Vietnam Visa Overview

According to the regulations of the Vietnamese Government, unless exempted under bilateral or unilateral visa waiver programs, all foreign citizens are strictly required to obtain a valid visa to enter Vietnam. Let’s explore with Nhi Gia the essential information regarding eligibility criteria, administrative procedures, and statutory fees for securing a Vietnam entry visa.

What is a Vietnam Visa?

“What is a Vietnam visa?” is a frequently asked question by clients who are applying for a foreign national’s entry visa to Vietnam for the very first time.

A Vietnam visa, formally known as a Vietnamese entry visa, acts as an official travel authorization that permits foreign citizens to legally enter Vietnam for various purposes, including tourism, business, investment, visiting relatives, studying abroad, and more. If a foreign national fails to present both a valid passport and an entry visa to immigration officers or competent state authorities, such an act shall be legally deemed as illegal entry.

Categories of Vietnam Visas

The classification of entry visas into Vietnam for foreign citizens is governed by Law No. 47/2014/QH13, amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14, and further updated under the latest Law No. 23/2023/QH15. It comprises 21 principal categories, including: LD1, LD2, DN1, DN2, DL, DH, DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, TT, VR, SQ, NG1, among others. In practice, visas can be systematically categorized based on the purpose of entry, the validity period/number of entries, and the location of visa issuance. Specifically:

Classification of Visas by Purpose of Entry

Based on the specific purpose of entry into Vietnam, the most prevalent visa categories include:

• Tourist Visa (DL)
• Business and Commercial Visa (DN1, DN2)
• Labor and Employment Visa (LD1, LD2)
• Dependent and Family Visit Visa (TT, VR)
• Investor Visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)
• Student/Study Visa (DH)
• Electronic Visa (EV) (Pursuant to the latest statutory modifications, the e-visa validity is extended up to 90 days, available for either single or multiple entries).

Other specific Vietnamese visa categories comprise:

• NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4 Visas: Issued to members of diplomatic missions, consular posts, and their accompanying dependents.
• LV1, LV2 Visas: Issued to foreign nationals entering to work directly with central-level state authorities, the Communist Party, the National Assembly, or the Government.
• LS Visa: Issued to foreign attorneys officially licensed by the Ministry of Justice to practice law in Vietnam.
• NN1, NN2 Visas: Issued to heads of representative offices, branches, or projects of international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Vietnam.
• NN3 Visa: Issued to foreign nationals entering to work directly at representative offices or branches of foreign traders or other foreign economic organizations in Vietnam.
• HN Visa: Issued to foreign individuals attending international conferences or conventions.
• PV1, PV2 Visas: Issued to foreign journalists and press members on permanent assignment or short-term work schedules in Vietnam.
• SQ Visa: Issued for special humanitarian or urgent cases under the administrative discretion of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad (as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 17 of the Immigration Law).

Classification of Visas by Number of Entries

Concurrently, when structured by entry allowances, Vietnamese visas are bifurcated into two foundational models:

Single-Entry Visa:

• 01-Month Single-Entry Visa
• 03-Month Single-Entry Visa With a single-entry visa, the holder is statutorily permitted to enter and exit Vietnam only once during the visa’s validity period. The moment the holder departs Vietnam, the visa automatically invalidates. To re-enter the territory, executing an entirely new visa application workflow is legally mandatory.

Multiple-Entry Visa:

• 01-Month Multiple-Entry Visa
• 03-Month Multiple-Entry Visa
• 06-Month Multiple-Entry Visa
• 01-Year Multiple-Entry Visa

Electronic Visa (EV) Multiple-Entry (Capped at a maximum of 90 days under the updated law). In strict contrast to single-entry frameworks, multiple-entry visa holders are not constrained by entry frequencies. Foreign citizens are granted the administrative right to enter and exit Vietnam continuously and repeatedly throughout the official duration printed on the visa without re-initiating preliminary approval requests.

