The Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate, commonly referred to as the 5-year visa (permitting a maximum continuous stay of up to 6 months per entry), is a valid immigration document for entering and exiting Vietnam. This certificate is issued to overseas Vietnamese or foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens residing abroad.
What is a Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate? Eligible Applicants
The Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is frequently termed a 5-year visa or a 5-year visa exemption certificate. This document serves as a direct substitute for a standard Vietnamese visa, permitting entry into the country for family visits or personal affairs.
As indicated by its name, the 5-year visa exemption certificate functions as a long-term, multiple-entry immigration instrument granted to the following categories of applicants:
- Overseas Vietnamese residing abroad (foreign nationals of Vietnamese origin who do not hold a valid Vietnamese passport);
- Foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens residing abroad.
The 5-year visa exemption is typically stamped directly into the applicant’s passport. However, a loose-leaf certificate will be issued in the following specific circumstances:
- The passport has run out of blank visa pages.
- The applicant holds a passport from a nation that has not yet established diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
- The applicant travels using valid international travel documents instead of a standard passport.
- Upon the explicit request of the applicant.
- For sensitive reasons pertaining to diplomacy, national defense, or state security.
Validity Period of the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate
Statutorily, the maximum validity of a visa exemption certificate is capped at 05 years, provided it is at least 06 months shorter than the remaining validity of the applicant’s passport or international travel document. Consequently, it is highly recommended that your passport or equivalent travel document remains valid for well over 5 years to secure the maximum allowed duration for your certificate.
Foreign nationals entering Vietnam utilizing a Visa Exemption Certificate are granted a temporary residence stay not exceeding 06 months per entry (if the certificate’s remaining validity is under 06 months, the stay is granted only until its expiration date). This temporary residence stay may be extended for an additional period of up to 06 months, subject to a justifiable and legitimate reason.
Eligibility Criteria for the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate
- Possess a valid original passport or an acceptable international travel document;
- Provide legal evidentiary documentation proving eligibility under the specified visa exemption categories;
- Not fall under any categories of individuals currently restricted from entry or subject to a temporary exit suspension under active regulations.
For overseas Vietnamese nationals residing abroad: Must present documents verifying their Vietnamese origin:
- Hold a foreign passport or an equivalent foreign travel document valid for at least 1 year;
- OR possess a valid permanent residence card (Green Card) issued by a foreign authority with at least 01 year of validity remaining (applicable only if the individual does not hold a passport or equivalent travel document).
For foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens: Must present authentic documentation verifying their relationship with the Vietnamese citizen:
- Hold a foreign passport or an equivalent foreign travel document with a remaining validity of at least 1 year.
Application Dossier for the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate
The foundational application dossier consists of:
- The official Application Form for Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate – Form NA9 (completed online and printed out).
- 02 recent passport-sized photos 4x6cm, taken against a white background.
- The original foreign passport or a valid international travel document.
For overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu), please prepare one of the following supplemental documents:
- A birth certificate; or
- A formal decision permitting the relinquishment of Vietnamese nationality, or a certificate confirming the loss of Vietnamese nationality; or
- An expired Vietnamese passport; or
- A Vietnamese National Identity Card / Citizen Identity Card (valid or expired), a Household Registration Book, an official Extract of Birth Records, etc.
For applicants who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese, please supplement:
The original copy of at least one legal document verifying the familial relationship:
- A Marriage Certificate; or
- A Birth Certificate; or
- An official Certificate of Parental/Filial Relationship; or
- Any other valid legal documentation demonstrating the relationship of spouse or child in accordance with the law.
In cases where documentary proof of Vietnamese origin is unavailable: The competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad will examine other relevant documents presented by the applicant that explicitly mention their Vietnamese origin to assess and decide on the acceptance of the application dossier.
Should you encounter any administrative obstacles or require professional guidance during the document preparation workflow, please contact our helpline immediately at 1900 6654.
Where to Submit the 5-Year Visa Exemption Application?
- At the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in your host country: Applicable if the applicant is currently residing abroad.
- At the Vietnam Immigration Department: Applicable if the applicant is currently holding a valid temporary residence status within Vietnam.
The Application Workflow within Vietnam
Step 1: Dossier Preparation. The applicant compiles all mandatory documents in strict alignment with the statutory checklist detailed above.
Step 2: Submission at the Vietnam Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security. The receiving immigration officer reviews the dossier’s legal validity and completeness. If the application is fully compliant, a physical receipt with an appointment date will be issued. If the dossier is incomplete or contains errors, the officer will provide structured guidance for refinement.
Operational Hours for Application Handling: Monday through Saturday weekly (excluding public holidays and Tet celebrations).
Step 3: Result Collection. The applicant presents the original receipt along with their National ID card or passport for verification. Upon successful verification, the applicant settles the official state fee and signs to receive the finalized visa exemption certificate.
Processing Timelines and Statutory Fees
Administrative Processing Time
From the date of receiving a fully compliant and valid dossier, the Vietnam Immigration Department or the designated Diplomatic Mission will review and issue the certificate. The standard processing timeline does not exceed 7 working days.
Official State Fees
The 5-year visa exemption fee may vary depending on the specific administrative tariffs applied by the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in each respective country.
When processed directly through the Vietnam Immigration Department within the country, the statutory fee for issuing a 5-year visa exemption certificate is fixed at 10 USD per certificate.
Professional 5-Year Visa Exemption Services by Nhi Gia
Successfully securing a 5-year visa exemption certificate demands a thorough command of domestic administrative protocols, precise proof-of-relationship documentation, and substantial time dedicated to coordinating with state departments. Engaging a professional service agency represents the most reliable, time-efficient, and effortless solution for your international mobility goals.
Partner with Nhi Gia – a premier consulting firm with over 20 years of stellar market experience specializing in global mobility and visa exemption processes. We deliver a comprehensive service ecosystem tailored for foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese, comprising:
- Professional Vietnam Visa services and expedited Visa Extensions.
- Temporary Residence Cards (TRC) and compliant Work Permits.
- Dual Citizenship consulting and full-service Repatriation processing.
- Conversion of foreign driving licenses into valid Vietnamese driving licenses.
Contact Nhi Gia today via our dedicated corporate Hotline 1900 6654 or connect via our website’s live chat to receive immediate, direct strategic support from our senior immigration consultants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a 5-year visa exemption certificate be extended upon expiry?
No. Once a Vietnam visa exemption certificate expires (or in the event it is lost, damaged, or requires information amendments), it cannot be extended. The applicant must execute the administrative procedure for a re-issuance of a new certificate in full accordance with the initial dossier requirements.
I intend to apply for the 5-year visa exemption, but my foreign passport has less than 5 years of validity remaining. How will this be handled?
If you apply using a passport valid for less than 5 years, the authority will issue a certificate with a validity period that is exactly 6 months shorter than your current passport’s remaining validity. To secure a full 5-year validity certificate, it is highly recommended to obtain a new passport prior to lodging your application with Nhi Gia.
What are the physical addresses for submitting a visa exemption application within Vietnam?
When lodging a visa exemption application directly within Vietnam, applicants may submit their files at the most convenient regional office of the Vietnam Immigration Department:
- In Hanoi: No. 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
- In Ho Chi Minh City: No. 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
