The right visa is the foundation of every legal stay in Vietnam. Forra advises on the correct visa type for your situation, prepares the approval letter, and manages extensions and re-entry — keeping your team's status valid at every stage.
A visa grants permission to enter Vietnam and sets the initial duration of authorised stay. It is the first step for any foreign national. But entering on the wrong visa type, or letting a visa lapse while living or working in Vietnam, creates compliance risks that can affect both the individual and the employing company.
Vietnam's visa system uses a letter-and-number code to identify different visa categories — each with different eligibility rules, permitted activities, and maximum stay periods. Forra assesses which visa type is appropriate for the individual's role and situation, prepares any required approval letters or e-visa applications, and tracks upcoming expirations to ensure timely extensions or transitions to a Temporary Residence Card.
Visa vs. Temporary Residence Card: A visa is a short-to-medium term entry and stay document. A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is the preferred long-term solution for foreign nationals working or residing in Vietnam — it replaces the need for repeated visa renewals for up to 2 years at a time. If you or your employee will be in Vietnam for more than 3 months on a recurring basis, a TRC is usually the better route. Learn more about TRC →
Vietnam's Immigration Law defines more than 20 visa categories. For foreign nationals working in or visiting Vietnam for business purposes, the most relevant categories are listed below. The correct type depends on your role, employment status, nationality, and intended length of stay.
Issued to foreign nationals invited by a Vietnam-registered company for business purposes including meetings, negotiations, market research, or pre-employment visits. The inviting company must hold a valid business licence.
Issued specifically to foreign nationals who have been granted a work permit or confirmed work permit exemption and are entering Vietnam to commence employment. Required before the employment contract can be signed.
For foreign investors who have contributed capital to a Vietnam-registered company. The visa type varies by the size of capital contribution and the nature of the investment.
Vietnam's e-visa system allows citizens of eligible nationalities to apply online without visiting a Vietnamese embassy. Valid for a single entry only and suitable for short visits, initial market exploration, or first-time arrivals while a longer-term permit is in progress.
Activity restrictions matter: Entering Vietnam on a DN (business) visa does not authorise employment. Working under a DN visa without a valid work permit and LV visa is a compliance violation. Forra assesses the correct visa type for each individual's actual intended activities before any application is submitted.
Vietnam has bilateral visa exemption agreements with a growing number of countries, allowing citizens of those nations to enter and stay for a defined period without obtaining a visa in advance. However, exemption periods are typically 14 to 45 days, and cannot be extended indefinitely — once the exemption period is exhausted, a visa application is required for re-entry.
For foreign nationals planning to work in Vietnam or stay long-term, visa exemption is a useful entry mechanism but not a substitute for proper visa or TRC status. Forra advises on the correct follow-on steps once an exemption period is nearing expiry.
| Country Group | Exemption Period | Entry Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN member states (most) | 14–30 days depending on country | Single or multiple entry | 14–30 days |
| Western Europe (selected — e.g. Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain) | 45 days | Multiple entry | 45 days |
| Japan, South Korea, Russia | 15–45 days | Multiple entry | 15–45 days |
| Chile, Belarus, Kazakhstan (selected) | 15 days | Single entry | 15 days |
| Countries without exemption agreement | Visa required before entry | Visa on approval or e-visa | Visa required |
Visa exemption agreements change. Forra confirms current eligibility for your specific nationality before advising on the entry route. Ask us about your country →
Whether you need a new visa, an extension, or a first-time business visa for an incoming employee, Forra manages the full process. The steps below reflect the standard approval-letter route used for DN and LV visas.
Forra reviews the individual's nationality, intended activities, employment status (if applicable), and intended length of stay to confirm the correct visa category and entry route. If a work permit is also required, we coordinate both processes from the outset to avoid sequencing issues.
For DN and LV visas obtained via the approval letter route (most common for employer-sponsored visas), Forra prepares the application to the Immigration Department on behalf of the inviting company. The approval letter is issued to the company and used by the individual to obtain their visa stamp on arrival at a Vietnamese international airport.
With the approval letter in hand, the individual presents it at the visa-on-arrival counter at a Vietnamese international airport (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang) to receive the physical visa stamp. Alternatively, for certain nationalities or visa types, the stamp is obtained at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's home country before travel.
Forra advises on which route applies for each individual and provides a preparation checklist for the airport process, including the required passport photos and stamping fee.
Forra logs the visa expiry date from the moment of issuance and alerts the employer and individual at least 30 days before expiry. For individuals planning to remain in Vietnam long-term, we advise on the appropriate next step — whether that is a visa extension, a new visa application, or a transition to a Temporary Residence Card.
