Procedures for applying for VISA to Vietnam

In most cases, foreigners entering Vietnam will be required the VISA. Depending on the reason for entry, you can choose the appropriate VISA type such as DT1, DT2, DT3, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, LD1, LD2…

Some concepts you need to know

1. Entry: is the act of foreigners entering Vietnamese territory through Vietnamese border gates.
2. Visa: a document issued by a competent Vietnamese agency, allowing foreigners to enter Vietnam; Valid once or multiple times and cannot be converted for other purposes.
3. Visa exemption: visa is exempted in some cases such as having a temporary residence card or permanent residence card; or visa exemption according to the unilateral decision of the Vietnamese government…

Relevant legal documents:

Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014
Law on Entry, Exit,… amended 2019
Law on Exit and Entry… amended 2023
Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA regulates document forms related to the entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam
Circular 57/2020/TT-BCA amending Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA
Circular 22/2023/TT-BCA amending document forms attached to Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA

Conditions to be granted VISA:

1. Have a passport or valid international travel document. It must be valid for more than 6 months.
2. Invited by an agency, organization or individual in Vietnam (except for some exempt cases).
3. Not of these cases that are not allowed to enter the country (such as: expelled from Vietnam within 03 years; forced to exit Vietnam within 06 months; for disease prevented reasons; or natural disaster reasons…)

Invite and sponsor foreigners

Agencies, organizations, and individuals that invite and sponsor foreigners to enter Vietnam are organizations and units operating legally in Vietnam, such as: Enterprises established under Vietnamese law; Representative offices and branches of foreign traders; Representative offices of foreign economic, cultural and professional organizations in Vietnam; Other organizations with legal status according to Vietnamese law;
Vietnamese citizens residing in the country and foreigners holding permanent or temporary residence cards can also extend invitations and sponsor foreigners for entry into Vietnam.

Procedures for inviting and sponsoring foreigners

B0. Send a notice to introduce the unit (only applies to businesses, organizations…, individuals do not need to do this procedure). The profile includes:

1. Certified copy of the organization’s establishment license;
2. Document introducing the seal and signature of the organization’s authorized person (form NA16). Notification is only done once, when there is a change in content in the dossier, additional notification must be made.

B1. Submit visa application (NA2 form) to the immigration authority.
B2. Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the visa application, the management agency will respond to the inviting and sponsoring organization and notify the Vietnamese visa-issuing authority in Vietnam.

Visa issuance

After receiving the results of the invitation and guarantee steps, the foreigner will submit their passport, visa application form and photo to the Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad to be granted the Visa.
Foreigners can issue the Visa eigher at immigration authorities, competent agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or issue the Visa at international border gates (in cases such as: Departing from a country that does not have authority for issuing Vietnam’s visa); Passing many countries before coming to Vietnam; Entering Vietnam to visit or participate in a program organized by an international travel company in Vietnam. Entering Vietnam for family funeral ceremonies or visiting a seriously ill relative;…).

Note:

In the following cases, visa applications must have documents proving the purpose of entry:

1. Foreigners investing: must have documents proving investment in Vietnam according to the provisions of the Investment Law (eg capital contribution documents, investment certificates…);
2. Foreigners practicing law in Vietnam must have a practice license according to the provisions of the Law on Lawyers;
3. Foreigners working must have a work permit;
4. Foreigners coming to study must have a written acceptance from a Vietnamese school or educational institution

Once selected, the visa type cannot be changed (if you want to change, you will have to leave Vietnam to apply for another visa and re-enter), so you need to research carefully to choose the right one. Type of visa suitable to your needs.
Visa applicants can also choose either online procedures or in-person procedures at the visa issuing agency.
After entering the country, immigrants also need to make temporary residence confirmation to be able to stay in Vietnam.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact An Luat Vietnam. Our company, with a team of experienced lawyers and consultants, will advise customers on choosing the appropriate VISA type, preparing documents, as well as completing procedures to get a visa. Applying for a type of VISA that suits your needs; Ensuring legal safety and legitimate interests for all customer activities.