What Is Visa Exemption? Vietnam’s 2025 Visa-Free Entry Policy
What is visa exemption?
Visa exemption, also called visa-free or visa-waiver, is a Government policy allowing foreigners to enter a country for a specific period without applying for a visa in advance. This policy is a way to facilitate tourism, investment, diplomacy, and international exchange. The duration of stay of foreigners exempted from visa is usually specified in the agreement or decision of that country.
In 2025, Vietnam currently applies a visa waiver policy for foreigners who are citizens of 29 certain countries for different periods from 14 to 90 days. Besides, Vietnamese with foreign nationality, or Vietnamese with legal documents proving their Vietnamese nationality and their spouses and children can apply for a 5-year visa-free certificate and stay up to 180 days in Vietnam with multiple entries.
Unlike regular visas, which are required for most foreigners and need to be applied for in advance with a fee, the visa-waiver policy saves much time and money for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese.
Vietnam visa exemption policy
Who is eligible?
Visa waiver is not applied for everyone but citizens of certain countries that have an agreement, or to specific subjects as prescribed by law. Specifically:
- Citizens of countries unilaterally or bilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam law: Vietnam is currently waiving visas for citizens with ordinary passports of 29 countries, of which 15 are unilaterally waived and 14 are bilaterally waived (detailed list below).
- Overseas Vietnamese and relatives with a 5-year visa exemption certificate.
- Members of diplomatic missions, consulates, international organizations, with their family members, performing duties in Vietnam.
- Citizens of member countries subject to international treaties in effect with Vietnam
- Citizens of one or more certain countries, in some special cases such as international events, summits, tourism stimulus policies, according to a separate resolution of the Vietnam Government.
Conditions
In addition to holding ordinary passports from visa-exempt countries, foreigners must meet certain legal conditions to enter Vietnam legally. In more detail:
- Having a nationality belonging to the country in a unilateral decision or bilateral agreement with Vietnam. This list may change over time, so entrants need to stay updated to ensure eligibility.
- Having a passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry and at least 2 blank pages for the entry and exit stamp.
- Staying in Vietnam no longer than the visa exemption period.
- Not subject to cases of entry ban according to Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.
- Having a suitable and clear entry reason such as traveling, visiting relatives, or doing short-term business.
Validity & extension
The validity of a visa waiver for foreigners with ordinary passports: 14 to 90 days, depending on each nationality. For example:
- 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar
- 21 days: Philippines
- 45 days: Japan, Korea, Germany, Denmark, France
- 90 days: Chile, Panama
Visa exemption cannot be extended with ordinary passports. Therefore, foreigners must exit and re-enter to continue their visa waiver in Vietnam.
The visa-free period for overseas Vietnamese and relatives with a 5-year visa-free certificate is 5 years from the date of issue or according to the remaining validity of the passport (if less than 5 years).
The maximum length of stay is 180 days and can be extended for up to 180 days at the Immigration Department if there is a legitimate reason (visiting relatives, health,...).
List of countries exempted from a visa to Vietnam
There are currently 29 countries on Vietnam’s visa-free list (as of May 2025).
| Exemption policy | No. | Country | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unilaterally | 1 | Japan | 45 days | Resolution 44/NQ-CP, effective from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028 |
| 2 | South Korea | 45 days | ||
| 3 | Germany | 45 days | ||
| 4 | France | 45 days | ||
| 5 | United Kingdom | 45 days | ||
| 6 | Italy | 45 days | ||
| 7 | Spain | 45 days | ||
| 8 | Sweden | 45 days | ||
| 9 | Norway | 45 days | ||
| 10 | Finland | 45 days | ||
| 11 | Denmark | 45 days | ||
| 12 | Russia | 45 days | ||
| 13 | Switzerland | 45 days | Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP, Tourism Stimulus Program 2025 applied from March 1 to December 31, 2025 | |
| 14 | Czech Republic | 45 days | ||
| 15 | Poland | 45 days | ||
| Bilaterally | 1 | Chile | 90 days | Not for income-generating activities |
| 2 | Panama | 90 days | Not for income-generating activities | |
| 3 | Cambodia | 30 days | ||
| 4 | Indonesia | 30 days | ||
| 5 | Kyrgyzstan | 30 days | ||
| 6 | Laos | 30 days | ||
| 7 | Malaysia | 30 days | Traveling, press & media activities, conference, seminars, visiting relatives, business negotiation, investment, sport activities | |
| 8 | Singapore | 30 days | Not for income-generating activities | |
| 9 | Thailand | 30 days | ||
| 10 | Belarus | 30 days | Total residence time not exceeding 90 days in 1 year | |
| 11 | Kazakhstan | 30 days | No more than 90 days per 180 day period | |
| 12 | Philippines | 21 days | ||
| 13 | Brunei | 14 days | ||
| 14 | Myanmar | 14 days |
How to enter Vietnam under a visa exemption
To enter Vietnam under the visa-free policy, foreigners still need to comply with all procedures at the border gate.
