If you are planning to travel to Vietnam, it is crucial for you to understand your legal status. If a Vietnam visa is required, you should know which type of visa fits your trip purpose and itinerary to avoid any unexpected problems and save time and cost. The following article will give details on the various forms of Vietnam visas.
1. Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
As of 15 March 2022, Vietnam has reintroduced visa waivers for nationals of 13 countries, including the UK. This permits people from these countries to visit Vietnam for up to 15 days without applying for a visa.
Note: If UK citizens want to stay in Vietnam for more than 15 days, they must apply for a Vietnam visa from a Vietnam embassy or consulate.
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2. 6 Types and codes of Vietnam visa
When travelling to another country, knowing the visa application procedure is essential. Visas are usually issued by embassies and can be classified as the Vietnam visa length of stay or purpose of your trip.
2.1 By purposes
A Vietnam visa is required for UK citizens travelling to countries. Below are symbols of Vietnam visa options categorised for the visit that foreigners who want to apply for visas for Vietnam should equip themselves with to avoid unnecessary complications.
2.1.1 Tourist visa (DL)
A Vietnam tourist visa is issued to those travelling to Vietnam for tourism only (not other purposes). It is valid from one to three months, depending on the type of visa. Furthermore, for a Vietnam visa for the UK, applicants have one extra option for obtaining a tourist visa in Vietnam: Vietnam has a one-year multiple-entry visa. There are currently three ways to get a visa to visit Vietnam: getting a visa on arrival, applying for a visa at an embassy, or obtaining an e-visa.
A tourist visa is provided to visitors entering Vietnam solely for tourism
2.1.2 Business visa (DN)
One of the most popular types of Vietnam visa is a Vietnam business visa, which can be categorized into 2 types:
- DN1 visa is for foreigners working for businesses or other organisations with legal status by the laws of Vietnam.
- The DN2 Visa is issued to foreigners who come to Vietnam to work or set up business there. It is granted under international treaties between Vietnam and other countries.
A Vietnam business visa, like a tourist visa for Vietnam, is classified into four types based on its validity and number of entries: a 1-month single entrance visa, a 1-month multiple entry visa, a 3-month single entry visa, and a 3-month multiple entry visa. In addition, UK travellers to Vietnam have 01 more option for a tourist visa to Vietnam: Vietnam 1 year multiple entry visa. There are two ways to get a business visa to Vietnam: the visa on arrival (VOA) and the traditional embassy visa.
Business visas in Vietnam are issued to foreigners who work for businesses or other organisations in Vietnam
2.1.3 Student visa (HD)
This Vietnam visa is appropriate for students studying in Vietnam. Those taking a university program in Vietnam are awarded a Vietnam student visa. A student visa is commonly obtained after arriving in Vietnam. You can enter Vietnam on a tourist visa and then alter your visa status at the Immigration Office once you’ve enrolled in the course. The most convenient approach to obtaining this sort of visa for Vietnam is to have an agency do it for you.
2.1.4 Working visa (LD)
A Vietnam work visa is issued to foreigners who come to work in Vietnam, like teaching, etc. This extended temporary residence permit allows you to stay in Viet Nam from 2 to 5 years, depending on your profession. It is categorised into 2 types:
- LD1 – to be awarded to foreigners holding work permit exemption certificates who come to work in Vietnam, unless otherwise allowed for in international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.
- LD2 – to be provided to foreigners who require a work permit in Vietnam. This visa for Vietnam is valid for a maximum of two years.
To get a visa for a job in Vietnam, the company in Vietnam for which you will work should first request an LD visa approval letter from the Immigration Department, and then you will get stamped upon arrival at your port-of-entry.
Foreigners who come to work in Vietnam are granted a working visa Vietnam
2.1.5 Investor visa (DT)
A Vietnam investor visa is a visa granted to foreign investors in Vietnam. It is categorized as follows:
|
Type of Investor visa |
Meaning |
Length of stay |
|
DT1 |
Foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations operating in Vietnam with a capital commitment of at least VND100 billion or investing in the business sectors and incentive zones selected by the Vietnamese government would be eligible for this exceptional investment visa. |
5 years |
|
DT2 |
Foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital commitment of VND50 – under VND100 billion or participating in business areas designated by the Vietnam Government for investment incentives. |
5 years |
|
DT3 |
The DT3 permit is designed for foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital investment of less than VND50 billion. |
3 years |
|
DT4 |
DT4 is a visa for foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of less than VND3 billion. |
12 months |
2.1.6 Diplomatic visa (NN)
A Vietnam diplomatic visa is for diplomats or members of a delegation visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the Vietnamese ministries. The applicant can submit an official letter from their government agency and the concerned agencies in their home country to the Vietnamese embassy. This visa is valid for up to one year.
2.2 By length of stay and validity
The Vietnam visa regulations are determined by the Department of Consular Affairs (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Vietnam, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), as stipulated under Vietnamese law. The visa to Vietnam is typically categorized into multiple entry visa Vietnam and single entry visas:
- A 1-month single entry visa
- A 1-month multiple entry visa
- 3 months single entry visa
- a 6-month multiple entry visa
- 1-year multiple entry visa
The main difference between a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa for Vietnam is the number of entries into the country. A single-entry visa is valid for one stay in Vietnam during the validity period of the visa, while a multiple-entry visa allows several entry and exit trips within the duration of its validity period.
A multiple-entry visa allows for several entrance and departure journeys throughout the visa’s validity time
3. How to get a visa for Vietnam? Vietnam visa requirements
3.1 Apply for a visa at the Vietnamese embassy
Vietnam embassies are located in most countries worldwide. Therefore, you can apply for Vietnam visas from any Vietnam Embassy in any country. All you need to prepare are the visa requirements for Vietnam, such as the application form, passport, photo, and cash for visa processing charges. The procedure usually takes around five days, and most embassies allow applicants to apply for multiple-entry visas simultaneously.
