Entry Approval Letter for Foreigners Entering Vietnam
What Is an Entry Approval Letter for Foreigners Entering Vietnam?
An entry approval letter for foreigners entering Vietnam, also known as a Vietnam entry approval letter or entry clearance document, is a document considered and issued by the immigration authority based on the request of an inviting or sponsoring agency, organization or individual in Vietnam.
This document indicates that the foreigner has been approved from an immigration clearance perspective to enter Vietnam for a suitable purpose, such as employment, business, investment, family visit, study or another lawful purpose.
Depending on the case, after receiving the entry approval letter, the foreigner may proceed to obtain a visa at:
- A competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority overseas;
- A Vietnamese international border checkpoint if eligible for visa issuance on arrival;
- Or another method stated in the approval letter.
It should be noted that an entry approval letter is not the visa itself. It serves as the basis for the foreigner to proceed with visa issuance or entry according to the approved information.
When Do Foreigners Need a Vietnam Entry Approval Letter?
Not every entry case into Vietnam requires an entry approval letter. Currently, foreigners may enter Vietnam through different methods, such as e-visa, visa issued by Vietnamese overseas missions, visa exemption if eligible, valid temporary residence card or entry approval under an invitation/sponsorship arrangement.
An entry approval letter is commonly considered in the following cases:
- Foreigners entering Vietnam for work, business or project implementation;
- Experts, managers or technical workers invited by Vietnamese enterprises to work in Vietnam;
- Investors, company representatives or foreign partners entering under a sponsorship arrangement;
- Foreigners entering Vietnam for family visit with a suitable sponsor;
- Foreigners who need to receive a visa at a Vietnamese overseas mission or at an international border checkpoint according to the approved information;
- Cases requiring a visa type, validity or number of entries not suitable for a regular e-visa;
- Cases where the entry application requires an agency, organization or individual in Vietnam to invite or sponsor the foreigner.
Whether an entry approval letter is required should be determined based on nationality, entry purpose, stay duration, visa collection location and the foreigner’s current document status.
Who Can Invite or Sponsor a Foreigner to Enter Vietnam?
Under current regulations, an agency, organization or individual in Vietnam may invite or sponsor a foreigner to enter Vietnam if they meet the requirements applicable to the specific case.
For agencies, organizations or enterprises acting as sponsors, before carrying out the invitation/sponsorship procedure, the entity should have its legal documents notified to the immigration authority, including establishment license/decision and document introducing the authorized seal and signature if required.
For individual sponsors, the documents and forms may differ from those used by organizations or enterprises. For example, an individual sponsoring a foreign family member may use a separate form under the applicable regulations.
Therefore, before preparing the application, it is necessary to identify the inviting/sponsoring party: enterprise, organization, school, authority in Vietnam or individual.
What Is Form NA2 in an Entry Approval Application?
Form NA2 is the official request for screening and approval of a foreigner’s entry into Vietnam. It is commonly used when an agency, organization or enterprise in Vietnam invites or sponsors a foreigner to enter Vietnam.
Key information in Form NA2 generally includes:
- Information of the inviting/sponsoring agency, organization or enterprise;
- Information of the foreigner invited to enter Vietnam;
- Nationality, passport number, date of birth and gender;
- Entry purpose;
- Intended entry date;
- Requested visa validity;
- Number of entries;
- Visa collection location;
- Intended port of entry;
- Intended temporary residence address in Vietnam;
- Activity program or intended localities to visit if required;
- Contact person or managing entity during the foreigner’s stay in Vietnam.
Information in Form NA2 must be accurate and consistent with the passport, documents proving entry purpose, sponsor documents and the planned stay in Vietnam.
Types of Entry Approval Letters for Foreigners
An entry approval letter may be classified by entry purpose, visa collection location, number of entries and requested visa validity.
Classification by Entry Purpose
Depending on the case, an entry approval letter may serve purposes such as:
- Employment or work;
- Business or commercial activities;
- Investment;
- Family visit;
- Study;
- Conferences, events or projects;
- Other lawful purposes according to the actual dossier.
The entry purpose must be consistent with the requested visa type and supporting documents. For example, employment-related applications may require a work permit, work permit exemption confirmation or documents related to the working position; family visit applications require relationship documents; investment applications require documents proving investment activities.
Classification by Visa Collection Location
Depending on the approved information, the foreigner may collect the visa at:
- A competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority overseas;
- A Vietnamese international border checkpoint if eligible for visa issuance on arrival;
- Or another method according to immigration authority guidance.