Before arrival:
- Check if you are eligible for visa-free: nationality on the visa-free list, regular passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and not subject to an entry ban.
- Prepare documents including: original passport, round-trip air ticket (recommended), residence information (hotel, sponsor)
Upon arrival at the port: Present a valid original passport, receive an entry stamp with a specific stay period
Applying for a 5-year visa waiver for overseas Vietnamese
The 5-year visa-waiver policy is applied to overseas Vietnamese and relatives (spouse, children) with valid documents proving family relationships.
Prepare documents:
- Passport (original + notarized copy)
- Documents proving Vietnamese origin (birth certificate, household registration, old ID card, etc.)
- Documents proving family relationships (if applicants are relatives): marriage certificate, child birth certificate, etc.
- Application for visa exemption (according to the form)
- Documents of residence abroad (visa, green card, foreign nationality, etc.)
- A 4×6 portrait photo (white background, taken within 6 months)
Application: Submit all required documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department (if currently residing in Vietnam) or the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate (if staying abroad), pay the fee, and wait for the result.
Fee: USD 10 - 20 (upon locality).
Processing time: 5 – 7 business days since complete application and fee.
Exceptions to Vietnam’s visa exemption rules
Visa-free is not applied to all entry purposes. For some special cases, foreigners from visa-exempt countries are still required to apply for a visa, specifically:
- Foreigners entering Vietnam not for traveling, visiting relatives, or short-term business but for working, signing a labor contract, investing, long-term studying, or establishing a business.
- Foreigners staying longer than the validity of the exemption.
- Foreigners not meeting the exemption conditions at the time of entry (not showing a return flight ticket and residence information, using exemption for the wrong purposes, having previously violated Vietnamese law).
- Overseas Vietnamese and relatives using a 5-year visa-free certificate for wrong purposes (working, investing, studying, etc).
- Foreigners with temporary passports, travel documents that are not internationally recognized or expired.
Important notes
- Foreigners are not allowed to enter Vietnam unconditionally with a visa exemption. It is only valid for a certain period. Overstaying the exemption is a violation of the law and will be punished according to regulations. Multiple violations may lead to permanent denial of entry.
- Visa waiver is only applicable for purposes including traveling, visiting relatives, and short-term business. If foreigners enter Vietnam under a visa waiver for working without a work permit or doing business, he/she may be subject to administrative penalties, deportation, and a ban on entry for 1–5 years.
FAQs
How long is the time between two visa-free entries?
From 01/07/2020, foreigners entering under unilateral visa exemption after exiting Vietnam do not need to wait for 30 days for the next entry. They just need a valid passport and are not listed in the prohibited entry list to enter Vietnam again under the visa free policy. However, avoid entering Vietnam too many times continuously because it may be suspected of abusing the policy, and foreigners may be denied entry next time.
Can I come to work if I enter Vietnam under a visa waiver?
No. Entrants under visa waiver are not allowed to work in Vietnam.
Can a visa waiver be extended?
Visa waiver with an ordinary passport cannot be extended. However, the 5-year visa waiver certificate can be extended for up to 180 days with a legitimate reason (visiting relatives, health,...)
Do I need to exit Vietnam if I extend my stay with a 5-year visa-free certificate?
Before the expiration of the stay, you can apply for a temporary residence extension for up to 180 days at the Immigration Department, so you will not need to exit Vietnam.
Why am I visa exempt but denied entry at the Vietnam border gate?
If you cannot show your valid passport, or 5-year visa free certificate, or your return air ticket, prove your residence in Vietnam, or previously violate residence regulations, you may be denied entry to Vietnam.
Can I change my purpose from traveling to working if I enter Vietnam with a visa-waiver?
No. Visa exemption is not applied for working purposes. In this case, you need to exit Vietnam, apply for a Vietnam visa for work purposes, and re-enter Vietnam with a proper duration of stay.
What if my passport has a validity period shorter than the 5-year validity of the exemption certificate?
The 5-year visa exemption certificate has a maximum validity of 5 years and is at least 6 months shorter than the validity of the passport. It means your visa free certificate will automatically expire according to the remaining validity of the passport.