Statutory Conditions for Obtaining a Vietnam Visa

Pursuant to prevailing legislative standards, the criteria to successfully secure an entry visa for a foreign national require that the applicant:

• Possess a legitimate passport or valid international travel documents complying with statutory validity timelines;
• Be officially invited or sponsored by an active agency, organization, or individual established within Vietnam. (Exceptions apply to Electronic Visas requested independently online or SQ visas issued under diplomatic discretion abroad);
• Not fall under any categories restricted or suspended from entry into Vietnam as defined under Article 21 of the Immigration Law.

Applicants falling under the following classifications must present airtight, statutory proof corroborating their specific entry purposes during the application:

1. Investors: Must provide official documentation validating their capital contribution or investment projects within Vietnam (e.g., Investment Registration Certificate, corporate capital share verification) in alignment with the Law on Investment;
2. Attorneys: Must possess a valid license to practice law in Vietnam officially issued by the Ministry of Justice;
3. Foreign Labor: Must present a valid Work Permit or an official Written Confirmation of Work Permit Exemption issued under the strict compliance standards of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP;
4. Students: Must possess an official, formalized acceptance letter issued by a certified Vietnamese school or educational institution.

Electronic Visa (E-visa) Note: An electronic visa is issued directly to foreign nationals holding valid passports, provided they do not fall under categories reserved for diplomatic visas (NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4).

How to Obtain a Vietnam Visa?

Currently, there are 3 prevalent and optimized methods for foreign nationals to secure a valid visa for Vietnam:

• Method 1: Applying independently for an Electronic Visa (E-visa) online. This is the most modern and widely utilized approach. Foreign nationals can directly submit their applications via the official Public Service Portal of the Immigration Department, settle the visa fees online, and retrieve their electronic visa to print out prior to travel.
• Method 2: Submitting a physical application at the Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission (Embassy or Consulate) abroad. This traditional method is generally reserved for long-term or specific visa categories requiring direct sponsorship, which usually involves longer processing times and more complex physical paperwork.
• Method 3: Utilizing a comprehensive visa service through a reputable agency. The sponsoring enterprise or the foreign applicant coordinates with a professional service provider to secure a pre-approved Visa Approval Letter first. Subsequently, the foreign national will obtain the official visa stamp upon arrival at Vietnam’s international airport checkpoints or at a designated Vietnamese diplomatic mission abroad.

Due to the efficiency, speed, and elimination of navigating complex Vietnamese legal procedures independently, the vast majority of corporations and international travelers prefer to engage authorized international travel agencies or professional immigration consulting firms in Vietnam for end-to-end processing support.

Procedures for Requesting a Visa via the Immigration Department

To successfully obtain an entry visa through the Vietnam Immigration Department, the foreign national must be officially invited and sponsored by an active agency, organization, or enterprise legally established in Vietnam. Securing a Visa Approval Letter is the foundational step of this process:

Step 1: Applying for the Vietnam Visa Approval Letter

The sponsoring enterprise in Vietnam, in coordination with our service specialists, will compile the core required information and documentation, including:

• A high-resolution, full-color scan of the foreign national’s passport information page;
• The scheduled date of entry and the designated entry checkpoint to receive the visa;
• The legal dossier of the sponsoring entity (Business Registration Certificate, etc.);
• Standard statutory application forms required by the Immigration Department.

Nhi Gia will fully prepare the compliance dossier, submit it, and handle all administrative representations at the Vietnam Immigration Department. Once successfully approved, we will deliver the official Visa Approval Letter to you via email.

Step 2: Executing Visa Stamping Procedures at Vietnam’s International Checkpoints

Upon receiving the Visa Approval Letter, the foreign national must print it out to present during flight boarding and prepare the following items to secure the visa stamp at the border checkpoint:

• The original passport (meeting validity requirements);
• A physical printout of the official Visa Approval Letter;
• 02 recent color passport-sized photos 4x6cm, white background, without glasses);
• The standard Vietnamese Visa Application Form (Form NA1) completely filled out.

