What is a visa? Legal regulations on visas in Vietnam

What is a visa? A visa, also known as a visa, is an important document issued by Vietnamese authorities, allowing foreigners to enter and stay legally in Vietnam. Visas can be issued in passports, separately or through electronic transactions. This article provides legal regulations, visa procedures and visa exemption cases in Vietnam. Please refer!

What is a visa? Conditions for visa issuance

A visa, commonly known as a visa, is a type of permit issued by Vietnamese authorities to foreigners. Visas allow foreigners to enter and stay in Vietnam for a certain period of time and for a specific purpose. In other words, visas are the “key” for foreigners to be able to come and operate legally in Vietnam.

Conditions for being granted a visa are clearly specified in Article 10 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (revised 2019). Specifically, foreigners who want to apply for a visa need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a passport or valid international travel document: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry.
• There is an agency, organization or individual in Vietnam inviting or sponsoring: Except for cases of exemption as prescribed in Article 16a, Article 16b and Clause 3, Article 17 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014.
• Not included in the cases where entry is not allowed: As stipulated in Article 21 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, including cases such as: internationally wanted, have a history of terrorism, disrupt public order, or pose a risk of harming Vietnam’s national security, social order and safety,…
• Documents proving the purpose of entry: Depending on the purpose of entry (investment, work, study, practice law), foreigners need to provide appropriate documents such as investment documents, work permits, practice licenses, school acceptance documents,…
• Electronic visas are issued to foreigners who have passports and are not subject to provisions in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4, Article 8 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014.

Types of visas in Vietnam

Vietnam visas are classified into many different types, based on the purpose of entry and length of stay.

Classify visas by purpose

Based on the purpose of entry, Vietnam visas are divided into the following types, each type is denoted by a separate letter code:

• Travel (DL): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for the purpose of tourism, relaxation, and sightseeing.
• Work (DN): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to participate in business, commercial activities, conferences and seminars.
• Labor (LD): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to work for Vietnamese businesses and organizations.
• Investment (Tel): Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam.
• Visiting relatives (TT): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to visit relatives who are Vietnamese citizens or foreigners residing in Vietnam.
• Study (DH): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to study and research at universities, colleges, intermediate schools or other educational establishments.
• Other (VR): Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for other purposes that do not fall into the above categories, such as visiting acquaintances, medical treatment, participating in religious activities…

Classify visas by duration

Based on the length of stay, Vietnam visas are divided into two main types:

• Single entry visa: Allows foreigners to enter Vietnam only once. After leaving the country, the visa will expire.
• Multiple entry visa: Allows foreigners to enter Vietnam multiple times within the validity period of the visa.

Visa application procedures

Procedures for applying for a Vietnam visa include the following basic steps:

Step 1: Prepare documents

Customers need to prepare all required documents, including:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Visa application form (Model NA5).
• 01 newly taken ID card photo, size 4 x 6 cm, straight face, no hat, no glasses, polite clothes, white background photo if subject to a separate visa.
• Documents proving purpose of entry (depending on visa type).
• Financial proof documents.
• Round-trip airfare or airfare to a third country.
• Confirmation of hotel reservation or documents proving residency in Vietnam.

Step 2: Submit application

Agencies, organizations, individuals, Vietnamese citizens and foreigners legally residing in Vietnam, submit applications directly during office hours on weekdays at the Provincial Immigration Management Office, or Submit documents via the National Public Service Portal, or the Public Service Portal, of the Ministry of Public Security. And submit additional documents via the public postal service according to the notice of the Immigration Management Agency on the National Public Service Portal or Ministry of Public Security public service portal (if any).

Step 3: The officer receiving the dossier checks the legality and content of the dossier:

• In case the dossier is complete and valid, an appointment letter will be issued to return the results to the visa applicant; Request to pay the fee to the fee collection officer, the fee collection officer to collect the money, hand over the fee collection receipt to the visa applicant, or notify on the National Public Service Portal, or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security for the applicant to Apply for online payment visa and receive electronic receipt.
• In case the dossier is missing or invalid, the officer receiving the dossier will provide instructions or notify the National Public Service Portal or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security so that the visa applicant can complete the dossier.
• In case the application does not meet the conditions, the application will not be accepted and will be responded to in writing or notified on the National Public Service Portal or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security and clearly stating the reason.

Note:

• In case the application is submitted via the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security’s Public Service Portal and is under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department, the information will be transferred to the Immigration Department and the applicant will be notified.
• In case of online application, the visa applicant can request to receive the results via postal service and must pay the delivery service fee.
• Time to receive applications: From Monday to Saturday morning every week (except Tet and holidays).

Step 4: Get results:

• The visa applicant directly receives the results at the Immigration Management Department; When you come to receive the results, bring the results return appointment letter and payment receipt for comparison. In case you request to receive results via postal service, follow the instructions of the postal service provider.
• In case the visa has not been issued, respond in writing or notify the National Public Service Portal or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security and clearly state the reason.
• Time to return results: From Monday to Friday every week (except Tet and holidays).

In what cases are foreigners exempt from visas in Vietnam?

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 12 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (amended and supplemented 2019), in some cases foreigners are exempted from visa when entering Vietnam, including:

• Citizens of countries are exempted from visas according to international agreements and treaties to which Vietnam is a member: Vietnam has signed visa exemption agreements with many countries around the world. Citizens of these countries are exempt from visas when entering Vietnam for a certain period of stay.
• Users of permanent residence cards and temporary residence cards: Foreigners who have been granted permanent or temporary residence cards in Vietnam do not need to apply for a visa when entering the country.
• Vietnamese people residing abroad: Vietnamese people residing abroad with foreign passports and foreigners who are their spouses and children are exempt from visas when entering Vietnam.
• Other cases: Some other cases are exempted from visas according to the provisions of Vietnamese law, such as people entering border gate economic zones, coastal economic zones…

Consulting on a visa application in Vietnam

To ensure the visa application process is quick and compliant, you can contact us to receive professional consulting services. Services include:

• Consulting on choosing the appropriate visa type for the purpose of entry.
• Guide customers to prepare complete and accurate visa applications.
• Draft necessary documents such as invitation letters and letters of guarantee.
• Representing customers to submit visa applications at the competent authority.
• Monitor application processing progress and notify customers of results.
• Support customers to extend visas (if necessary).

Visa is an important document that allows foreigners to enter Vietnam. Customers need to carefully study the regulations on visas to ensure smooth entry. For advice and support on visa application procedures, please contact us via the hotline 0906735386.