Any Vietnam Embassy in any nation will let you apply for a visa
3.2 Apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA)
Vietnam visa on Arrival (VOA), also known as visa upon arrival or visa waiver, is a form that allows citizens of other countries to be granted a visa when entering Vietnam at the entry border.
Application: The visa approval letter is an important document that confirms your eligibility to apply for the visa on arrival at one of the major international airports in Vietnam. To get this visa approval letter, you must fill out an online visa application form with all the required information about yourself; pay for the service fee online via credit card or bank transfer within 5-7 working days. You fly into Vietnam with this document upon arrival at one of the international airports of Vietnam (Noi Bai / Tan Son Nhat/ Da Nang/Cat Bi/ Cam Ranh).
Processing time: Generally, your visa acceptance letter will be sent within two working days. You can receive the visa acceptance letter in emergencies within 4 – 8 hours.
Cost: The visa for Vietnam cost will depend on the length of stay and whether you are on a single or multiple-entry visa. The fee ranges between $25 and $135.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a quick and easy way to enter and remain in Vietnam
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3.3. Apply for an e-visa to Vietnam
E-visa Vietnam is a brand new entry visa for foreign tourists who are coming to Vietnam. You only need to register on the official website of E-visa, then complete visa application procedures according to instructions and pay the necessary fees. If the information is valid, a competent Vietnamese authority will issue an electronic visa to you and send it via email.
Application: An E-visa is valid for a single entry within 30 days of an embassy or consulate issuance. To successfully obtain your visa, you must prepare the following documents before applying for a Vietnam e-visa, including passports with a validity of at least six months filled with all information, two blank pages, a scan of the passport information page and a 25$ fee. Once you have completed all document preparation, you can proceed to the official website for Vietnam e-Visa Application.
You will then be able to access all the required information about your trip to Vietnam. To complete your application, you must upload .jpg copies of your passport data page and passport photo. The next step is filling up all the required info from your passport data page. Once done, please pay the visa fee using any accepted method. After you finish this process, you will be given a visa authorization code (VAC), including information about your trip. This VAC can be used for check-in at all 32 international checkpoints, including airports, seaports and land ports in VietNam.
Processing time: The Vietnam Immigration Department typically takes three working days to approve your application.
Cost: The cost of an electronic visa to enter Vietnam is $25.
The e-visa offers excellent convenience and flexibility for travelling
Important note: If you make any mistake while filling out the form, you will have no choice but to create a new application with higher costs.
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4. When do I need to extend or renew my Vietnam visa?
To extend your Vietnam visa, you must book an extension/renewal before your current visa expires. Visa extensions or renewals are available for people who want to stay in Vietnam for longer or need extra time to complete their travel plans or activities in Vietnam. You can apply for a visa extension or renewal at the Immigration Department Office when you arrive and submit your passport and requirements at the Immigration Department office.
| Type of visa | Meaning | Applicable Object | Duration & Fees |
| Visa extension | Extension of Visa is an action that is applied for foreigners who wish to prolong their current stay in Vietnam without leaving the country. You can extend your visa from 3 days to 3 months. The extension stamp on your passport indicates the new length of your stay. | You are permitted to get a visa extension based on a valid reason. The visa extension’s validity depends on the current visa type in Vietnam. You are allowed to extend your visa for one more month if you hold one month single or multiple entry visa or three months single or Multiple entry visa. |
|
| Renewal Visa | Visa renewal is nearly identical to a visa extension. Since you must pay the stamping and visa sticker fees when renewing your Vietnamese visa, it costs you more than the extension fee. | For those who travel to Vietnam for tourism, business, study or work. Your requirement for visa renewal validity is different from your current visa for individuals who wish to change from a single-entry visa to a multiple-entry visa (1 month or three months) |
|
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5. Vietnam visa’s latest policy
The updated and supplemented Law on Foreigners’ Admission, Leave, Transit, and Residence in Vietnam (Law No. 51/2019/QH14) specifies numerous additional aspects of foreigners’ entry and exit from Vietnam. It is worth mentioning that the policy of granting visas to foreigners is more transparent and open to foreigners’ convenience while entering Vietnam. Refer to policy maps if you want to know the countries briefly with popular passports.
Map of visa exemption policy for popular passport holders in various countries. (Source: Wikipedia)
6. Why choose Wolo Tour as the safest & fastest way to obtain your Vietnam visa?
WOLO Tour was established in 2007, providing Vietnamese visa assistance services for various countries worldwide. With its “Your Journey, Our Passion” philosophy, WOLO Tour has not stopped improving and developing our services over ten years of experience in this field. WOLO Tour pays excellent attention to completing visa approval letters as quickly as possible so that customers can travel to Vietnam with confidence and safety. In addition to offering Vietnam visa facilitation services for customers from different countries, WOLO Tour also provides valuable information about how to apply for a visa online, which is very helpful for you when travelling in Vietnam.
WOLO Tour specializes in offering Vietnam visa support services for many nations throughout the world
The Vietnam visa implementation procedures require users to understand the relevant documents and legal guidelines for visa extension. We hope the information in the above post is helpful. If you are seeking Vietnam visa services and require professional help from an expert, don’t hesitate to contact us at the details below for further assistance and support.
Wolo International Travel Service and Commercial Investment Joint Stock Company:
- Headquarter: 2nd floor – No 02, Alley 232, Yen Hoa street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Website: https://vietnamvisatourist.com
- Hotline: (+84) 918 21 2468
- Email: support@vietnamvisatourist.com
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