To work legally in Vietnam, foreigners must apply for Working visa which is issued by the Embassy of Vietnam in the foreign country or the Vietnam Immigration Department. Vietnam Working Visa is granted under two categories of having a work permit exemption certificate/or having a work permit, with the symbols LD1/LD2 respectively.
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What is Vietnam Working Visa? Objects to be granted
Vietnam Working Visa shall be granted for foreigners entering Vietnam for working purposes. This applies to applicants who are eligible for a Work Permit/or Work Permit Exemption Certificate under the provisions of the Vietnamese Labor Law.
Depending on each case, foreigners will receive Vietnam Working Visa with the symbol LD1 or LD2 (old symbols LD).
- LD1 visa: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam with a Certificate of Work Permit Exemption unless otherwise provided for in an international treaty to which Vietnam is a party.
- LD2 Visa: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are required to have a Work Permit.
The duration of Vietnam Working Visa is no more than 02 years. In case the validity of the Work Permit is less than 02 years, the duration of the Vietnam Working Visa for foreigners will be equal to the term of the Work Permit.
Conditions to apply for Vietnam Working Visa
- Have a valid passport or international travel document.
- Being invited or guaranteed by agencies, organizations, and individuals in Vietnam. Exception: the issuance of an E-visa at the request of a foreigner/at the request of an agency or organization; Or the issuance of a visa at a competent agency of Vietnam abroad which have capacity to grant a visa.
- Not subject to such cases being denied entry into Vietnam.
- Foreigners entering for working purposes must have a Work Permit (or Work Permit Exemption Certificate).
- E-visas are issued to foreigners who have valid passports and are not eligible for Diplomatic visas.
Procedure to apply for a Vietnam Working Visa
There are 2 simple ways to apply for a Working visa:
For oversea foreigner
Step 1: Prepare documents to apply for an Entry Approval Letter from Immigration Agency for a Working visa
- The original passport of the foreigner which is still valid.
- Certified copy of the foreigner’s Work Permit (for LD2 visa) or Work Permit Exemption Certificate (for LD1 visa).
- Business license of the guarantee company.
- NA2 form - Application for the Entry Approval Letter which allows foreigners to enter Vietnam.
- Other required documents according to the regulations of the Immigration Department
![NA2 form - Application for the Entry Approval Lette]()
Step 2: Submit documents and receive an appointment letter to receive the results
After finishing the documents preparation, you should come to Immigration management agency to submit all prepared documents and receive an appointment letter to receive the results.
In the case that receiving the visa at the Embassy/ Consular Generate of Vietnam in the foreign country, enterprises must pay an additional fee for Fax at the check-in counter.
Where to apply for an Entry Approval Letter for a working visa?
There are 2 agencies receive and process the application form for Vietnam visa by regions:
- In the North: submit at the Immigration Department in Hanoi, address 44 – 46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
- In the South: submit at the Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City, address 333 – 335 – 337 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Step 3: Get the result of the Entry Approval Letter for the Working visa
If the Entry Approval Letter is approved, the Immigration authorities will return the results to businesses and organizations within 5 - 7 days.
The Entry Approval Letter will specify the entry date and the place to receive the visa. Your job is to present on time to complete the procedures for Vietnam Working Visa issuance.
Step 4: Notices to the foreigner
After organizations obtain important documents from the Immigration Department that allow foreigners to work in Vietnam, they will give notice to the foreigners. The enterprise will send the Entry Approval Letter to foreigners via mail or express delivery so that they may carry out the procedures to receive visas at the Embassy/ Consular Generate or the airport.
Step 5: Receive visa and pay the fee
This is the last step for you to get the Working visa. After having the Entry Approval Letter, you should check the place to receive the visa and the time carefully.
Usually, there are 2 places where you can receive visa:
- At the Vietnam international airport
- At the Embassy/ Consular Generate
After arriving at one of two places mentioned above, you have to fill in the NA1 form and prepare a 4x6cm photo along with the original passport and a duplicate of the Entry Approval Letter. Finally, pay the visa fee and get a visa to Vietnam.
For foreigners living in Vietnam
Step 1: Prepare the documents to renew the Working visa in Vietnam
For details on required documents to renew the Vietnam visa, please visit: Vietnam visa extension (nhigia.vn).
Step 2: Submit documents and receive an appointment letter to receive the results
After finishing the documents preparation, you should come to Immigration management agency to submit all prepared documents and receive an appointment letter to receive the results.
For the state fees, please refer to the article: State fees for the type of visas. (https://nhigia.vn/cam-nang-dich-vu/le-phi-nha-nuoc-cho-cac-loai-visa-thi-thuc)
Where to apply for the Working visa?
Similar to the case of applying for an Entry Approval Letter, you can submit it to the Immigration Department that manages the region where the guarantee company is operating.
Step 3: Get the result about the Working visa
If the Working visa is approved, the Immigration authorities will return the results to businesses and organizations in no more than 5 days.
After receiving the result, you should check the visa information and respond to the staff if there is any error.
The visa will specify the term of the visa validity as well as the holder’s personal information.
How long does it take to apply for a Working Visa?
Normally, it takes no more than 5 working days applying for a Working visa. However, the Immigration Department will consider your application based on the documents provided and nationality of the applicants to decide whether or not they approve to grant the Entry Approval Letter or Working visa.
Notice: The processing time does not include Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
Working visa application fees
Fees for applying a Working visa will be collected according to the following table prescribed by the Immigration Department. However, if you receive your visa at the Embassy/ Consular Generate, the fees will depend on the policy of each specific place. You should consult about such fees in advance at the place you want to receive the visa.
Below is the fees to apply for the Working visa:
| Type of visa | Mandatory Fee |
| Single entry visa: 1-month single entry visa, 3-month single entry visa | 25 USD |
| Multiple entry visa: | |
| Visa types with validity of no more than 03 months | 50 USD |
| Visa types with validity from more than 03 to 06 months (over 3 - 6 months multiple entry visa) | 95 USD |
| Visa types with validity from more than 06 months to 12 months | 135 USD |
| Visa types with validity from 12 months to 02 years (1 - 2 years multiple entry visa) | 145 USD |
Validity of the Working visa
LD1, LD2 visa has a validity of no more than 2 years (as prescribed by laws). However, with the visa to be directly stuck on the passport, the validity will normally be maximum of 01 year only. If foreigner wants to work for a long-term in Vietnam, they may apply for the Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
*Regulations on temporary stay for people who have a Working visa: Foreigners with LD1, LD2 visas will be considered to issue the Temporary Residence Card with the same symbol as the visa. For cases of having a Working visa, Temporary Residence Card shall be granted with validity of no more than 12 months and the holder may be considered to issue a TRC with validity of no more than 02 years.
Is Nhi Gia applying for a Working visa faster?
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