 21 of Law 47/2014/QH13.
4. Have a license to practice following the Law issued by the Ministry of Justice.

What are the documents required to apply for a Lawyers visa?

In order to apply for a Lawyers visa, agencies and organizations in Vietnam must carry out procedures for guaranteeing foreign lawyers at the immigration management agency. After being granted an approval entry letter, the applicant can continue to apply for a new Lawyers visa procedure.

Approval Entry Letter application includes:

1. Passport of the applicants
2. Approval Entry Letter application for foreigners entering Vietnam - NA2 form;
3. Application for registration of specimen seal and signature for the first time at the Immigration Office - NA16 Form;
4. A certified copy of the license or decision of competent authority on the establishment of the organization;
5. Law practice license of foreigners in Vietnam granted by the Ministry of Justice;
6. And some other related documents at the request of the competent authority.

After receiving the approval entry letter from the immigration authority. The guarantor company shall notify the foreign lawyer to carry out the procedures to get the visa at a competent Vietnamese visa agency in foreign country or at an international border gate.

Documents to apply for a lawyer visa (LS visa) includes:

1. Application form for visa - NA1 Form;
2. Original passport valid for 1 month longer than the intended visa validity;
3. 02 4x6cm white background photos taken within 6 months;
4. Copy of Approval Entry.

>> In addition to the visa application procedure, foreign lawyers can also apply for a Temporary Residence Card under the LS category to stay and work longer in Vietnam. For more details about the process and procedures of a Vietnam LS visa as well as a temporary residence card. Please contact the hotline at [+84] 1900 6654!

Fees for applying for a lawyer visa for foreigners

Depending on the time and number of entries, there will be different fees. Below are the basic fees specified in the latest Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC in the field of entry/exit, transit and residence in Vietnam of the Ministry of Finance:                                   

• Single entry visa: 25 USD/pcs
• Visa types with validity of no more than 03 months: 50 USD/pcs
• Visa types with validity from more than 03 to 06 months: 95 USD/pcs
• Visa types with validity from more than 06 months to 12 months: 135 USD/pcs
• Visa types with validity from 12 months to 02 years: 145 USD/pcs
• Visa types with validity from over 02 years to 05 years: 155 USD/pcs

Note: The above is only the visa stamping fee, not including the service fee of the agency that supports the application for the approval entry letter as well as the fees incurred during the preparation of the documents.

>> For the most accurate Vietnam LS visa fee, please contact Nhi Gia via the hotline at [+84] 1900 6654!

Vietnam visa processing time with symbol LS

The processing time for Vietnam LS visa is about 05 working days from the date of receipt of documents (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). In special cases, the LS visa processing time may take longer than expected.

>> In case you need urgent assistance in applying for a visa, please contact [+84] 1900 6654 for instructions on how to apply.

Unit offers LS visa application services for foreign lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City

To have a complete application for Vietnam LS visa, applicants need to understand the legal requirements as well as keep up to date with the regular changes in the application procedures of the Vietnam Immigration Department.

In order to reduce difficulties in the process of preparing visa applications for foreigners entering Vietnam, Nhi Gia supports a concurrent service

• Free consultation 24/7 for each specific case in accordance with current law
• Handle difficult and urgent documents according to customer requirements
• Support customers to complete the entire application process for the approval entry letter + LS visa
• Support to arrange documents
• Support to pick up and guide customers to enter customs
• Support accompanying services for foreigners: Air ticket booking, Notarized Translation, Temporary Residence Card, Work Permit, Marriage Registration and so on.

To get a LS visa application package or need to use a package visa service - fast - at a reasonable cost in Nhi Gia. Please contact us through the information below:

• Office’s address: 186 - 188 Nguyen Duy, Ward 9, District 8, HCMC
• Hotline: [+84] 1900 6654 - [+84] 906 736 788
• Email: info@nhigia.vn