For foreign nationals who will be working in Vietnam for more than a few months, the Temporary Residence Card is usually the better long-term solution. Here's how the two options compare for an LV visa holder with a valid work permit.
| Factor | LV Visa | Temporary Residence Card (TRC) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum validity | Duration of work permit (up to 2 years) | Up to 2 years — same as work permit |
| Renewal frequency | Must be renewed with each visa expiry | ✓ Renewed in line with work permit renewal |
| Re-entry process | Multiple entry visa required for international travel | ✓ TRC holders can re-enter without a new visa |
| Dependent family members | Each family member needs a separate visa | ✓ Dependent TRC available for spouse and children |
| Access to local services | Visa-based — some services may require additional documentation | ✓ Simplified access to banking, healthcare, residency registration |
| Police registration (CT01) | Required within 24–48 hrs of arrival (employer obligation) | ✓ Handled as part of TRC residency registration |
| Best for | Short-term stays; initial period before TRC is issued | Anyone working in Vietnam for 3+ months |
Forra handles TRC applications as part of our Global Mobility services. Learn about the TRC application process →
A visa approval letter is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) authorising the named individual to obtain a visa stamp on arrival at a Vietnamese international airport. It is issued to the inviting company or individual in Vietnam — not directly to the applicant abroad.
On arrival, the individual presents the approval letter (printed) along with their passport, passport photos, and the stamping fee at the visa-on-arrival counter. The actual visa stamp is placed in the passport at the airport. This process is typically faster and more flexible than applying for a visa stamp at a Vietnamese Embassy abroad, as it can be arranged remotely by Forra without the applicant having to visit any office.
Yes — most visa types can be extended from within Vietnam before the current visa expires. The extension application must be submitted to the Immigration Department (or through an authorised agency like Forra) at least 5 business days before the visa's expiry date. Extensions are not guaranteed and are subject to the Immigration Department's discretion.
For DN (business) visas, a single extension of up to 90 days is typically available. For LV (labour) visas, the extension is tied to the validity of the underlying work permit. If the work permit has already been issued but the LV visa expires before the permit does, Forra manages the extension process to maintain continuous legal status.
Do not overstay. Overstaying a visa — even by one day — results in an administrative fine and can result in a re-entry ban. Forra tracks all visa expiry dates and alerts you well in advance.
No. A DN business visa authorises business-related activities — attending meetings, conducting market research, signing contracts, and similar commercial activities. It does not authorise employment or the performance of work under an employment contract. An employee must hold a valid work permit (or confirmed exemption) and an LV visa to work legally in Vietnam.
During the period between a work permit being applied for and being issued, it is common for individuals to be present in Vietnam on a DN visa for preparatory or non-employment activities. Once the work permit is granted, the visa should be updated to LV status before employment commences. Forra manages this transition as part of the work permit process.
A single-entry visa allows one entry into Vietnam during its validity period. Once the holder exits, the visa is considered used and a new visa is required to re-enter — even if the original validity period has not expired.
A multiple-entry visa allows unlimited entries and exits during the validity period without requiring a new visa application for each trip. For employees who travel internationally as part of their role — or individuals who need to leave Vietnam to renew documents — multiple-entry status is strongly recommended. Forra specifies the correct entry type when preparing approval letter applications.
If your employee entered Vietnam under a bilateral visa exemption, they can remain for the exemption period without a visa. However, they cannot work during this period without a work permit and LV visa — the exemption does not authorise employment. Once the exemption period expires, they must either exit Vietnam, apply for a visa before re-entry, or transition to TRC status (if a work permit is in place).
Forra advises on the correct transition pathway based on the individual's circumstances. In many cases, the most efficient approach is to begin the work permit and LV visa process while the individual is present in Vietnam on their exemption period, timing the applications to have the work permit and LV visa ready before the exemption expires.
CT01 is the police registration form that records a foreign national's place of temporary residence in Vietnam. It must be filed with the local ward police station (phường) within 24 to 48 hours of the foreign national's arrival at their residential address. The obligation rests with the accommodation provider — whether that is a hotel, landlord, or employer (if the company provides housing).
Hotels typically handle CT01 automatically. For individuals renting private accommodation, the landlord is responsible — but in practice, the employee or employer often needs to prompt or assist with this. Failure to register can result in administrative fines and complications for future visa and TRC applications. Forra advises on CT01 compliance as part of Residency Support services.
Vietnam's e-visa allows citizens of eligible nationalities to apply for a single-entry, 90-day visa entirely online through the Vietnam Immigration Department portal, without visiting an embassy or requiring a sponsoring company in Vietnam. Eligible nationalities include most European, North American, and many Asian nationalities — over 80 countries in total as of 2024.
The application is submitted online with a passport scan, photo, and application fee. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days. The e-visa is suitable for first visits, short-term business trips, or market exploration. For individuals who will be working, or who need to stay longer than 90 days, an LV or DN visa through the approval letter route (or a TRC) is the appropriate next step. Forra can assist with both the e-visa application and any subsequent visa or TRC applications.
Yes. Spouses and dependent children of foreign nationals holding a valid Vietnam visa or work permit can apply for their own visas to enter and reside in Vietnam. The applicable visa type for dependants is typically the VR (visit relative) or TT (family) category, depending on the circumstances.
For longer-term residence, dependent family members of TRC holders can apply for dependent TRCs, which allow them to reside in Vietnam for the same duration as the principal TRC holder. This is generally a better option than renewing visas repeatedly. Forra handles dependent TRC applications as part of our TRC service.
Confirm these before commissioning Forra. We identify the right visa type and process within one business day.
Book a free consultation with a Forra immigration advisor. We'll confirm the right visa type, check exemption eligibility, and give you a clear timeline.