The visa collection location should be correctly identified from the beginning. If the wrong visa collection location is selected or the travel plan changes after the approval letter is issued, the foreigner may encounter difficulties when obtaining the visa or entering Vietnam.
Classification by Number of Entries and Validity
Depending on entry purpose, sponsor documents and the decision of the competent authority, the entry approval letter may request a single-entry or multiple-entry visa with a suitable validity for the relevant visa category.
Common durations clients often ask about include:
- 01 month single entry;
- 03 months single or multiple entries;
- More than 03 months to 06 months multiple entries where applicable;
- Other validity periods according to visa type, dossier and current regulations.
It should not be understood that every case can apply for a 06-month or 01-year multiple-entry approval. The approved validity depends on entry purpose, sponsor documents, supporting evidence and the decision of the immigration authority.
Documents for an Entry Approval Letter Application
Documents for an entry approval letter application vary depending on the sponsor, entry purpose, visa collection location and actual dossier status.
In general, for enterprise or organizational sponsors, documents may include:
- Request for screening and approval of foreigner’s entry using Form NA2;
- Legal documents of the sponsoring enterprise or organization if not previously notified or if information has changed;
- Document introducing the authorized seal and signature if required;
- Copy of the foreigner’s passport;
- Documents proving entry purpose;
- Work permit, work permit exemption confirmation or related documents if entering for work;
- Investment documents, business registration or related materials if entering for investment or commercial purposes;
- Documents proving family relationship if entering for family visit;
- Acceptance document from a school/educational institution if entering for study;
- Intended temporary residence address in Vietnam;
- Additional documents requested by the immigration authority if any.
For individuals sponsoring foreign family members, separate forms and document groups may apply, which are not completely the same as the NA2 dossier used by enterprises/organizations.
Entry Approval Letter Application Process for Foreigners
The entry approval process may be carried out directly or online depending on the case, the sponsor’s electronic account and accompanying document requirements.
Step 1: Check Sponsorship Eligibility
The sponsor should check whether its legal documents have been notified to the immigration authority. If this is the first time the enterprise/organization invites or sponsors a foreigner, legal documents and the document introducing the authorized seal and signature should be prepared as required.
Step 2: Identify Entry Purpose and Suitable Visa Type
The foreigner’s entry purpose should be clearly identified, such as work, business, investment, family visit, study or another purpose. This purpose determines the visa type, supporting document group, visa collection location and requested validity.
Step 3: Prepare Documents and Complete Form NA2
The sponsor prepares Form NA2 and accompanying documents. Information in NA2 must be accurate, especially full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, entry purpose, intended entry date, visa collection location and temporary residence address in Vietnam.
Step 4: Submit the Application Through the Suitable Channel
Depending on the application, the sponsor may submit directly at the Vietnam Immigration Department or through the electronic portal if it has an account and meets e-transaction requirements.
In some cases, supporting documents must still be submitted, such as work permit, work permit exemption confirmation, documents proving family relationship, school acceptance document or other documents proving entry purpose.
Step 5: Track Application Status
After submission, the sponsor may track the application status using the electronic dossier code or electronic account. If the immigration authority requests supplementation or correction, the sponsor should respond promptly to avoid affecting the entry plan.
Step 6: Receive the Result and Notify the Foreigner
When the result is available, the sponsor receives the entry approval letter or result notification according to the applicable method. If approved, the foreigner should check the information in the approval letter and proceed with visa issuance at the approved visa collection location.
Where to Submit an Entry Approval Letter Application?
Depending on the case, an entry approval letter application may be submitted at:
- Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security;
- The Immigration electronic portal;
- National Public Service Portal or Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal if the relevant procedure is accepted online;
- Other competent authority if the application falls under a special category under regulations.
The specific submission channel should be determined based on the sponsor, entry purpose, visa collection location, accompanying documents and the sponsor’s electronic account status.
Processing Time for an Entry Approval Letter
Processing time for entry approval letters should not be understood as a fixed timeline for all cases. Under current administrative procedures, processing time may vary depending on the visa collection location and processing method:
- No more than 05 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier if the foreigner receives the visa at a competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority overseas;
- No more than 03 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier for certain cases where the foreigner receives the visa at an international border checkpoint;
- No more than 12 working hours for certain special cases eligible to receive the visa at an international border checkpoint under regulations.
However, when using Nhị Gia’s service, the actual timeline also includes steps such as consulting on entry purpose, reviewing sponsor documents, preparing documents, completing NA2, submitting the application, tracking processing status and correcting/supplementing documents if requested.
