20 Different Types of Vietnamese Visas: Which One is Right for You?
There are about 20 types of Vietnamese visas, which can be classified by seven common criteria: entry purpose, application method, validity, number of entries, issuing authority, user, and extendability. Understanding each visa type helps both foreigners and individuals and organizations in Vietnam choose the correct type and apply effectively.
This article provides a breakdown of all Vietnam visa types, classification by seven criteria, and guidance on the conditions, procedures, and processing time of each visa type.
1- About Vietnam Visa
Getting a visa is the first and foremost step when planning a trip to any foreign country, including Vietnam. See the Vietnam visa overview and why choosing the right type is essential for your trip.
1.1. What is a Vietnam Visa?
A Vietnam visa is a legal document issued by the Vietnamese government to allow foreigners to enter, stay and exit Vietnam for a specific period on a valid entry purpose.
Visas to Vietnam are only granted to foreigners, and can be obtained through three methods: Vietnamese embassy/consulate (sticker or stamped visa), e-Visa (electronic visa), and visa on arrival (landing or airport visa).
Vietnam visas vary by entry purposes, validity, number of entries, and length of stay. Each type has a different symbol, conditions, and procedures to apply. Vietnam visas can be extended or converted to another type depending on the visa type. Using a visa for a purpose not mentioned on it is considered an immigration violation and may result in punishment.
1.2. Who needs a visa to Vietnam?
Foreigners not eligible for visa exemption
Foreigners eligible for visa exemption but wish to stay in Vietnam longer than exemption period
Investors, employees, technical experts, international students, foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens
Foreigners entering Vietnam for travel, business, research, work, study or long-term residence in Vietnam
1.3. Why need choose correct visa type
Law compliance: Using a visa for an appropriate entry purpose avoids violating immigration law, preventing fines or deportation.
Guaranteed rights: Each type of visa comes with different rights and validity. Choose the correct type to guarantee your legal stay is sufficient and aligns with your purpose.
Efficient application: Choosing the right type of visa helps you prepare accurate documents and follow the right procedures, which supports shortening review time and avoiding re-application.
1.4. Vietnam visa vs. Temporary residence card (TRC)
A visa is an entry permit that allows foreigners to enter and stay in Vietnam for a short-term period, ranging from a few days up to several months or years. Once it expires, you must either extend it or leave the country.
A TRC is a long-term residence document issued to eligible foreigners who already have a valid visa and meet specific conditions (commonly investors, long-term employees, or family members of Vietnamese citizens). The TRC allows you to enter Vietnam multiple times and stay continuously without repeated visa extension.
2- All types of Vietnam visa
Depending on the purpose of entry, Vietnam visas are categorized into over 20 types, including subcategories like ĐT1 to ĐT4 (based on the investment capital), LĐ1 - LĐ2 (based on a work permit required or not), etc. Each visa type has its own symbol and validity.
| Visa | Symbol | Purpose of entry | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | DL | Travel | 3 months |
| Work visa | LĐ1 - LĐ2 | Working | 2 years |
| Business visa | DN1 - DN2 | Short-term business | 12 months |
| Investment visa | ĐT1 - ĐT4 | Invest capital in Vietnam | 12 months - 5 years - 10 years |
| Visiting relative visa | TT / VR | Visit family members who are Vietnamese citizen | 12 months |
| Study visa | DH | Study abroad, research, internship | Based on course duration |
| Journal visa | PV1 - PV2 | For press and media | 12 months |
| Meeting/Conference Visa | HN | Attending events, conferences | Based on each event / conference |
| Diplomatic visa | NG1 - NG4 | For public affairs, politics, diplomacy | Based on term |
| Government Organization Visa | LV1 - LV2 | Work for state agencies, organizations | Based on term |
| Non-Government Organization Visa | NN1 - NG3 | Work in international organizations | Based on term |
| Electronic visa | E-visa | Travel, short-term business | 3 months |
3- Visa types by entry purpose
The entry purpose is the most common criterion for classifying Vietnam visa types.
3.1. Travel (DL)
Eligible for: Foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism, sightseeing, leisure (non-work purposes)
Validity: Up to 90 days
Common visa method: E-visa, sticker visa at Embassy/Consulate
Tourist e-visa cannot be extended while sticker visa may be considered extending
3.2. Work (LĐ)
Eligible for: Foreign workers having official contracts in Vietnam.
LĐ1 Visa: Foreigners exempt from work permits
LĐ2 Visa: Foreigners who are required to have work permits.
Validity: Up to 2 years
Work visas require a sponsor enterprise or organization in Vietnam and can be extended or converted to a temporary residence card if eligible.
3.3. Investment (ĐT)
Eligible for: Foreign investors or representatives contribute capital to Vietnamese enterprises.
ĐT visas include 4 types, based on capital investment:
ĐT1: From VND100 billion - Valid for up to 10 years
ĐT2: 50 - under VND100 billion - Valid for up to 5 years
ĐT3: 3 - under VND50 billion - Valid for up to 3 years
ĐT4: Under VND3 billion - Valid for up to 1 year
ĐT4 visas require a valid work permit, while ĐT1, ĐT2, and ĐT3 visas may not require one if visa holders meet all eligibility conditions.
Investment visas are extendable if foreign investors maintain legitimate investment activities in Vietnam
3.4. Short-term business (DN)
Eligible for: Foreigners entering Vietnam to work, cooperate with businesses, invest or carry out short-term business without signing a long-term labor contract.
DN1 Visa: Issued to foreigners working with companies and organizations that are legally registered and operating in Vietnam.
DN2 Visa: Issued to foreigners working with representative offices or branches of foreign enterprises in Vietnam, as well as with licensed international or non-governmental organizations.
Validity: Up to 1 year
Require a work permit if working long term in Vietnam (more than 30 continuous days or more than 90 days in 1 year).
3.5. Visiting relatives (TT, VR)
Eligible for: Spouses, parents, or children of Vietnamese citizens, or of foreigners who are legally residing in Vietnam.
TT Visa: Issued to relatives of foreigners who are legally working or studying in Vietnam.
VR Visa: Issued to foreigners who are direct family members of Vietnamese citizens.
Validity: Up to 12 months
Can be extended or converted to another purpose (e.g. work visa) if the sponsor meets all legal requirements.
Spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens can apply for a 5-year visa exemption if eligible.
3.6. Study (DH)
Eligible for: Foreign students studying and doing internships in Vietnam.
Validity: Up to 12 months
Can be extended if foreign students continue their study program at a legal educational institution in Vietnam.
3.7. Journal (PV)
Eligible for: Foreign reporters and journalists working in Vietnam.
PV1 visa: Resident reporter, licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
PV2 visa: Short-term reporter, with a clear schedule.
Requires a press license in Vietnam.
3.8. Meeting/Conference (HN)
Eligible for: Foreigners invited to attend conferences and seminars in Vietnam.
Validity: Upon event duration, not more than 30 days without an extended invitation.
3.9. Diplomacy, public affairs (NG, LV, NN)
NG1 - NG2: Issued to foreigners working in diplomatic agencies, state public service.
LV1 - LV2: Issued to foreigners working in state agencies, organizations.
NN1 - NN3: Issued to foreigners working in international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Validity: Based on term
3.10. Electronic visa (EV)
Eligible for: Citizens of all countries and territories in the world with valid passports and not subject to temporary suspension of entry to Vietnam.
E-visa is usually applied for purposes of entry like travel, business, visiting relatives, short-term conferences.
Validity: Up to 90 days
Vietnam e-visa cannot be extended.
