VIETNAM VISA TYPES FOR US EXPATRIATES - DETAILED APPLICATION AND FULL OVERVIEW

Friday, 08/12/23

It's undeniable that the number of US visitors to Vietnam is increasing day by day. They visit Vietnam for various purposes, and depending on their purpose, they must obtain a suitable Vietnam visa. Therefore, it's vital to find out the type of visa appropriate for the trip before traveling to Vietnam. Each type of visa will affect their entry and stay in Vietnam, whether it's for the short term or long term. This article aims to help US passport holders understand the common types of Vietnam visa, which document should be prepared before and after entry Vietnam if the US expatriates plan to work and live long-term in this beautiful country.

 

VIETNAM VISA CATEGORIES FOR US PASSPORT HOLDERS SHOULD KNOW

There are many types of Vietnam visas that US passport holders can apply for depending on each purpose and validity:

• Vietnam Business Visa (symbol: DN) The Vietnam Business Visa is a document that enables foreigners to enter Vietnam for business purposes. While other nationalities can only apply for a business visa with a maximum validity of three months and multiple entries, US passport holders can apply for a one-year business visa with multiple entries without a Work Permit. This policy is a special privilege provided by the Vietnamese government to the US expatriate.
   
• Vietnam E-visa: This visa is for US visitors whose purpose of entry is a short time and for tourist, and business activities, … E-Visa cannot be extended.
   
• Vietnam Tourist Visa (symbol: DL): This type of visa is for tourism purpose only.
   
• Vietnam Working visa or Working TRC (symbol: LĐ): This working visa can only be granted in case US expatriates have their Vietnam Work Permits.  
   
• Vietnam Dependent visa (symbol: TT): If the US worker labors has settle their job and having Vietnam Work permit & TRC, their family member can apply for TT visa based on the US expatriate’s sponsorship.
   
• Vietnam Investment Visa or Investment TRC (symbol: ĐT)

 

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PREPARE THE VISA & WORK PERMIT & TRC FOR US CITIZENS

US citizens who expect to have long-term working and living in Vietnam need to go through the below steps:

• Step 1: Short-term business visa
• Step 2: Work permit
• Step 3: Temporary residence card (TRC)

It is important for expatriates to be aware of the required documents and the process of preparing them before settling their plans to Vietnam. To assist US labor workers with their trip to Vietnam, we are pleased to provide the following documents that they should be aware of.

► The documents should be completed from US side before entering Vietnam

1. Passport: the remaining validity is over 06 months. If the validity is so short, we highly recommend the expatriates to renew their passport.

2. Background knowledge certificate

• Can be a Bachelor’s degree or higher degree, or any diploma, graduate certificate…
• Must be consular legalized for being used in Vietnam

3. Certificate of working experience:

• Confirmed by the foreign company with your information and job title, working time
• Must be consular legalized for being used in Vietnam

4. Police Check certificate or Non-criminal record:

• This document must confirm that you have no criminal history in the country
• Must be consular legalized for being used in Vietnam
• If you do not intend to do this document in the US, you can do Vietnam Criminal record certificate after entry.

5. Health check certificate:

• This document is to prove that you are fit to work
• Must be consular legalized for being used in Vietnam
• If you do not intend to do this document in the US as well, you can do the health check in Vietnam. We can share the list of hospitals or clinics that can do Work permit health checks for foreign expatriates.

6. Marriage certificate/ Birth certificate: this is for US citizens who wish to bring their family to Vietnam. And it would be a must to prepare for legalization for this document too.

 

► Choosing the appropriate visa for a specific purpose

If you're planning to stay in Vietnam for the long-term, it's important to choose the appropriate visa for your entry as it will impact your ability to apply for a long-term visa later on. If you're planning to work or invest in Vietnam as a labor worker, you can apply for a business visa (symbol: DN) at the first step. This visa will make it easier for you to apply for a TRC (Temporary Residence Card) later on.

If you don't choose the appropriate visa, the process of getting TRC (after Work permit done) is complicated, and costly, and may even require you to exit and re-enter the country with a new business visa.

 

► What documents need to be completed after entering Vietnam to apply for a work permit and TRC or long-term visa?

1. Temporary residential certificate: this is document should be prepared by the landlord of hotel/ apartment where you are living in Vietnam.
2. If you do not prepare Police check and Health check oversea, you will take your time to do these 02 documents in Vietnam.

 

HOW TO DO CONSULAR LEGALIZATION FOR US DOCUMENTS?

There are 02 options to do the legalization: in the US and in Vietnam. However, we always highly the expatriate to complete everything in the US, because not all document can be done in Vietnam. Please kindly see our sharing as below:

Option 1: CONSULAR LEGALIZATION IN THE US

• Authenticated/ Certified by Notary Public ⇒ Obtain Signature and Seal from State Secretary of State (State Authentication Office) ⇒ Obtain U.S. Department of State Authentication
• Legalized by Vietnamese embassy/ consulate in the US

 

Option 2:  CONSULAR LEGALIZATION AT THE US EMBASSY OR CONSULATE IN VIETNAM

• Certified by US embassy or consulate in Vietnam.
  Please note that academic credentials, commercial documents, and criminal background checks of U.S. origin cannot be notarized or authenticated by the Embassy/Consulate and must go through the authentication process in the United States. The list of documents that can and cannot be under proceed in Vietnam may be updated regularly, so you need to check with the US Embassy or US Consulate in Vietnam every time you want to do the legalization with them.
• Legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam

 

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VIETNAM VISA, WORK PERMIT, AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD

• A Comprehensive Guide to Implementation Work Permit Vietnam
• Requirements and Procedure of Vietnam Dependent Visa for Foreign Spouse
• Detailed Documents and Guidance Vietnam Business & Working Visa for Chinese Citizens
• Evisa Vietnam For Chinese & Indian - Detailed Guide on Procedure and Requirement
• Detailed Documents - Conditions & Fees for Vietnam Visa Extension & Renewal
• Legally Working in Vietnam - Business Visa - Work Permit - Residence Card Vietnam
• Losing Work Permit Vietnam – Detailed Steps and Checklist
• Guideline On Obtaining Vietnam E-Visa on Arrival for Ghana Passport Holders
• Latest Update Changes on Vietnam E-Visa for Foreigners 2023
• How Bangladesh Citizens Apply for Vietnam Business Tourist Visa Newest Update
• Vietnam Tourist Visa & Airport Fast Track Service for Foreign Visitors

 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Discovery Indochina Travel Co., Ltd
5th Floor | Platinum Building | 145 Dien Bien Phu Street, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam
Tel: 028 39102358 | 028 39102359 - Mobile: 0938228856 | 0906640505
Email: contact@ditravel.vn
www.visa5s.com | www.ditravel.vn