At the visa-on-arrival counter of Vietnam’s international border checkpoint, the foreign national submits this application package and pays the statutory stamping fee to have the official visa affixed to their passport.

Statutory Fees for Vietnam Entry Visas

The official state fees for the issuance or extension of visas for foreign nationals are strictly governed by Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC issued by the Ministry of Finance. This statutory fee must be settled directly with the Immigration Department or the Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission abroad during the processing workflow:

Note: In addition to the fixed state fees listed above, depending on the specific profile characteristics, applicants or sponsoring entities may incur associated auxiliary costs, such as certified translation fees, consular legalization fees for foreign documents, and professional agency processing fees.

Symbols and Validity Periods of Vietnam Visas

The maximum statutory duration allowed for each specific visa symbol is strictly demarcated as follows:

• SQ Visa: Valid for a duration not exceeding 30 days.
• EV Visa (Electronic Visa): Valid for a maximum duration of 90 days for either single or multiple entries pursuant to the updated Law No. 23/2023/QH15.
• HN, DL Visas: Valid for a duration not exceeding 03 months.
• VR Visa: Valid for a duration not exceeding 06 months.
• NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2, and TT Visas: Valid for a duration not exceeding 12 months.
• LD1, LD2 Visas: Valid for a duration not exceeding 02 years.
• DT3 Visa: Valid for a duration not exceeding 03 years.
• LS, DT1, DT2 Visas: Valid for a duration not exceeding 05 years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What documents do I need to provide when utilizing visa services at Nhi Gia?

You only need to prepare and share the following basic details with us:

1. A clear, high-resolution color scan of the foreign national’s passport bio-page.
2. The intended date of entry and the desired duration of stay in Vietnam.
3. The preferred location to receive the visa stamp (an international airport checkpoint or a specific Embassy/Consulate).
4. The legal corporate profile of the sponsoring enterprise in Vietnam (a certified true copy of the Business Registration Certificate).
   Nhi Gia will professionally handle the drafting of all remaining intricate administrative forms. The client only needs to review, sign, and stamp the finalized documentation.

What must a foreign national prepare to secure a visa stamp at Vietnam’s international border checkpoints?

Upon arrival at the Vietnamese international border checkpoint (airport), the traveler must present the following package:

• The original physical passport (possessing at least 06 months of remaining validity and blank pages);
• A physical printout of the official Visa Approval Letter;
• A fully completed Form NA1 with an attached 4x6cm color photo;
• The statutory stamping fee in cash (USD or VND) in absolute accordance with Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC.

Professional Vietnam Entry Visa Services

Executing entry visa procedures for Vietnam demands that the sponsoring enterprise thoroughly understand legal administrative steps and accurately present corporate explanations to State authorities. For urgent entry requests, having a justified and professional approach is vital. To optimize your time, mitigate administrative friction, and eliminate unnecessary expenditures, partnering with a specialized corporate agency is highly recommended.

Discover the premium entry visa services offered by Nhi Gia:

• 20 Years of Market Expertise: We operate as a long-standing, trusted immigration partner for more than 5,000 top corporations and enterprises across Vietnam.
• Proven Track Record: Successfully processed over 1,000,000 application dossiers for international clients.
• Versatile Problem Solving: Capable of handling complex immigration profiles and diverse global nationalities.
• Uncompromising Standards: Guaranteed success rates, rapid processing timelines, and highly competitive pricing structures.
• Expedited Service Frameworks: Standard processing takes only 2 to 3 working days, with urgent express options available within 24 hours.
• Complimentary Compliance Consultations: Providing up-to-date legal insights regarding visa classifications, regulatory shifts, and associated documentation requirements.

We trust this comprehensive compliance guide on Vietnam entry visas delivers excellent value to your organization. Contact our specialist team today via Hotline 1900 6654 or email info@nhigia.vn to receive tailored procedural support and a competitive service quotation.