FULL COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON VIETNAM BUSINESS & WORKING & INVESTMENT VISA FOR FOREIGN EXPATRIATES

BUSINESS VISA

INVESTMENT VISA

WORKING VISA

Type

DN

ĐT

LĐ

Validity

Up to 3 months

Up to 10 years

Up to 2 years

Applicable objects

for foreigners entering to work or do business with Vietnamese enterprises for a short period. This is the most popular Vietnam visa and is often applied before foreigners can obtain the other visa types.

for foreign investors entering to invest in Vietnamese companies. The requirements for this visa may comprise of Investment Registration Certificate, Enterprise Registration Certificate, or other relevant documents.

for foreigners entering to work for governmental agencies and organizations; social-political organizations; social organizations; and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Like the Labor visa, foreigners must show evidence that they are working in those organizations to get this visa type.

BUSINESS AND WORK VISA

STEP 1:

OBTAIN THE BUSINESS VISA

It is quite easy to get a business visa for foreigners. The company/organization where the foreigners work or invest must sponsor them and send the visa requesting forms to the Immigration Department. Then, when the visa is approved, foreigners can enter and get the business visa at the land border gate or airport as a visa on arrival.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Information required (Nationality; Purpose of entering Vietnam; Estimated date of the foreigner's entry into Vietnam; Desired visa duration? (1 month/3 months); Number of entries? (Single/multiple); Where does the foreigner prefer to obtain the visa: Embassy/Consulate of Vietnam in which foreign country or Vietnam’s International Airport?)
• Foreigner's passport page;
• Business License of the sponsor company;

Other form to apply for a business visa…

STEP 2:

APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT

Foreigners must obtain the Work permit or Work permit exemption certificate. These two documents are issued by the local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs where the company (the employer of foreign labor) registers to operate.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Job position approval letter;
2. Written form applying for a work permit from the company (based on Form No. 11 under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP);
3. Vietnam Criminal Record or Police Clearance Certificate in the expat’s home country that has been consular legalized which is valid within the last 6 months from the date of applying;
4. Health Check-up Certificate which is valid within the last 12 months from the date of applying;
5. Photos size 4x6 cm (be taken with a bareheaded, frontal view, showing the face and ears, without glasses, and on a white background and within the last 6 months from the date of applying;
6. Original passport and notarized true copy of it;
7. For expert: Bachelor's or Master’s degree; Certificate of at least 3 years working experience in a position equivalent to the job position in Vietnam;
8. For manager: Company charter or operating regulations of agencies, organizations or enterprises; Business registration certificate or establishment certificate or establishment decision or other documents of equivalent legal value; and Resolution or Appointment Decision of agencies, organizations or enterprises.

STEP 3:

OBTAIN VIETNAM WORKING VISA

After successfully getting the above papers, foreigners can apply for the equivalent visa that they desire. Please note that if foreigners want to get a work visa to stay long-term in Vietnam.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Passport
• Current Vietnam Visa
• Work permit or Work permit exemption certificate
• Viet Nam entry approval letter
• Photo 3x4cm (For Chinese nationals only)
• Confirmation of temporary residence registration online
• Visa application form (NA5) for residence extension
• Document introducing seal and signature (NA16)
• Introduction Letter
• The business registration certificate.

INVESTMENT VISA

STEP 1

Foreign individuals and organization investors are applying for an Investment Registration Certificate & Enterprise Registration Certificate – One of the most important documents for investment purposes in Vietnam.

• Capital under 3 billion can only apply for a new visa with a maximum of 1-year multiple entries
• Capital over 3 billion and under 5 billion can apply for a visa with a maximum duration of 3 years

STEP 2

Applying for/ and obtaining a short-term investment visa (3 month single/ multiple entry) – an   appropriate visa for entry purposes of foreign investors – The procedure is through 2 steps in order

• Get a Pre-visa business/ investment approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security then
• Foreign investors obtain the completed visa at Vietnam’s international airports or Vietnam embassy/ consulate abroad.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Information required (Nationality; Purpose of entering Vietnam; Estimated date of the foreigner's entry into Vietnam; Desired visa duration? (1 month/3 months); Number of entries? (Single/multiple); Where does the foreigner prefer to obtain the visa: Embassy/Consulate of Vietnam in which foreign country or Vietnam’s International Airport?)
• Foreigner's passport page;
• Investment Registration Certificate and Business Registration with the name of the foreigner;
• Other relevant documents to prove the foreigner is a foreign investor are required by Vietnam laws.