To work legally in Vietnam, foreign nationals must first obtain a work visa, which may be issued by a Vietnamese Embassy overseas or approved and granted by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Vietnam work visas are issued to foreign nationals who are exempt from work permit requirements or who have been granted a work permit, with the corresponding visa symbols being LĐ1 and LĐ2, respectively.
What Is a Vietnam Work Visa? Who Is Eligible?
A Vietnam work visa is a type of visa issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam for employment purposes. It applies to applicants who meet the conditions for either obtaining a work permit or qualifying for a work permit exemption under Vietnamese labour regulations.
Depending on each specific case, foreign nationals may be granted a Vietnam work visa under the code LĐ1 or LĐ2. Previously, this visa was generally coded as LĐ.
- LĐ1 visa: Issued to foreign nationals working in Vietnam who have a written confirmation that they are not subject to work permit requirements, unless otherwise provided under an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member.
- LĐ2 visa: Issued to foreign nationals working in Vietnam who are required to obtain a work permit.
The maximum validity period of a Vietnam work visa is no more than 02 years. In practice, if the foreign employee’s work permit is valid for less than 02 years, the validity period of the Vietnam work visa will generally be considered based on the validity period of the work permit, the passport validity and the decision of the competent authority.
Conditions for Applying for a Vietnam Work Visa for Foreign Nationals
To apply for a Vietnam work visa, foreign nationals must generally meet the following conditions:
- Have a valid passport or an international travel document.
- Have an inviting or sponsoring agency, organization or individual in Vietnam, except in cases where:
- An electronic visa is issued at the request of the foreign national or at the request of an agency or organization; or
- A visa is issued by a competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority overseas.
- Not fall under any case of suspension from entry into Vietnam.
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam for employment purposes must have a valid work permit or a written confirmation of work permit exemption.
Note: An electronic visa may be issued to foreign nationals who hold valid passports and do not fall under diplomatic visa categories.
Application Workflows for a Vietnam Employment Visa
To successfully secure an employment visa (LD1 or LD2), the sponsoring enterprise and the foreign employee may execute one of the two standardized pathways detailed below, contingent upon the current physical location of the applicant.
Scenario 1: The Foreign Employee is Currently Abroad
Step 1: Assembly of the Dossier for the Visa Approval Letter
The sponsoring corporate entity within Vietnam must compile the following statutory instruments:
- The original physical passport of the foreign national (must possess valid remaining validity).
- A certified true copy of the Work Permit (for the LD2 track) or the official Work Permit Exemption Certificate (for the LD1 track).
- A certified true copy of the Business Registration Certificate of the sponsoring entity.
- The official application form for a Vietnam Visa Approval Letter (Form NA2).
- Auxiliary corporate dossiers and legal instruments as mandated under effective immigration frameworks.
Step 2: Dossier Submission and Collection of the Receipt Slip
The designated representative of the enterprise submits the completed dossier to the competent Immigration Department. For tracks specifying visa collection at a Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission abroad, the entity must settle an additional telecommunication (Fax) transmission fee at the processing counter.
Designated Regional Submission Hubs:
- Northern Region Desk: The Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi: 44 – 46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinhdistrict, Hanoi Capital.
- Southern Region Desk: The Vietnam Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City: 333 – 335 – 337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Step 3: Adjudication and Retrieval of the Visa Approval Letter
Within 05 to 10 working days, subject to successful administrative audit, the Immigration Department will issue the formal Visa Approval Letter to the sponsoring organization. This instrument explicitly details the approved date of entry and the designated location authorized for physical visa stamping.
Step 4: Notify the Foreign Employee
After receiving the entry approval letter or relevant approval document from the Immigration Authority, the sponsoring company or organization will notify the foreign employee.
The company may send the approval letter to the foreign employee by email or courier so that the employee can proceed with the visa collection procedure at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate overseas or at the approved international border gate upon entry.
Step 5: Receive the Visa and Pay the Government Fee
This is the final step for obtaining the Vietnam work visa. After receiving the entry approval letter, the foreign national should carefully check the approved visa collection location and the valid period stated in the document.
In general, the visa may be received at one of the following locations:
- An international airport or eligible international border gate in Vietnam;
- A Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate overseas.
At the visa collection location, the foreign national will usually be required to complete Form NA1, attach a prepared 4×6 cm photo, submit the original passport and a printed copy of the entry approval letter, then pay the applicable visa issuance fee before receiving the Vietnam work visa.
Scenario 2: The Foreign Employee is Currently Residing Legally Within Vietnam
Step 1: Prepare the Application Dossier for Work Visa Extension in Vietnam
If the foreign national is already in Vietnam and needs to continue staying for employment purposes, they may carry out the procedure for work visa extension or visa issuance in Vietnam, depending on their current visa status and legal conditions.
