Vietnam Visa Types
Understanding Vietnam visa types is essential for any foreigner planning to visit Vietnam, whether for tourism, business, study, or work. Each type of visa comes with specific requirements, validity periods, and entry rules. This guide will help you navigate the different visa options, so you can choose the one that best fits your purpose of travel and ensure a smooth entry into Vietnam.
Types of Vietnam visas by purpose of entry
According to the new immigration regulations that took effect on July 1, 2020 (Law No. 51/2019/QH14), Vietnam visa is classified into about 21 main types by the purpose of visit, namely DL, DN1, DN2, NG, DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, LS, DH, LV, LD1, LD2, HN, PV1, TT, SQ, etc.
06 popular types of Vietnam visas are:
- Tourist visa (DL)
- Business visa (DN1, DN2)
- Student/internship visa (DH)
- Investor Visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)
- Working visa (LD1 – LD2)
- Diplomatic visa (NG)
Other main Vietnam visa types include:
| Vietnam Visa Type | Description | Validity |
| LV1-LV2 | Working with Vietnam authorities/parties | Maximum of 12 months |
| LS | Lawyer visa | Maximum of 5 years |
| NN1 | Members of delegations invited by the Secretary-General of Vietnam’s Communist Party, the President of Vietnam, the President of the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister. | Maximum of 12 months |
| NN2 | Members of delegations invited by standing members of the Secretariat of Vietnam’s Communist Party, Deputy President of Vietnam, Deputy President of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, President of Vietnamese Fatherland Front, Executive Judge of the People’s Supreme Court, Chief Procurator of the People’s Supreme Procuracy, State Auditor General; members of delegations at the same levels of Ministers, Secretary Generals of Provincial Communist Authorities, Presidents of the People’s Councils, Presidents of the People’s Committees of provinces. | Maximum of 12 months |
| NN3 | Members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations affiliated with the UN, representative offices of intergovernmental organizations and their spouses, children under 18 years of age, and housemaids during their term of office. | Maximum of 12 months |
| NN4 | Those coming to work with diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative offices of international organizations affiliated with the UN, representative offices of intergovernmental organizations and their accompanying spouse/children under 18 years old, visitors of members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations affiliated to the UN, and representative offices of intergovernmental organizations. | Maximum of 12 months |
| HN | Meetings/Conferences | Maximum of 3 months |
| DH | Student/Internship | Maximum of 12 months |
| PV1 | Journalists with permanent residence in Vietnam | Maximum of 12 months |
| PV2 | Journalists with short-term residence in Vietnam | Maximum of 12 months |
| TT | Dependents of LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1-LD2 visa holders, or foreigners that are parents, spouses, children of Vietnamese citizens. | Maximum of 12 months |
| VR | Family visits, other purposes | Maximum of 6 months |
| SQ | in the cases mentioned in Clause 3 Article 17 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 . | Maximum of 6 months |
| EV | Electronic visa | Maximum 30 days |
The following are details about those 6 most popular Vietnam visa types:
Tourist visas
A tourist visa is intended for travelers visiting Vietnam for leisure purposes only and is not valid for conducting business.
Vietnam tourist visas are categorized based on their validity and the number of entries:
- 30-day single-entry visa
- 30-day multiple-entry visa
- 90-day single-entry visa
- 90-day multiple-entry visa
Currently, there are two common ways to obtain a Vietnam tourist visa:
- Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA): suitable for travelers arriving by air who need their visa quickly.
- Vietnam e-visa: available for a single entry of up to 1 month and accessible to citizens of 80 countries.
Business visas
The second most common type of Vietnam visa is the business visa, which is classified as follows:
- DN1 visa: issued to foreigners who work with legally registered businesses or organizations in Vietnam.
- DN2 visa: issued to foreigners who come to Vietnam to provide services, establish a commercial presence, or engage in other activities under international agreements that Vietnam is part of.
Similar to the tourist visa, Vietnam business visas are also divided based on validity and number of entries:
- 30-day single-entry visa
- 30-day multiple-entry visa
- 90-day single-entry visa
- 90-day multiple-entry visa
Currently, there are two main ways to obtain a business visa for Vietnam:
- Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA): highly recommended for convenience.