For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review dossier status, entry purpose, visa collection location, intended entry date and document requirements to advise on a suitable option. The actual timeline depends on dossier completeness, eligibility and the processing progress of the competent authority at the relevant time.
Common Mistakes When Applying for an Entry Approval Letter
Common mistakes include:
- Not identifying the correct entry purpose;
- Choosing the wrong visa type or requested visa validity;
- Selecting the wrong visa collection location;
- Incorrect passport information in Form NA2;
- Intended entry date does not match the actual travel plan;
- Intended temporary residence address in Vietnam is unclear;
- Sponsor’s legal documents have not been notified or have changed but not updated;
- Missing documents proving entry purpose;
- Failure to prepare supporting documents when the application requires a work permit, work permit exemption confirmation, family relationship documents or school acceptance document;
- Submitting the application too close to the intended entry date;
- Not tracking the application status after submission.
These mistakes may lead to additional requests, longer processing time or affect the foreigner’s entry plan.
Entry Approval Letter Service for Foreigners by Nhị Gia
An entry approval letter is a procedure that must be prepared carefully because it directly relates to the entry purpose, sponsor documents, visa collection location, visa validity and the foreigner’s entry plan.
With experience in Vietnam visas, entry approval letters, work permits, temporary residence cards, visa extensions, consular legalization and legal dossiers for foreigners in Vietnam, Nhị Gia supports enterprises, organizations and individuals in preparing entry approval applications based on each specific case.
Nhị Gia supports clients with:
- Advising whether the foreigner needs an entry approval letter or may use an e-visa/another suitable visa option;
- Identifying the entry purpose and suitable visa type;
- Reviewing legal documents of the sponsoring entity;
- Guiding registration or checking of the sponsor’s electronic account if needed;
- Reviewing the foreigner’s passport and personal information;
- Advising on the suitable visa collection location;
- Guiding preparation of documents proving entry purpose;
- Supporting completion of Form NA2 based on information provided by the client;
- Supporting application submission or guiding submission through the suitable channel;
- Tracking processing status and guiding document supplementation if required;
- Advising on post-entry procedures such as temporary residence declaration, visa, visa extension, work permit or temporary residence card;
- Supporting urgent, express or fast-track handling needs where applicable;
- Maintaining confidentiality of personal information and client dossiers.
For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review sponsor documents, document status, visa collection location, intended entry date and competent authority requirements to advise on a suitable handling option. If the dossier is eligible and information is complete, Nhị Gia will support clients in shortening preparation, review and submission steps as much as possible within the scope of service.
Nhị Gia has recorded a high rate of smooth handling for eligible applications that are fully, truthfully and properly prepared in accordance with the entry purpose. However, entry approval, visa issuance or permission to enter remains subject to the decision of the competent authority.
Nhị Gia Support Process for Entry Approval Letters
- Step 1: Information Collection. Nhị Gia collects information on nationality, passport, entry purpose, intended entry date, visa collection location, sponsor and planned stay in Vietnam.
- Step 2: Advising on the Suitable Entry Option. Nhị Gia reviews the foreigner’s case to advise whether an entry approval letter, e-visa, visa at a Vietnamese overseas mission, visa on arrival or another suitable option should be used.
- Step 3: Sponsor Dossier Review. Nhị Gia reviews the sponsor’s legal documents, electronic account if any, documents proving entry purpose and supporting materials required for the application.
- Step 4: Application Preparation and Submission. Nhị Gia supports completing Form NA2, organizing the dossier and submitting the application through the suitable channel, depending on dossier status and receiving requirements at the time of application.
- Step 5: Tracking and Result Delivery. Nhị Gia tracks application status, guides the handling of additional requests if any and delivers the entry approval letter/result according to the service agreement.
If you need to invite or sponsor a foreigner to enter Vietnam for work, business, investment, family visit, study or another suitable purpose, the correct application type, entry purpose, visa collection location and intended entry date should be reviewed before proceeding.
With experience handling various dossiers for foreigners entering Vietnam, Nhị Gia supports clients in preparing clear, purpose-consistent and case-appropriate applications. For urgent, express or fast-track handling needs, Nhị Gia will review the actual dossier status and advise on a suitable option.
Nhị Gia contact information:
- Address: 186–188 Nguyen Duy Street, Chanh Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 1900 6654
- Mobile hotline: 0906 736 7
- Email: info@nhigia.vn