Details on visa extension dossiers can be referred to in Nhị Gia’s guidance on Vietnam visa extension services.
Step 2: Submit the Dossier and Receive the Appointment Slip
After the application dossier has been fully prepared, the sponsoring company or organization may submit the dossier to the competent Immigration Authority, pay the applicable government fee and receive an appointment slip for result collection.
The dossier should generally be submitted to the Immigration Authority responsible for the area where the sponsoring company or organization is located, or through the applicable online/public service system where available.
Step 3: Receive the Vietnam Work Visa Result
If the work visa application or extension is approved, the Immigration Authority will return the result to the sponsoring company or organization.
After receiving the visa result, the foreign national and the sponsoring company should carefully check all information stated on the issued visa, including the full name, passport number, visa code, validity period and permitted stay period.
If any incorrect information is detected, it should be reported immediately to the handling officer or service specialist for timely support.
The issued visa will clearly show the validity period of the visa and the personal information of the visa holder.
How Long Does It Take to Apply for a Vietnam Work Visa?
The processing timeline for a Vietnam work visa depends on several factors, including the condition of the application dossier, the foreign national’s nationality, the work permit or written confirmation of work permit exemption, the sponsoring company’s information, the visa collection location and the review process of the competent authority.
Under the administrative procedure, an application for personnel review and entry approval may be processed within the statutory timeline when the dossier is complete and valid. In practice, however, the overall completion time may vary if the dossier requires supplementation, verification or correction.
Note: The processing timeline does not include Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or any additional time arising from special circumstances.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Vietnam Work Visa?
The government fee for a Vietnam work visa is collected in accordance with the immigration fee schedule issued by the competent authority. If the foreign national receives the visa at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate overseas, the actual fee may vary depending on the regulations and fee collection policy of each diplomatic mission.
In addition to government fees, other costs may arise, such as translation, notarization, consular legalization, document delivery, service fees or other support fees depending on each specific application dossier.
Under the current regulations of Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC, visa issuance fees for foreign nationals include:
| Type of visa | Government fee |
| Single-entry visa | USD 25 per visa |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for up to 90 days | USD 50 per visa |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for over 90 days to 180 days | USD 95 per visa |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for over 180 days to 01 year | USD 135 per visa |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for over 01 year to 02 years | USD 145 per visa |
The applicable fee may change from time to time in accordance with regulations issued by the competent authority. Applicants should therefore verify the applicable fee before carrying out the procedure.
Employment Visa Validity and Residence Regulations
Statutory provisions dictate that visas holding the symbols LD1 and LD2 are capped at a maximum validity period of 02 years. Nevertheless, for physical visas stamped directly into a passport, authorities typically restrict the approved duration to a maximum of 01 year. Foreign nationals planning long-term employment and residency in Vietnam are advised to apply for an employment-based Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
Temporary Residence Rules for Employment Visa Holders:
- Foreign nationals holding a valid LD1 or LD2 visa are eligible for a Temporary Residence Card bearing a matching symbol (LD1 or LD2 TRC).
- A standard passport-stamped employment visa yields a temporary residence stay not exceeding 12 months, whereas an employment-based Temporary Residence Card can be issued with an extended validity of up to 02 years.
Expedited and Optimized Employment Visa Solutions by Nhi Gia
An employment visa serves as the foundational legal prerequisite for foreign nationals to establish a compliant, long-term working life in Vietnam. If your enterprise seeks to eliminate administrative friction and secure rapid processing timelines, Nhi Gia is fully equipped to deliver an all-inclusive corporate solution.
Standing as a premier market authority in corporate global mobility management-specializing in Work Permits, Visas, and Temporary Residence Cards (TRC)-Nhi Gia remains the trusted partner of thousands of domestic and international clients. We guarantee an agile, highly secure pathway for your expatriate workforce:
- Premium Expedited Processing Tracks: For critical, time-sensitive corporate deployments, Nhị Gia can successfully navigate and secure your Employment Visa Approval Letter within an expedited window of just 2 to 4 hours.
- VIP Airport Fast-Track Assistance: For expatriates arriving via international airport border checkpoints who wish to bypass extensive queuing and administrative delays, Nhi Gia’s dedicated airport hospitality teams will coordinate on-site to finalize your visa stamping in the briefest turnaround time.
To receive an immediate strategic audit of your expatriate dossiers and review the latest labor mobility frameworks, please connect directly with Nhị Gia’s corporate desks via Hotline: 1900 6654. It is our distinctive privilege to drive your business continuity!