- Vietnam e-visa
Student visas
A Vietnam student visa is granted to those who are attending a university course in Vietnam.
Normally this Vietnam visa type is arranged after arrival in Vietnam. You can enter Vietnam with a tourist visa, and then apply for a change in visa status at the Immigration Office after enrolling in the course. The easiest way to get this type of visa for Vietnam is to have an agency do it for you.
Work visas
A Vietnam working visa is one of the important Vietnam visa types, issued to foreigners who come to Vietnam for employment, such as teaching or other professional work. It is divided into two categories:
- LD1: for foreigners who work in Vietnam with a work permit exemption certificate, unless international agreements Vietnam is part of provide otherwise.
- LD2: for foreigners who are required to obtain a work permit to work in Vietnam.
This type of visa is valid for up to 2 years. If you plan to stay longer in Vietnam, you will need to apply for an LD temporary residence card, which can be valid for up to 2 years.
How to apply for a Vietnam work visa?
To apply for a work visa in Vietnam:
- Ask the company you will work for in Vietnam to obtain an LD visa approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department.
- Use this approval letter to get your visa stamped either at a Vietnamese embassy abroad or upon arrival at your entry point in Vietnam, depending on the type of approval letter issued.
Note:
- The key document for a Vietnam work visa is a work permit or a written confirmation of exemption from a work permit. If you do not have either, you can first apply for a business visa through the company you will work for. Once you have your work permit, obtaining a work visa becomes straightforward.
- Usually, a criminal record or health check is not required for a Vietnam work visa.
- The cost includes two fees: the visa approval letter fee and the stamping fee at the embassy or port of entry.
Investment visas
An Investor visa is issued to foreign investors or representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam. It is divided into four categories based on investment capital and validity:
| Visa Type | Eligibility / Investment Requirement | Validity |
| DT1 | Foreign investors or representatives with a capital contribution of VND 100 billion or more, or investing in sectors prioritized by the Vietnamese Government | Up to 5 years |
| DT2 | Foreign investors or representatives with a capital contribution from VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion, or investing in sectors encouraged by the Vietnamese Government | Up to 5 years |
| DT3 | Foreign investors or representatives with a capital contribution from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion | Up to 3 years |
| DT4 | Foreign investors or representatives with a capital contribution less than VND 3 billion | Up to 12 months |
Diplomatic visas
A Vietnam diplomatic visa is one of the official Vietnam visa types, issued to:
- Members of delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese ministries or high-ranking government officials.
- Consulate staff working in Vietnam.
- Individuals traveling for work with consulate members or visiting them briefly.
Diplomatic visas are usually free of charge, unless otherwise decided by the Vietnamese embassy or the applicant’s home country.
To apply, applicants must provide an official letter from their local government, consulate, or foreign embassy to the relevant authorities in their home country.
A diplomatic visa for Vietnam is valid for up to 12 months.
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Types of Vietnam visas by duration of stay and validity periods
Based on this classification, the main Vietnam visa types are generally divided into:
- 30-day single-entry visa
- 30-day multiple-entry visa
- 90-day single-entry visa
- 90-day multiple-entry visa
- 1-year multiple-entry visa
The main difference between a single-entry and a multiple-entry visa is the number of times you can enter Vietnam. A single-entry visa allows one stay within its validity period, while a multiple-entry visa permits several stays during the visa’s validity.
Entry Vietnam Visa offers an urgent Vietnam visa service for travelers who need to enter Vietnam on short notice. With fast processing times from 1 to 4 hours, our team ensures you receive your visa approval promptly, even on weekends or holidays. Get your visa quickly and travel with peace of mind.
Once you understand the different Vietnam visa types, you can confidently plan your trip or stay in Vietnam. Whether it’s a tourist visa, business visa, student visa, or work visa, knowing the requirements and validity will save time and prevent complications. For a smooth visa process, consider using professional visa services from Wexplore Vietnam to ensure your application is completed quickly and efficiently!